The art of persuasion
Vocabulary
- mitsprovided that
- tenzijunless
- overtuigento convince
- het argumentthe argument
- de voorwaardethe condition
- bewerento claim
- weerleggento refute
- de stellingnamethe stance
- aanvoerento put forward
- het standpuntthe viewpoint
- onderbouwento substantiate
- de drogredenthe fallacy
The Art of Persuasion in Dutch
Dutch has two powerful conditional conjunctions that are essential for persuasive speech: mits (provided that) and tenzij (unless).
Mits sets a positive condition — something will happen IF a requirement is met: Je mag deelnemen, mits je je op tijd inschrijft. (You may participate, provided you register on time.) After mits, the verb goes to the end of the clause.
Tenzij sets a negative condition — something will happen UNLESS something else occurs: We gaan door, tenzij het gaat stormen. (We'll continue, unless there's going to be a storm.)
For building arguments, use structures like: Ik ben van mening dat... (I am of the opinion that...), Het staat vast dat... (It is certain that...), Daar komt bij dat... (In addition to that...).
To counter arguments: Dat klopt niet, want... (That's not correct, because...), Dat is een drogreden (That's a fallacy).
When constructing a persuasive argument, combine these tools: state your position, provide evidence with want or aangezien, acknowledge the other side with hoewel, and set conditions with mits or tenzij.
Expressions
- Ik ben van mening dat...I am of the opinion that...
- Mits aan alle voorwaarden is voldaanProvided all conditions are met
- Tenzij u bezwaar heeftUnless you have an objection
- Daar komt bij dat...In addition to that...
- Het staat buiten kijf dat...It is beyond dispute that...
- Laat me dit onderbouwenLet me substantiate this
Common mistakes
Mits je komt, beginnen we zonder jouTenzij je komt, beginnen we zonder jouMits means provided that (positive); the condition here is unless, which already negates, so use tenzij.
Tenzij je je inschrijft, mag je deelnemenMits je je inschrijft, mag je deelnemenTenzij means unless (negative). Use mits for provided that (positive condition).
Ik ben van mening dat het is goedIk ben van mening dat het goed isIn a dat-clause, the verb goes to the end.
Het staat vast dat we moeten dit doenHet staat vast dat we dit moeten doenIn a subordinate clause the whole verb cluster moves to the end, modal before infinitive: ... dit moeten doen.
Quick quiz
Question 1 of 5
How do you say “to refute” in Dutch?
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