prüfend

Prüfend is the present participle of the German verb prüfen, meaning to test, examine, or verify. It is mainly used as a participle to indicate the act of checking something and is formed from prüfen by adding the -end ending. In practice, it occurs most often in attributive or adverbial function rather than as a standalone noun.

As an attributive adjective before a noun, it takes the ending -ende: prüfende Haltung (a scrutinizing attitude), prüfende Augen (scrutinizing eyes), prüfende Instrumente (instruments used to test). The form is declined like an adjective: die prüfenden Beobachtungen, dem prüfenden Experten, einer prüfenden Prüfung.

Predicative or adverbial use expresses how an action is performed: Der Prüfer betrachtete den Plan prüfend. Die Jury schaute prüfend auf die Daten. Less common is the use of the participle without a following noun, but it can occur in literary or formal prose to convey manner or attitude.

Grammar notes: The present participle is not a noun; it remains a verbal participle. It should not be confused with the noun Prüfer (examiner) or the noun Prüfung (examination). In many contexts, synonyms such as kontrollierend, überprüfend, or testend may be preferred for clarity.

In translation, prüfend corresponds roughly to “testing,” “scrutinizing,” or “examining,” depending on context. It is more common in formal or descriptive writing than in everyday speech.