waartegen

Waartegen is not a recognized term in standard Dutch. In contemporary usage it almost always appears as a misspelling or typographical error of waartegen, the compound relative pronoun meaning “against which.” The form waartegen is rarely, if ever, used in formal writing except when describing spelling variants or OCR artifacts.

Etymology and function: Waartegen is composed of waar (“where” or “which”) and tegen (“against”). It functions as a relative pronoun in Dutch, referring to a noun or proposition introduced by a preposition. It is used to connect a relative clause to the element it describes, particularly in formal or written Dutch. An example: “Het punt waartegen hij zich verzet, is nog onduidelijk,” meaning “the point against which he objects is still unclear.”

Usage and style: In modern Dutch, waartegen is the preferred form. Waartegen would be considered incorrect in standard contexts and is unlikely to be accepted in edited prose. When expressing objection or reference with a preposition such as against, writers typically use a straightforward construction with tegen or employ a separate relative clause, for example: “Het bezwaar tegen de maatregel” or “Het punt waartegen hij zich verzet.”

Orthographic notes: Earlier orthographies or nonstandard texts may show spelling variations, including waartegen, but these are not part of contemporary standard Dutch. In language descriptions or linguistic discussions, waartegen may be mentioned as a historical or typographical variant rather than as a living form.

See also: waartegen, Dutch relative pronouns, Dutch orthography.