liegenden

Liegenden is a form of the German present participle liegend, derived from the verb liegen, meaning to be in a horizontal position or to be located. In modern German, liegend functions mainly as an adjective when the participle is declined to agree with a noun. The form liegenden occurs in declined adjective usage, particularly in the plural or in various cases.

In terms of declension, liegend can take several endings depending on gender, number, and case. Examples include:

- der liegende Mann (nominative singular masculine)

- die liegende Frau (nominative singular feminine)

- das liegende Haus (nominative singular neuter)

- die liegenden Häuser (nominative plural)

- den liegenden Mann, die liegende Frau, das liegende Haus (accusative)

- dem liegenden Mann, der liegenden Frau, dem liegenden Haus (dative)

In plural, the definite article form yields die liegenden Berge, den liegenden Bergen, etc.

Common uses of liegenden include descriptions of location or orientation. For instance, in geology one might speak of liegende Gesteinsschichten (rock layers that lie horizontally). In geography or cadastral contexts, liegende Gebiete or liegende Grundstücke can describe areas or properties that are situated in a particular place. The participle liegend (and its inflected forms such as liegenden) contrasts with gelegenen, the past participle meaning “located” in a completed sense, which is used differently.

Etymology traces liegend to the verb liegen, related to the Proto-Germanic root for lying or being located. The form liegenden is thus an inflected adjective produced from the same root, used to express the state or position of a noun.