vorwerfen

Vorwerfen is a German verb meaning to reproach or to accuse someone of something. It is used to express that a person is blaming another for a specific action, fault, or behavior. The construction typically follows the pattern jemandem etwas vorwerfen, with the person in the dative and the thing in the accusative, or it can introduce a subordinate clause stating the accusation.

In present tense, vorwerfen is a separable-prefix verb. The prefix vor- separates from werfen in the conjugated form: ich werfe dir vor, du wirfst ihm vor, er wirft uns vor. In perfect tense the prefix remains attached: er hat ihm etwas vorgeworfen. The preterite form is erwarf vor (rarely used in speech today; preferred is er hat … vorgeworfen).

Common usage and nuance: vorwerfen conveys moral or ethical disapproval and is stronger than general criticism. It is often used in personal disputes, legal or formal contexts, and in reporting statements such as allegations. It should be distinguished from synonyms like beschuldigen (to accuse, more formal) or vorhalten (to reproach or remind). The phrase can be followed by a specific item or by a clause: Ich werfe dir vor, dass du zu spät gearbeitet hast, or Ich werfe dir vor, dass du die Vereinbarung gebrochen hast.

Etymology and scope: Vorwerfen combines vor- (in front of, forward) with werfen (to throw), figuratively meaning to throw a fault in someone’s face or to present an accusation. It is primarily used with a direct object in the accusative when specifying the matter, or with subordinate clauses to state the accusation.

See also: beschuldigen, vorhalten, anklagen.