kvarstå

Kvarstå is a Swedish verb meaning to remain, persist, or continue to exist. It is used to describe something that remains true or in effect despite time, changes, or unfolding events. The term appears in formal, analytical, and descriptive writing to indicate an ongoing status.

Grammatical notes: Kvarstå is intransitive and does not take a direct object. It conjugates regularly: infinitive kvarstå, present tense kvarstår, past tense kvarstod, and supine kvarstått. It is commonly used with a subject and may be accompanied by adverbs such as fortfarande (still) to emphasize persistence, for example “Omständigheterna kvarstår fortfarande.”

Usage and examples: The verb is frequently found in reports, assessments, and news prose. Examples include: Omständigheterna kvarstår trots ny information. Problemen kvarstod efter genomgången av materialet. Fynden kvarstod i rätten som bevis.

Etymology and related terms: Kvarstå is formed from kvar (“remaining”) and stå (“to stand”). It shares a semantic field with verbs like fortsätta (to continue), fortsätta att bestå (to persist), and upprätthålla (to uphold). While similar in meaning to keep on existing, kvarstå emphasizes the continued presence or status rather than an action initiated anew. In usage, it is more common in formal or literary Swedish than in casual speech.