soutenaient

Soutenaient is the imperfect tense, third-person plural form of the French verb soutenir, meaning that they were supporting, sustaining, or backing something or someone over an extended past period. It is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past rather than a completed act.

Etymology and meaning: The verb soutenir derives from the Latin subtenēre, meaning to hold up or support, through Old French and Middle French into modern French. The imperfect form soutenaient reflects a habitual or continuous action in the past and can apply to physical support, moral encouragement, financial backing, or defending a position.

Usage: In narrative or descriptive writing, soutenaient sets the scene by indicating continuing support. It can refer to concrete acts (carrying someone, providing resources) or abstract backing (advocating a policy, backing a cause). The form must agree with a plural subject, as in ils soutenaient or elles soutenaient. It is often contrasted with the passé composé soutenu or passé simple soutint to mark different aspects of past action.

Examples:

- Ils soutenaient leurs amis pendant la tempête, offrant refuges et encouragement.

- Les villages soutenaient le projet de loi, malgré les risques économiques.

- Pendant des années, elle soutenait l’équipe financièrement et moralement.

Notes: Soutenaient is commonly used in historical or literary contexts to convey a sense of ongoing support. Its synonyms include appuyer, soutenir, encourager, and, in some contexts, défendre, depending on the nuance of backing involved.