Professional Correspondence
Professional Correspondence
Advanced business Dutch is built from formulas that manage relationships: Ik kom hierbij terug op reopens a matter, Onder voorbehoud van hedges a commitment, and Ik zie uw reactie graag tegemoet closes a letter while applying pressure.
Grammar Comparison
Grammar Comparison
Opening formulas position the letter in a history
Naar aanleiding van ons gesprek van 3 mei kom ik hierbij terug op uw voorstel.
Further to our conversation of 3 May, I am writing to return to your proposal.
Formal Dutch establishes context before content: naar aanleiding van ('further to'), in reactie op ('in response to'), onder verwijzing naar ('with reference to'). Note terugkomen op ('to return to a matter'), a separable verb whose prefix lands at the end of the clause, and hierbij, which frames the letter itself as the act being performed.
Hedging a commitment without withdrawing it
Onder voorbehoud van goedkeuring kunnen wij dit toezeggen.
Subject to approval, we can commit to this.
onder voorbehoud van ('subject to') is the standard way to make a conditional commitment, and behoudens does the same work in more legal contexts. Alongside them, in principe ('in principle') signals agreement pending detail, and vooralsnog ('for the time being') marks a position as provisional. These are precise instruments, and using one where another is expected changes the strength of your undertaking.
Closings that invite, remind or press
Ik zie uw reactie graag tegemoet. / Mocht u vragen hebben, dan ben ik bereikbaar.
I look forward to your reply. / Should you have questions, I am available.
tegemoet zien ('to look forward to') is the formal closing that also functions as a reminder that a reply is expected. The mocht construction offers help while implying none should be needed. A firmer register uses Ik verzoek u vriendelijk ... ('I kindly request that you ...'), which despite vriendelijk is understood as pressure — a good example of Dutch formality carrying an edge the words alone do not show.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
- English
- to return to (a matter)
- English
- with reference to
- English
- subject to
- English
- to commit / promise
- English
- in principle
- English
- for the time being
- English
- to look forward to
- English
- I kindly request
- English
- available / reachable
- English
- the confirmation
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