This page in your language
العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português हिन्दी فارسی 中文
C1 preposition Neutral 3 min read

blijkens

/ˈblɛikəns/
Practice it

Overview

The Dutch word 'blijkens' is an interesting and somewhat formal adverb that translates most commonly to 'as evidenced by,' 'as shown by,' or 'according to.' It serves to introduce a piece of evidence, a source, or a clear observation that supports a preceding statement or conclusion.

Grammatical Function:

'Blijkens' functions as a prepositional adverb. This means it often stands at the beginning of a clause or phrase, introducing the source of information. It does not inflect for number, gender, or case.

Usage and Context:

'Blijkens' is typically used in more formal or written contexts, such as academic papers, official reports, news articles, or legal documents. While you might hear it in spoken Dutch, especially in formal discussions, it's less common in casual conversation. Its primary purpose is to lend credibility and objectivity to a statement by pointing directly to the evidence.

Synonyms and Alternatives:

  • Volgens: This is a very common and versatile word meaning 'according to.' While 'volgens' can often be used interchangeably with 'blijkens,' 'blijkens' emphasizes the evidence more strongly. 'Volgens' can refer to a person's opinion or a general rule, whereas 'blijkens' points to something observable or documented.
  • Zoals blijkt uit/van: This phrase literally means 'as appears from/of' and is a more verbose but very common way to express the same idea. For example, 'Zoals blijkt uit het onderzoek...' (As appears from the research...).
  • Naar aanleiding van: This means 'following' or 'in response to,' often introducing the reason for an action or observation, which can sometimes imply evidence.
  • Getuige: Meaning 'witness to' or 'as witnessed by,' this is also a formal option, often used in legal or historical contexts.

Examples:

  1. 1Blijkens het onderzoek, is er een correlatie tussen slaaptekort en concentratieproblemen. (As evidenced by the research, there is a correlation between sleep deprivation and concentration problems.)
  • Here, 'blijkens' introduces the research as the factual basis for the claim.
  1. 1De prijzen zullen stijgen, blijkens de economische prognoses. (Prices will rise, as shown by the economic forecasts.)
  • The economic forecasts are presented as the concrete evidence for the price increase.
  1. 1Blijkens zijn gedrag was hij erg teleurgesteld. (As evidenced by his behavior, he was very disappointed.)
  • In this case, the 'behavior' is the observable proof of his disappointment.
  1. 1De vergadering is uitgesteld, blijkens de email die we vanochtend ontvingen. (The meeting has been postponed, as shown by the email we received this morning.)
  • The email serves as the direct proof of the postponement.

Key takeaway: When you want to state something and explicitly back it up with observable facts, data, documents, or a clear source, 'blijkens' is an excellent and precise choice in Dutch, especially in formal communication.

Examples

1

Blijkens de notulen was de vergadering zeer productief.

Formal setting, often legal or administrative.

As evidenced by the minutes, the meeting was very productive.

2

Blijkens haar glimlach was ze tevreden met het resultaat.

Observational, describing a person's demeanor.

As shown by her smile, she was happy with the result.

3

Blijkens de meest recente cijfers daalt de werkloosheid.

Referring to statistical data or reports.

As the most recent figures show, unemployment is decreasing.

4

Blijkens de sporen in de sneeuw is er een dier overgestoken.

Describing physical evidence.

As evidenced by the tracks in the snow, an animal crossed.

5

Blijkens eerdere ervaringen is het raadzaam voorzichtig te zijn.

Referring to past events or knowledge.

As shown by previous experiences, it is advisable to be cautious.

Common Collocations

blijkens de feiten
blijkens onderzoek
blijkens de gegevens
blijkens zijn zeggen

Often Confused With

blijkens vs volgens
Volgens is often translated as 'according to', suggesting information from a source, while blijkens is 'as evidenced by', implying something observable or provable.

Grammar Patterns

Blijkens de notulen is het besluit genomen. Het onderzoek toont, blijkens de resultaten, een duidelijke trend. De situatie is, blijkens de recente ontwikkelingen, zorgwekkend.

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The word 'blijkens' is always followed by a noun or a noun phrase that denotes the source of the evidence. It functions as a preposition, linking the evidence to the main clause. For example: 'Blijkens het rapport is de economie gegroeid.' (As evidenced by the report, the economy has grown.) It is less common to see 'blijkens' followed by a full subordinate clause with a verb. When used, it emphasizes the factual basis of a statement, making it sound more objective and credible. Due to its formal nature, overuse in casual conversation can sound stiff or pretentious. It is particularly useful when citing official sources, research findings, or established facts to lend weight to an argument or observation.

Common Mistakes

Non-native speakers sometimes confuse 'blijkens' with similar-sounding words like 'blijken' (to appear, to turn out to be) or 'blijkbaar' (apparently). 'Blijkens' specifically introduces the source of evidence, while 'blijken' is a verb, and 'blijkbaar' is an adverb indicating appearance or assumption. Another common mistake is using it too broadly; it's best for formal contexts where you are explicitly citing evidence or a source, rather than just stating something that appears to be true. Ensure the source of evidence directly follows 'blijkens'.

Word Origin

The Dutch word 'blijkens' is a fascinating example of how language evolves, stemming from a rich Germanic heritage. Its roots can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word '*blīkaną', meaning 'to shine, to appear, to seem'. This core meaning is crucial to understanding the development of 'blijkens'. In Old Dutch, this evolved into 'blīken', carrying similar meanings of 'to appear, to manifest, to shine'. This verb was central to expressing how things came into view or became evident. As the language progressed into Middle Dutch, 'bliken' continued this trajectory, often used to describe something becoming clear or apparent. It was during this period that we start to see the emergence of participial forms and constructions that hint at the later development of 'blijkens'. The suffix '-ens' in Dutch is often used to form adverbs from participles, indicating a manner or consequence. Think of words like 'volgens' (according to) from 'volgen' (to follow), or 'tijdens' (during) from 'tijden' (to time/occur). This grammatical pattern provided the framework for 'blijkens'. Therefore, 'blijkens' can be understood as a petrified or lexicalized present participle of the verb 'blijken' (to appear, to turn out, to be evident). The original meaning of 'blijken' emphasized something 'shining forth' or 'becoming visible', which naturally extended to 'becoming evident' or 'being revealed'. So, when we say 'blijkens' today, meaning 'as evidenced by' or 'as shown by', we are essentially using a linguistic fossil that still carries the echoes of something 'appearing' or 'manifesting' itself in a clear and undeniable way. It’s a testament to the enduring power of verbs to describe the process of discovery and the unveiling of truth within language.

Cultural Context

The Dutch word 'blijkens' is a formal and somewhat archaic conjunction, often encountered in written contexts such as legal documents, academic papers, or official reports. It introduces a phrase or clause that provides evidence or justification for a preceding statement. While its direct English equivalents are 'as evidenced by' or 'as shown by,' 'blijkens' carries a slightly more formal and authoritative tone. It implies that the evidence is clear, undeniable, and often publicly accessible or verifiable. In everyday spoken Dutch, people are more likely to use less formal expressions like 'zoals blijkt uit' (as appears from) or simply 'volgens' (according to) if they want to refer to a source.

Memory Tip

Visualize a 'blink' (blijk) of an eye, and something becoming clear or evident because of that brief sight. Or, think of 'blinking' lights on a dashboard, 'evidencing' a problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions
'Blijkens' is a Dutch word that translates to 'as evidenced by' or 'as shown by' in English. It is typically used to introduce information that is supported or confirmed by a specific source, document, or observation. For instance, one might say 'Blijkens het rapport...' (As evidenced by the report...) to indicate that the following statement is supported by the content of the report. It functions as a preposition, linking the statement to its verifiable source.
'Blijkens' is usually placed at the beginning of a clause or phrase to introduce the evidence. For example, 'Blijkens de notulen was de vergadering succesvol' means 'As shown by the minutes, the meeting was successful.' Another example could be 'Blijkens zijn gedrag is hij erg boos,' which translates to 'As evidenced by his behavior, he is very angry.' It effectively signals that the information presented is not merely an opinion, but is grounded in observable facts or documented evidence.
Yes, there are several synonyms and similar expressions that convey a comparable meaning to 'blijkens' in Dutch. Some common alternatives include 'volgens' (according to), 'zoals blijkt uit' (as appears from), and 'naar aanleiding van' (following, in response to). While these can sometimes be interchangeable, 'blijkens' specifically emphasizes the concrete evidence or proof supporting a statement. For example, 'volgens het rapport' (according to the report) is similar, but 'blijkens het rapport' might imply a more direct and undeniable link to the report's findings.
The word 'blijkens' is derived from the Dutch verb 'blijken,' which means 'to appear,' 'to prove,' or 'to turn out.' The suffix '-ens' is an old adverbial ending, similar to how it's used in words like 'ondanks' (despite). Therefore, 'blijkens' literally means 'appearing from' or 'as it appears from.' Its etymology highlights its function of indicating that something is evident or manifest from a particular source, reinforcing its meaning of 'as evidenced by' or 'as shown by.'

Test Yourself

fill blank

De resultaten, _______ het onderzoek, waren veelbelovend.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
fill blank

_______ de documenten was hij gerechtigd tot de erfenis.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
fill blank

Zijn afwezigheid, _______ zijn lege stoel, was opvallend.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Score: /3

Related Content

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!