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Infinitive Clauses

Infinitive clauses (Infinitivsätze) are dependent clauses constructed with zu + infinitive. They function as subordinate clauses but have no subject of their own, instead referring to the subject or object of the main clause. These clauses express purpose, intention, or replace dass-clauses when the subjects match.

Examples:

  • Ich hoffe, bald perfekt Deutsch zu sprechen. (I hope to speak perfect German soon.)
  • Es ist wichtig, jeden Tag zu üben. (It is important to practice every day.)
  • Sie kam, um uns zu helfen. (She came to help us.)

Formation and Word Order

Infinitive clauses follow specific word order rules. The zu and the infinitive are placed at the end of the clause, and the infinitive clause is separated from the main clause by a comma.

Main clause + comma + zu + infinitive

As Main ClauseWith Infinitive ClauseTranslation
Ich sehe dich baldIch hoffe, dich bald zu sehenI hope to see you soon
Sie besteht die PrüfungSie versucht, die Prüfung zu bestehenShe tries to pass the exam
Wir reisen nächstes Jahr nach JapanWir planen, nächstes Jahr nach Japan zu reisenWe plan to travel to Japan next year

Separable Verbs

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

InfinitiveWith zuExampleTranslation
aufstehenaufzustehenEr vergisst früh aufzustehenHe forgets to get up early
einkaufeneinzukaufenIch habe vor einzukaufenI plan to go shopping
mitbringenmitzubringenSie bittet mich etwas mitzubringenShe asks me to bring something along

Types of Infinitive Clauses

Some specific verbs, adjectives, or nouns commonly trigger infinitive clauses.

Verbs of Intention and Hope

Many verbs expressing intention or hope are followed by infinitive clauses:

VerbMeaningExampleTranslation
hoffento hopeIch hoffe, dich bald zu sehenI hope to see you soon
versuchento tryEr versucht, pünktlich zu seinHe tries to be punctual
planento planWir planen, umzuziehenWe plan to move
beginnento beginSie beginnt, Deutsch zu lernenShe begins to learn German
vergessento forgetIch vergesse oft, zu frühstückenI often forget to have breakfast

Adjectives + es

Many adjectives used with es can be followed by infinitive clauses. These constructions express general statements or evaluations:

AdjectiveMeaningExampleTranslation
es ist wichtigit is importantEs ist wichtig, Sport zu treibenIt is important to do sports
es ist schwerit is difficultEs ist schwer, ihn zu überzeugenIt is difficult to convince him
es ist gutit is goodEs ist gut, früh aufzustehenIt is good to get up early
es ist möglichit is possibleEs ist möglich, online zu arbeitenIt is possible to work online

Noun Phrases

Certain nouns combined with haben or other verbs caintroduce infinitive clauses:

Noun PhraseMeaningExampleTranslation
Lust habento feel likeIch habe Lust, zu tanzenI feel like dancing
Zeit habento have timeSie hat Zeit, uns zu besuchenShe has time to visit us
Angst habento be afraidEr hat Angst, zu versagenHe is afraid to fail

Referring to Objects

Some verbs allow the infinitive clause to refer to their accusative or dative object rather than the subject:

  • Ich bitte dich, mir zu helfen. (I ask you to help me.)
  • Sie erlaubt ihm, zu bleiben. (She allows him to stay.)
  • Der Chef befiehlt uns, zu arbeiten. (The boss orders us to work.)

Special Infinitive Constructions

German has three special infinitive constructions that add specific meanings to the infinitive clause. Each uses a conjunction combined with zu + infinitive.

um...zu (in order to)

Um...zu expresses purpose or intention and answers the question "why?" or "for what purpose?". The um starts the infinitive clause, while zu + infinitive go at the end.

Main ClauseInfinitive ClauseTranslation
Ich lerne Deutsch,um in Deutschland zu arbeitenI learn German in order to work in Germany
Sie spart Geld,um ein Auto zu kaufenShe saves money to buy a car
Er joggt täglich,um fit zu bleibenHe jogs daily to stay fit
Wir kamen früh,um gute Plätze zu bekommenWe came early to get good seats

ohne...zu (without)

Ohne...zu indicates that something doesn't happen while the main action occurs. It expresses the absence of an expected action.

Main ClauseInfinitive ClauseTranslation
Er ging,ohne ein Wort zu sagenHe left without saying a word
Sie bestand die Prüfung,ohne viel zu lernenShe passed the exam without studying much
Du kannst nicht abnehmen,ohne Sport zu treibenYou can't lose weight without exercising
Ich arbeite oft,ohne Pausen zu machenI often work without taking breaks

(an)statt...zu (instead of)

(An)statt...zu shows what is done instead of something else. Both statt and anstatt can be used with the same meaning.

Main ClauseInfinitive ClauseTranslation
Er sieht fern,statt zu arbeitenHe watches TV instead of working
Sie liest,anstatt zu schlafenShe reads instead of sleeping
Wir fahren mit dem Bus,statt zu laufenWe take the bus instead of walking
Ich koche selbst,anstatt essen zu bestellenI cook myself instead of ordering food

Infinitive Clauses vs dass-Clauses

The choice between an infinitive clause and a dass-clause depends on whether the subjects of the main and subordinate clauses are the same or different.

When Subjects Match → Use Infinitive Clause

When the subject of the main clause and the implied subject of the subordinate clause are identical, use an infinitive clause with zu:

SubjectInfinitive ClauseTranslation
IchIch hoffe, bald perfekt Deutsch zu sprechenI hope to speak perfect German soon
SieSie plant, nächstes Jahr zu heiratenShe plans to get married next year
WirWir versuchen, pünktlich zu seinWe try to be punctual

When Subjects Differ → Use dass-Clause

When the subjects are different, you must use a dass-clause with a conjugated verb:

Main Subjectdass-Clause SubjectExampleTranslation
IcherIch hoffe, dass er sich besser fühltI hope that he feels better
Sieihre ElternSie wünscht, dass ihre Eltern sie besuchenShe wishes that her parents visit her
Der Lehrerdie SchülerDer Lehrer erwartet, dass die Schüler aufmerksam sindThe teacher expects that the students are attentive