Infinitive in German

Lesson outline

1.What is the infinitive in German?
2.Infinitive verbs with zu
2.1.The construction of the infinitive verbs with "zu"
3.Infinitive without zu
4.Exercises
4.1.Exercise of infinitive (separable / not separable)
4.2.Exercise of infinitive verbs
4.3.Exercise of the infinitive verbs

What is the infinitive in German?

There is no expression of numerus (grammatical number) and person in the infinitive form of a verb. In this lesson you will learn about the infinitive with or without "zu" and how you use them. The infinitive verb is placed at the end.

For example: Es dauert lange, durch die Innenstadt zu gehen.

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Infinitive verbs with zu

A lot of verbs need an infinitive form with zu.

explanation	verb	example with "zu"	Translation
effort/ plan	sich bemühen, planen, versuchen	Ich versuche, still zu halten.	I try to hold still
verbs that express opinions	denken, erwarten, vermuten	Ich vermute, den Einbrecher gesehen zu haben.	I suspect to have seen the burglar
verbs that express agreements	abmachen, beschließen, vereinbaren	Ich beschließe, meine Wohnung zu verlassen.	I decide to leave my apartment
verbs that express a start	beginnen, anfangen	Ich beginne mich wohl zu fühlen.	I start to feel well
verbs that express a decision	sich verpflichten, sich weigern	Ich weigere mich, meinen Platz zu verlassen.	I refuse to leave my spot

The construction of the infinitive verbs with "zu"

There are to forms of using zu (zu or um ...zu).

1.The infinitive verb is widened with zu. Both are placed at the end of a sentence.

Ich kann bald lesen und schreiben. -> Ich hoffe, bald lesen und schreiben zu können.

Willst du die Kirche besichtigen? -> Hast du Lust, die Kirche zu besichtigen?

2. The construction with um ... zu differs. It is equivalent to the English construction "(in order) to" plus the infinitive of the verb. Um is at the beginning of the infinitive-sentence.

Esse einen Apfel, um gesund zu bleiben!

Um dick zu werden, muss man viel essen.

Pay attention, if you are using separable verbs."Zu" is placed between both parts of the verb.

verb	infinitive	example	Translation
abfahren	abzufahren	Um abzufahren, müssen die Türen geschlossen sein.	To drive off, the doors must be closed
abreisen	abzureisen	Um abzureisen, müssen die Koffer gepackt sein.	To travel, the bags must be packed.

Infinitive without zu

We use only the infinitive form, if the following verb is used...

explanation of the verb	verb	example without zu	Translation
modal verbs	können, dürfen, sollen	Du sollst dein Zimmer aufräumen.	You are supposed to clean up your room
perception	sehen, hören, spüren	Ich höre Sophia schreien.	I hear Sophia scream
motion	gehen, kommen, fahren	Er fährt sie besuchen.	He drives to visit her
	lassen	Er lässt sie fahren.	He lets her drive
	bleiben	Er bleibt vor ihr stehen.	He stays in front of her
	finden, haben	Sie hat ihre Flasche auf dem Boden stehen.	She has her bottle standing on the floor

Now, that you have learned about the usage of infinitive verbs move on to our exercises to improve your knowledge.

1 The infinitive in German (um…zu, ohne… zu)	Learn everything about the use of the German infinitive with 'um..zu' and 'ohne..zu'
2 The double infinitive in German	Learn about how to form and to use the German double infinitive