zijweigerden

Zijweigerden is the past tense third-person plural form of the Dutch verb weigeren, meaning they refused. In standard Dutch, this is written as two words: zij weigerden. The combined form zijweigerden is not the conventional orthography, but may appear in text search or informal writing. The phrase is used in narrative and reported speech to indicate that a group declined an action, proposal, or demand.

Conjugation and grammar: Weigeren is a regular Dutch verb. In the past tense, the relevant forms include ik weigerde, jij/weigerde, wij/weigerden, jullie/weigerden, zij/weigerden. The perfect tense is formed with hebben geweigerd (bijvoorbeeld Zij hebben geweigerd). Weigeren typically governs infinitives or clauses such as om te + infinitive, or a bare infinitive, as in Zij weigerden om te vertrekken or Zij weigerden de uitnodiging te accepteren. Negation can be placed with niet or geen, depending on the sentence.

Usage and nuance: The verb conveys an active stance of refusal rather than mere reluctance. It is common in formal, historical, or reported contexts, and appears in news reports, legal language, and narrative prose. Phrases with zij weigerden are often followed by a reason, condition, or alternative action, clarifying what was refused and why.

Related forms: The present tense is weigeren (ik/weig er), with present tense forms such as ik weiger, jij weigert, hij weigert, wij weigeren. The past tense forms align with standard Dutch verb conjugation patterns, and the perfect tense uses geweigerd.