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German Gerundiv (Modales Partizip)

The Gerundiv is a formal construction using zu + Partizip I that expresses what can, should, or must be done. Common in official documents, contracts, and academic texts, it provides an elegant alternative to passive constructions with modal verbs.

Example:

  • Die zu erledigenden Aufgaben sind dringend. (The tasks to be completed are urgent.)

Formation

The gerund div is formed like this:

zu + Partizip I

This is actually the exact same as:

zu + verb stem + -end + adjective ending

With most verbs zu is written separately:

InfinitivePartizip IGerundivExample
lesenlesendzu lesenderder zu lesende Text
korrigierenkorrigierendzu korrigierenderein zu korrigierender Fehler
bezahlenbezahlendzu bezahlenderdie zu bezahlende Rechnung

With separable prefix verbs, zu goes between the prefix and the verb stem, written as one word:

InfinitiveGerundiv FormationExample
abgebenabzugebenderder abzugebende Bericht
durchführendurchzuführendereine durchzuführende Prüfung
einreicheneinzureichenderdie einzureichenden Unterlagen

Learn more about Partizip I & II

Learn more about Adjective Formation

Meaning and Usage

The Gerundiv expresses passive modality (see table) and can be paraphrased in three ways:

Gerundivdie zu lesenden Bücherein zu lösendes Problem
Passive + Modaldie Bücher, die gelesen werden müssenein Problem, das gelöst werden kann
Active + Modaldie Bücher, die man lesen mussein Problem, das man lösen kann
sein + zu + Infinitivedie Bücher, die zu lesen sindein Problem, das zu lösen ist
Englishthe books to be readthe Problem to be solved

Note: Context determines whether the Gerundiv expresses possibility (können) or necessity (müssen/sollen). Academic texts often imply necessity, while technical descriptions may indicate possibility.

Common Usage Examples

Academic and Scientific Writing

  • Die zu untersuchenden Phänomene sind komplex. (The phenomena to be investigated are complex.)
  • Die zu berücksichtigenden Faktoren wurden analysiert. (The factors to be considered were analyzed.)
  • Das anzuwendende Verfahren ist standardisiert. (The procedure to be applied is standardized.)

Legal and Administrative Documents

  • Alle auszufüllenden Felder sind Pflichtfelder. (All fields to be filled out are mandatory.)
  • Die vorzulegenden Dokumente müssen beglaubigt sein. (The documents to be submitted must be certified.)

Instructions and Technical Writing

  • Das zu verwendende Material muss steril sein. (The material to be used must be sterile.)
  • Die zu beachtenden Sicherheitshinweise stehen am Anfang. (The safety instructions to be observed are at the beginning.)

Gerundiv vs. Partizip I

One thing that can trip you up is confusing the Partizip I without zu with the Gerundiv.

ConstructionExampleTranslation
Gerundivdie zu grüßende Damethe lady who should be greeted
Partizip Idie grüßende Damethe lady who is greeting