volgden

Volgden is the simple past tense form of the Dutch verb volgen, meaning to follow. It is used with plural subjects to describe actions that occurred in the past, such as following a person, a path, or a set of instructions. The corresponding singular past tense form is volgde (ik volgde, jij volgde, hij/zij/het volgde). The past participle of volgen is gevolgd, which is used with the auxiliary hebben to form perfect tenses (ik heb gevolgd, wij hebben gevolgd).

Etymology and relation to other languages: volgen originates in Middle Dutch volgen, with cognates across the Germanic language group. It is closely related to the English verb follow, reflecting a common Proto-Germanic root. The past tense ending in -den is the standard plural past tense marking in Dutch, used with wij and zij.

Conjugation overview (simple past, indicative):

- ik volgde

- jij volgde

- hij/zij/het volgde

- wij volgden

- jullie volgden

- zij volgden

Usage notes: Volgden can describe physical following, such as walking behind someone, or figurative following, such as adhering to rules, trends, or instructions. In narrative writing, it commonly appears to place actions in sequence. In spoken Dutch, the form is unambiguous for plural subjects, while the singular forms are distinguished by ending -de (volgde) rather than -den.

See also: volgen (to follow); volger (follower); gevolgde (past tense form in various contexts when agreeing with gender/number in compound structures).

In sum, volgden is a standard, widely used grammatical form in Dutch that marks past actions by plural subjects and is part of a family of forms built around the verb volgen.