volstonden

Volstonden is the past tense plural form of the Dutch verb volstaan, which means to suffice or to be adequate. It is used to describe a situation in which the conditions, resources, or requirements were sufficient for a given purpose. In modern Dutch, the present tense forms volstaat (singular) and volstaan (plural) are common, while volstonden appears primarily in past-tense contexts and is more typical in formal, literary, or historical writing.

Usage and context

Volstonden appears when referring to past sufficiency. For example, in historical texts or formal reports, one might encounter a sentence equivalent to “The funds were sufficient,” rendered as “De middelen volstonden.” In contemporary everyday Dutch, speakers more often use the present tense or rephrase to emphasize sufficiency in the past.

Etymology

The verb volstaan derives from Middle Dutch volstaan, itself related to vol- meaning “full” and staan meaning “to stand.” The construction conveys the idea that something “stands full” or is enough to meet the needs. The past tense volstonden is the inflected form used with plural subjects.

Related forms

- Infinitive: volstaan

- Present singular: volstaat

- Present plural: volstaan

- Past plural: volstonden

Notes

Volstonden is generally considered archaic or formal in contemporary speech and writing. It remains a valid historical or literary form and can appear in older Dutch texts, legal documents, or analyses of historical events.