mits

Mits (Provided That)

Level 4

Mits is a formal way to say 'provided that'. It introduces a strict condition that must be met for the main action to happen. It is the positive counterpart to tenzij (unless).

How It Works

The word mits is used to express a necessary condition. If you use mits, you are saying that 'A' will happen only if 'B' is true.

1. Word Order
Because mits is a subordinator, it triggers subordinate clause word order (SOV). This means the conjugated verb(s) must appear at the very end of the clause.
Example: Ik kom, mits het niet regent. (I am coming, provided it doesn't rain.)

2. Register and Usage
You will rarely hear mits in a supermarket or at a party. It belongs to the formal written style. In daily life, Dutch speakers prefer als... tenminste or op voorwaarde dat. However, in contracts, terms of service, or official announcements, mits is the standard choice.

3. Shortened Clauses
In very formal contexts, mits can be followed directly by a past participle to create a shortened clause.
Example: Brieven worden verzonden, mits voldoende gefrankeerd. (Letters will be sent, provided [they are] sufficiently stamped.)

4. Mits vs. Tenzij
It is crucial not to confuse mits with tenzij. Mits introduces the requirement for success, while tenzij introduces the exception that causes failure.

Examples (4)

  1. U kunt het product retourneren, mits de verpakking ongeopend is.

    You can return the product, provided that the packaging is unopened.

    Word by Word: You can the product return, provided the packaging unopened is.

    This shows the standard use of 'mits' in a professional context with the verb 'is' at the end.

  2. De wedstrijd gaat door, mits het stopt met regenen.

    The match will proceed, provided it stops raining.

    Word by Word: The match goes through, provided it stops with raining.

    Note how 'stopt' moves to the end of the conditional clause.

  3. Toegang is gratis, mits vooraf aangemeld.

    Entry is free, provided you have registered in advance.

    Word by Word: Access is free, provided beforehand registered.

    This is a shortened clause using a past participle, common in formal notices.

  4. Wij accepteren uw voorstel, mits u de prijs verlaagt.

    We accept your proposal, provided you lower the price.

    Word by Word: We accept your proposal, provided you the price lower.

    A typical business negotiation sentence using 'mits'.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 'mits' with 'tenzij' (unless).

    Ik ga niet naar buiten, mits het regent.
    Ik ga naar buiten, mits het niet regent.

    The incorrect example literally says 'I am not going outside, provided it rains,' which is logically backwards. Use 'tenzij' for exceptions or 'mits' for requirements.

  • Using 'mits' as a preposition with a noun.

    Mits betaling sturen wij het pakket.
    Mits er betaald is, sturen wij het pakket.

    In standard Dutch, 'mits' should introduce a full clause with a verb, not just a noun. Alternatively, use 'na betaling' (after payment).

  • Using 'mits' in casual conversation.

    Different MeaningIk kom naar je feestje mits ik tijd heb.
    Ik kom naar je feestje als ik tijd heb.

    While grammatically correct, 'mits' sounds overly stiff and bureaucratic when talking to friends. Use 'als' or 'op voorwaarde dat' instead.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

mitsLevel 4Mits (Provided That)

Learn This First

To use 'mits' correctly, you must be comfortable with Dutch subordinate clause word order, where the verbs are placed at the end of the sentence. Since 'mits' expresses a condition ('provided that'), familiarity with other conditional conjunctions like 'als' and 'indien' provides the necessary grammatical framework.

Words in This Pattern

mits