Infinitivsätze mit 'zu'
B2 German grammar — Technology. After many verbs, adjectives and expressions, the second verb appears as 'zu + infinitive' at the end. Comma usually opt…
Rule explained
After many verbs, adjectives and expressions, the second verb appears as 'zu + infinitive' at the end. Comma usually optional but common.
Examples
Use these mini-pairs as templates:
- Ich versuche, früher aufzustehen. — I try to get up earlier.
- Es ist wichtig, Sport zu treiben. — It is important to do sport.
- Sie hat keine Lust zu kommen. — She doesn't feel like coming.
Common mistakes
Watch out for these learner errors:
- Modal verbs (können, müssen…) take a bare infinitive — NOT 'zu'.
- With separable verbs, 'zu' goes BETWEEN prefix and stem: 'aufzustehen'.