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Infinitivkonstruktionen

In German, as in English, a sentence may contain an infinitive phrase. An infinitive phrase consists of the preposition zu + an infinitive.

  1. Infinitive phrases always come at the end of the independent clause of a sentence.

    Diese Probleme sind nicht leicht zu lösen. These problems are not easy to solve.
    Das ist schwer zu sagen. That's difficult to say.

  2. When an infinitive phrase contains more than just zu + infinitive, it is treated as a dependent clause and is separated from the independent clause by a comma.

    Das ist eine Methode, die Umwelt zu verbessern. That is one way to improve the environment.
    Ich versuche immer, an andere Leute zu denken. I always try to think of other people.

  3. When a separable-prefix verb is part of an infinitive phrase or clause, the word zu is placed between the prefix and the infinitive.

    Hugo findet es schwer, Geld für einen Anzug auszugeben. Hugo finds it difficult to spend money on a suit.
    Es ist schön, im Wald spazierenzugehen. It's nice to take a walk in the woods.
    Man sollte versuchen, keine historischen Gebäude abzureißen. We should try not to tear down historical buildings.

  4. The construction um...zu + infinitive is the equivalent of the English "in order to".

    Die Hellers verkaufen ihr Auto, um Energie zu sparen. The Hellers are selling their car in order to save energy.
    Sie kämpfen, um die Tiere und Pflanzen zu retten. They are fighting (in order ) to save the animals and plants.
    Sie kommen morgen, um mit uns zusammenzuarbeiten. They are coming tomorrow (in order) to work togehter with us.

    Although the phrase in order (to) is sometimes omitted in English, the um...zu construction is always used in German whenever purpose is expressed.

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