When making deals or setting boundaries, you often need to state strict conditions. In English, we say "provided that" or "on the condition that." In Dutch, you use the word mits.
| provided that | mits |
Mits is a subordinating conjunction. Just like other subordinating conjunctions, it introduces a dependent clause, which means it pushes the conjugated verb to the very end of that clause.
| We reach an agreement, provided that you deliver the products faster. | Wij bereiken een akkoord, mits u de producten sneller levert. |
Negotiations and agreements
In formal situations or business negotiations, you will often weigh the advantages (het voordeel) against the disadvantages (het nadeel). You can use mits to accept an offer as long as your strict conditions are met.
| He wants to negotiate, provided that every disadvantage disappears. | Hij wil onderhandelen, mits ieder nadeel verdwijnt. |
| We accept every disadvantage, provided that the advantage is big. | Wij accepteren elk nadeel, mits het voordeel groot is. |
Fixed prepositions in conditions
Certain verbs that are common in agreements pair with fixed prepositions, such as voldoen aan (to meet/satisfy a requirement) and instemmen met (to agree with).
When these verbs are used in a dependent clause with mits, the preposition stays directly with the noun it refers to, while the conjugated verb is still pushed to the end of the sentence.
| I sign the same agreement, provided that they meet the condition. | Ik onderteken dezelfde overeenkomst, mits zij aan de voorwaarde voldoen. |
| We are happy to negotiate, provided that you agree to this rule. | Wij onderhandelen graag, mits u met deze regel instemt. |
