ställdes

ställdes is the simple past tense in the passive voice of the Swedish verb ställa (to place, to set, to pose). It is used when describing an action that was carried out to or on the subject by someone else in the past. The form is common in formal writing, reporting, and narrative prose where the agent performing the action is unknown or not important.

In usage, stelle sentences with past passive show that something was placed, arranged, or posed. Examples include: "Frågan ställdes till regeringen" (The question was posed to the government), "Bordet ställdes på plats" (The table was set in place), and "Middagen ställdes fram för gästerna" (The dinner was laid out for the guests). The sense can also extend to figurative meanings, such as questions or issues being raised.

Grammatical notes: The present passive form of ställa is ställs (is placed), while the past passive form isställdes (was placed/was set). The active past tense of the verb is ställde (he/she placed). The past passive form aligns with the subject in number, and it is typically used in declarative sentences in past contexts. The form biedt a concise way to shift focus from the doer to the action or result.

Etymology and relatives: ställa belongs to the Germanic family of verbs related to the English set and the German stellen. The Swedish present and past passive forms, including håll and -des endings, reflect historical development of the language’s passive constructions.