änderten

änderten is the simple past tense (Präteritum) form of the German verb ändern, meaning to change, modify, or alter something. It is used in narrative or formal contexts to describe changes that occurred in the past. The form itself is not a noun; the corresponding noun is Änderung (change, modification).

Grammatical notes: ändern is a weak (regular) verb. The past participle is geändert, and the noun is Änderung. The Präteritum form ändern follows the standard endings for regular verbs in the simple past. Specifically, änderten is used with plural subjects: wir änderten, sie änderten, and Sie änderten. The second-person plural form is ihr ändertet, while er/sie/es änderte and ich änderte are singular forms. In practice, the Präteritum is more common in written German, whereas the Perfekt (hat geändert) is often used in spoken language: Wir haben den Plan geändert.

Usage and meaning: änderten is used to describe changes already carried out. Examples: Wir änderten den Plan. Sie änderten ihre Meinung. Die Firma änderten die Richtlinien. It is also possible to use ändern with reflexive constructions (sich ändern) to indicate transformation or adjustment of oneself, though the Präteritum form there is a different set of conjugations: er/sie/es änderte sich, wir änderten uns, etc.

Related terms: ändern (infinitive), geändert (past participle), Änderung (noun). The concept in German covers adjustments, modifications, and reforms, ranging from textual edits to policy changes.