vormende

Vormende is a Dutch adjective derived from the verb vormen, meaning to form or shape. It describes something that forms, shapes, or contributes to development, and is commonly translated as forming or formative in English. The word functions as a present participle and is used in attributive position before a noun or in predicative constructions.

Etymology and usage: Vormende comes from vormen plus the -ende participle suffix. It is frequently found in phrases that denote shaping influences or processes, such as vormende factoren (formative factors), vormende krachten (forming forces), or vormende ervaringen (formative experiences). In many academic or professional contexts, it signals that a phenomenon has a shaping or developmental role rather than just a descriptive one.

Examples and contexts: In education and psychology, vormende leerervaringen refer to experiences that contribute to a learner’s development. In sociology or anthropology, vormende krachten are the social, cultural, or economic forces that shape individuals or groups. The term can also appear with predicative use as in het proces is vormend, meaning “the process is formative” or “the process is shaping.”

Related terms: Vorming (formation) is the noun counterpart often used to discuss the act or result of forming. Other related phrases include vormende factoren, vormende processen, and vormingsbeïnvloeding.

Notes: Vormende primarily functions as an attributive adjective before a noun, but can also appear in predicative constructions. It is distinct from, yet related to, non-formative descriptors that merely describe current states without implying shaping influence.