soulèvent

Soulèvent is the third-person plural present indicative form of the French verb soulever. It means to raise or lift, either in a literal sense (physically lifting objects) or in a figurative sense (triggering a reaction, provoking questions or unrest). For example, ils soulèvent des boîtes lourdes (they lift heavy boxes) or ces propos soulèvent des inquiétudes (these remarks raise concerns).

Etymology and usage context: The verb soulever derives from Old French and ultimately from the Latin sublevare, meaning to lift up. In modern French, soulever covers both physical lifting and figurative raising of issues, moods, or tensions. The form soulèvent is used when the subject is a plural group.

Conjugation notes: The standard present tense forms of soulever include je soulève, tu soulèves, il/elle soulève, nous soulevons, vous soulevez, and ils/elles soulèvent. The accent on the first é or è helps indicate the correct pronunciation in various forms; soulèvent specifically uses the grave accent on the e before the -vent ending.

Related terms: The related noun soulèvement means uprising or rebellion, reflecting the figurative use of raising or lifting up in a collective sense. Other related forms include the infinitive soulever and the past participle soulevé.

See also: soulever, soulèvement, lever.