Ambtelijk Nederlands
Ambtelijk Nederlands (Administrative Dutch) uses heavy, archaic words like 'dientengevolge' and 'mitsdien' to express 'consequently' or 'therefore'. While common in law and government, they are often replaced by 'daarom' or 'dus' in modern Plain Dutch.
How It Works
Ambtelijk Nederlands refers to a bureaucratic register characterized by complex syntax and archaic vocabulary. Two prominent examples are dientengevolge and mitsdien.
- Dientengevolge: A contraction of 'dien' (that) + 'te' + 'gevolge' (consequence). It means 'as a result of that' or 'consequently'. It establishes a direct causal link.
- Mitsdien: A compound of 'mits' (with/by means of) + 'dien' (that). It means 'therefore' or 'hence', often used to introduce a formal decision or logical necessity.
Grammatical Behavior:
Both words function as adverbial conjunctions. When they start a sentence or a main clause after a semicolon, they trigger V2 inversion, meaning the verb comes before the subject.
Modern Usage:
In contemporary Dutch, these are often labeled as 'wollig' (wordy/fluffy). Modern initiatives like Direct Duidelijk encourage writers to use daarom or dus instead to improve readability. However, you will still encounter them in legal documents and older government correspondence.
Examples (3)
- De bus had een defecte motor; dientengevolge kon de rit niet worden voortgezet.
The bus had a defective engine; consequently, the journey could not be continued.
Word by Word: The bus had a defective engine; consequently could the journey not be continued.
Note the inversion of 'kon' and 'de rit' following the connector 'dientengevolge'.
- De motie is door de indiener ingetrokken. Mitsdien maakt zij geen onderwerp van stemming meer uit.
The motion has been withdrawn by the submitter. Therefore, it is no longer a subject of voting.
Word by Word: The motion is by the submitter withdrawn. Therefore makes she no subject of voting more out.
'Mitsdien' acts as a formal concluding connector here.
- Hij weigerde de instructies op te volgen en werd dientengevolge op staande voet ontslagen.
He refused to follow instructions and was consequently dismissed immediately.
Word by Word: He refused the instructions up to follow and was consequently on standing foot dismissed.
Here, 'dientengevolge' is placed in the middle of the sentence, following the auxiliary verb 'werd'.
Common Mistakes
Confusing 'mitsdien' (therefore) with 'mits' (provided that).
Ik kom naar het feest, mitsdien het niet regent.Ik kom naar het feest, mits het niet regent.'Mits' introduces a condition, while 'mitsdien' introduces a result. Using 'mitsdien' here changes the meaning to 'I am coming to the party, therefore it is not raining,' which is illogical.
Using administrative terms in casual conversation.
Different MeaningIk heb geen honger; dientengevolge eet ik niet.Ik heb geen honger, dus ik eet niet.'Dientengevolge' is correct Dutch, but it belongs to formal, legal or bureaucratic writing. In daily talk it sounds stiff or funny. Use 'dus' or 'daarom' in ordinary speech.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Administrative Dutch (Ambtelijk Nederlands) is a high-level register used by government and legal institutions. To understand it, learners must first be comfortable with formal written Dutch, specific formal modal constructions like 'dienen te', and formal conjunctions that replace everyday speech.
- Academic/Official Dutch
Administrative Dutch is a specific subset of formal written Dutch, requiring an understanding of high-register vocabulary and sentence structures.
Level 5 - dienen + te + InfinitiveOught to (Formal)
The construction 'dienen te' is a core grammatical feature of administrative and official Dutch used to express obligation.
Level 4 - indienIf (Formal)
The formal conjunction 'indien' is frequently used in administrative contexts instead of the more common 'als'.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- Juridisch Nederlands
Administrative Dutch is a subset of legal Dutch, sharing many archaic structures.
Level 6 - daarom/echter/bovendienDaarom, Echter, Bovendien
These are the modern, standard equivalents for logical connectors.
Level 4 - mitsMits (Provided That)
Often confused with 'mitsdien', 'mits' is the formal word for 'provided that'.
Level 4 - Verb-second Rule
Both 'dientengevolge' and 'mitsdien' trigger inversion when placed at the start of a clause.
Level 3 - Case Endings in Fixed Phrases
These words are fossilized examples of the old Dutch case system (dative endings).
Level 6
Words in This Pattern
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