verlieten

Verlieten is a form of the Dutch verb verlaten, meaning to leave or to abandon. Verlieten specifically functions as the imperfect (simple past) tense form used with plural subjects, as in zij verlieten. The corresponding singular past tense form is verliet (for example, hij verliet).

Usage and meaning

Verlaten is a transitive verb, typically taking a direct object, such as een gebouw, een dorp, of een relatie. Verlieten in the past tense is used in narrative or historical contexts to describe actions that took place in the past. In modern spoken Dutch, the perfect tense hebben verlaten is often preferred to convey past action, but the imperfect form remains common in literature and formal writing.

Forms

- Infinitive: verlaten

- Present tense: ik verlaat, jij verlaat, hij verlaat, wij verlaten, jullie verlaten, zij verlaten

- Imperfect past (plural): wij verlieten, jullie verlieten, zij verlieten

- Imperfect past (singular): hij verliet, zij verliet

- Past participle: verlaten

Examples

- De reizigers verlieten het station toen het treinvertrek begon. (The travelers left the station as the train departure began.)

- Ze verlieten rustig de zaal en moesten later terugkeren. (They left the hall quietly and had to return later.)

- Ze hebben het gebouw verlaten en keren niet terug. (They have left the building and will not return.)

Etymology and related notes

Verlaten derives from the Dutch verb verlaten, with the prefix ver- and the root laten, historically linked to leaving or allowing. The prefix ver- often marks change of state or completion. Verlaten is irregular in its past tense forms, distinguishing the plural verlieten from the singular verliet.

See also

Dutch verbs with simple past forms; contrast with verlaten in the perfect tense (zij hebben verlaten).

---