vorgeschlagen

Vorgeschlagen is the past participle of the German verb vorschlagen, which means to propose or to suggest. It is used both in perfect tenses with auxiliary haben and as an adjective meaning “proposed” or “suggested.” As a participle, vorgeschlagen can describe nouns in attributive position or function in predicate constructions.

Etymology and form: Vorschlagen is formed from the prefix vor- (forward, before) and the verb schlagen (to strike, to hit) in a sense development that means to put forward for consideration. For separable-prefix verbs, the past participle does not carry ge-; the correct form is vorgeschlagen.

Usage: In sentences, one may say, “Ich habe einen Plan vorgeschlagen,” meaning I proposed a plan. In passive or report-like contexts, one can encounter, “Es wurde ein Vorschlag vorgeschlagen” or “Es wurden vorgeschlagene Maßnahmen diskutiert.” In attributive use, “die vorgeschlagenen Änderungen” or “die vorgeschlagenen Kandidaten” describe items that have been proposed.

Nuances: Vorschlagen emphasizes the act of putting forward an idea for consideration, whereas empfehlen denotes endorsement or advice to follow a course of action. The phrase vorgeschlagen wird can occur in formal or administrative language, scientific reporting, and media coverage when referring to ideas, measures, or candidates that have been put forward for discussion.

See also: vorschlagen, Vorschlag, vorgeschlagen.