vorgeschobene

Vorgeschobene is the attributive form of the past participle vorgeschoben, derived from the German verb vorschieben, meaning to push forward, advance, or present. In usage it functions as an adjective describing something that has been put forward or proposed, most often an argument, reason, or justification. In journalism and politics the phrase vorgeschobene Gründe or vorgeschobene Begründung is common and typically implies that the stated justification may be a pretext or not entirely genuine.

As a participial adjective, vorgeschobene declines like a normal German adjective. Examples include der vorgeschobene Grund (masculine singular), die vorgeschobene Begründung (feminine singular), das vorgeschobene Argument (neuter singular), and die vorgeschobenen Gründe (plural). In genitive and dative forms the endings adjust accordingly, for example eines vorgeschobenen Grundes, einer vorgeschobenen Begründung, den vorgeschobenen Gründen.

Predicative use is possible as well, particularly in passive constructions or after sein: Die Gründe waren vorgeschoben. In practice, vorgeschobene Gründe are usually contrasted with actual or alternative motives, and the term can carry a critical or evaluative nuance, suggesting that the presented justification is questionable or a pretext rather than a candid motive.

See also: vorschieben, Partizipialadjektiv, Begründung, Argument.