Mastering Infinitive Clauses in German: A Comprehensive Guide

Infinitive clauses (Infinitivsätze) are an essential part of German grammar, allowing speakers to express purpose, intention, and indirect speech in a more fluid and nuanced way. These constructions often appear with the particle zu and follow certain verbs, adjectives, or prepositional phrases. However, some structures, such as modal verbs, do not require zu, and others, like um...zu or ohne...zu, serve distinct functions. In this article, we will explore the rules governing infinitive clauses, the verbs that trigger them, and their various forms, along with ample examples.

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What Are Infinitive Clauses?

An infinitive clause is a subordinate clause that contains a verb in the infinitive (the base form of the verb) preceded by zu. It functions similarly to the English "to + verb" structure.

Basic Structure

• German: Ich habe beschlossen, mehr Sport zu treiben.

• English: I have decided to do more sports.

In this sentence, the infinitive clause (mehr Sport zu treiben) is dependent on the main clause (Ich habe beschlossen). The zu is placed directly before the infinitive verb (treiben).

Verbs That Trigger Infinitive Clauses

Certain verbs commonly introduce infinitive clauses. They typically express decisions, attempts, beginnings, or preferences.

1. Verbs of Decision, Intention, and Planning

These verbs indicate an intention or decision and often take an infinitive clause:

• beschließen (to decide)

  • Ich habe beschlossen, weniger Fleisch zu essen. (I have decided to eat less meat.)

• hoffen (to hope)

  • Sie hofft, bald eine Antwort zu bekommen. (She hopes to get an answer soon.)

• versprechen (to promise)

  • Er hat versprochen, pünktlich zu sein. (He has promised to be punctual.)

• versuchen (to try)

  • Wir versuchen, Deutsch zu lernen. (We are trying to learn German.)

• vermeiden (to avoid)

  • Er versucht, Fehler zu vermeiden. (He tries to avoid mistakes.)

• planen (to plan)

  • Sie plant, nächstes Jahr nach Deutschland zu ziehen. (She plans to move to Germany next year.)

2. Verbs Expressing Beginning or End

These verbs indicate an action beginning or stopping:

• anfangen/beginnen (to begin)

  • Er fängt an, ein Buch zu lesen. (He starts to read a book.)

• aufhören (to stop)

  • Hör auf, so laut zu reden! (Stop talking so loudly!)

• beenden (to finish)

  • Sie hat aufgehört, Zucker zu essen. (She has stopped eating sugar.)

3. Verbs of Liking, Disliking, and Preference

• lieben (to love)

  • Er liebt es, am Meer zu sein. (He loves being at the sea.)

• hassen (to hate)

  • Ich hasse es, zu warten. (I hate waiting.)

• vorziehen (to prefer)

  • Ich ziehe es vor, drinnen zu bleiben. (I prefer to stay inside.)

4. Verbs That Take a Direct Object + Infinitive Clause

These verbs require an object before the infinitive clause:

• bitten (to ask/request)

  • Ich bitte dich, mir zu helfen. (I ask you to help me.)

• erlauben (to allow)

  • Sie erlaubt ihm, das Auto zu fahren. (She allows him to drive the car.)

• verbieten (to forbid)

  • Der Lehrer verbietet uns, im Unterricht zu essen. (The teacher forbids us from eating in class.)

Modal Verbs and Infinitive Clauses: No "zu" Required

Unlike the above verbs, modal verbs (müssen, sollen, können, dürfen, wollen, mögen) never take "zu" in an infinitive clause.

• Ich muss arbeiten. (I have to work.)

• Sie kann schwimmen. (She can swim.)

• Du sollst dein Zimmer aufräumen. (You should clean your room.)

Even when an infinitive clause is involved, zu is omitted:

• Ich hoffe, dass ich bald gehen kann. (I hope that I can leave soon.)

• Er behauptet, Deutsch sprechen zu können. (He claims to be able to speak German.)

Distinguishing "zu" Infinitive Clauses from "um...zu" and "ohne...zu" Constructions

There are special "zu"-infinitive structures that express purpose and condition:

1. "um...zu" - Expressing Purpose (In order to)

The phrase um...zu means "in order to" and clearly indicates a goal:

• Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu arbeiten. (I am learning German in order to work in Germany.)

• Sie spart Geld, um ein Auto zu kaufen. (She is saving money to buy a car.)

Unlike regular infinitive clauses, um...zu always emphasizes intentional action.

2. "ohne...zu" - Expressing "Without...ing"

This structure means "without doing something":

• Er ging, ohne ein Wort zu sagen. (He left without saying a word.)

• Sie hat das Buch gelesen, ohne es zu verstehen. (She read the book without understanding it.)

3. "anstatt...zu" - Expressing "Instead of..."

This construction means "instead of doing something":

• Er ging ins Kino, anstatt zu lernen. (He went to the cinema instead of studying.)

• Sie hat mir geholfen, anstatt mich zu ignorieren. (She helped me instead of ignoring me.)

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Forgetting "zu" after certain verbs:

   • ❌ Ich versuche Deutsch sprechen.

   • ✅ Ich versuche, Deutsch zu sprechen.

2. Using "zu" with modal verbs (incorrect!):

   • ❌ Ich kann zu schwimmen.

   • ✅ Ich kann schwimmen.

3. Confusing "um...zu" with regular "zu" clauses:

   • ❌ Ich lerne, um Deutsch zu sprechen. (Incorrect word order!)

   • ✅ Ich lerne Deutsch, um es zu sprechen.

Similarities Between German and English Infinitive Clauses

German infinitive clauses (Infinitivsätze) are quite similar to their English counterparts in many ways. Both languages use “to” (English) and “zu” (German) + infinitive to form dependent clauses that express purpose, intention, or indirect speech. However, there are some key differences in word order, required structures, and exceptions. Let’s break it down:

✅ Basic Structure is Similar:

• German: Ich hoffe, dich bald zu sehen.

• English: I hope to see you soon.

• German: Sie hat beschlossen, nach Deutschland zu ziehen.

• English: She has decided to move to Germany.

Here, both languages use [main clause] + [“zu”/“to” + verb], making them structurally alike.

✅ Infinitive Clauses After Certain Verbs Work the Same Way Many verbs that trigger infinitive clauses in German function similarly in English:

• Er hat versprochen, mir zu helfen. (He has promised to help me.)

• Wir versuchen, unser Bestes zu geben. (We are trying to do our best.)

• Sie hat entschieden, ins Ausland zu gehen. (She has decided to go abroad.)

In both languages, verbs of decision, intention, or preference (to try, to hope, to decide, to prefer, etc.) naturally take an infinitive clause.

✅ “um...zu” is Like “in Order to”

• Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu arbeiten. (I am learning German in order to work in Germany.)

• Er trainiert hart, um das Rennen zu gewinnen. (He trains hard in order to win the race.)

The function of “um...zu” in German closely mirrors “in order to” in English, making it easy to grasp.

✅ Negative Infinitive Clauses Also Work Similarly

• Er ging, ohne sich zu verabschieden. (He left without saying goodbye.)

• Sie ist abgereist, ohne mir etwas zu sagen. (She left without telling me anything.)

The structure "ohne...zu" (without doing something) is directly comparable to "without + gerund" in English.

Key Differences Between German and English Infinitive Clauses

🚫 Modal Verbs Never Take “zu” in German

• English: I have to go.

• German: Ich muss gehen. (Not Ich muss zu gehen. ❌)

Unlike English, where "to" is often used even after modal verbs, German never uses zu after müssen, können, sollen, dürfen, wollen, mögen.

🚫 Word Order Differences

• English: I asked him to help me.

• German: Ich habe ihn gebeten, mir zu helfen.

While English keeps the subject (him) + verb (to help) in order, German pushes the verb to the end of the infinitive clause.

🚫 No Gerunds in German English frequently uses gerunds (verb + “-ing”) where German uses zu + infinitive:

• English: I like swimming.

• German: Ich mag es, zu schwimmen. (Literally: I like it, to swim.)

In English, gerunds function as nouns, but German always sticks with the infinitive.

🚫 Different Use of "zu" in Embedded Clauses In German, infinitive clauses usually must include zu, except with modal verbs. English sometimes omits "to":

• English: He let me go.

• German: Er ließ mich gehen. (No “zu” needed in German either!)

However, other German verbs require "zu" where English doesn’t:

• English: He claims to be rich.

• German: Er behauptet, reich zu sein. (must use “zu” before “sein”)

Summary: When Are German and English Infinitive Clauses Similar or Different?

Feature	English	German	Similar?
Basic structure (to/zu + verb)	I try to learn	Ich versuche, zu lernen	✅ Yes
Expressing Purpose (in order to)	He studies in order to pass.	Er lernt, um zu bestehen.	✅ Yes
Without doing something (ohne...zu)	He left without saying goodbye.	Er ging, ohne sich zu verabschieden.	✅ Yes
Verbs with “to”	He wants to go.	Er will gehen.	❌ No (German omits zu with modals)
Word order	I asked him to help.	Ich habe ihn gebeten, mir zu helfen.	❌ No (German sends verb to the end)
Gerunds	I like swimming.	Ich mag es, zu schwimmen.	❌ No (German has no gerunds)

While German and English infinitive clauses are structurally similar, especially in expressing intentions, purposes, and conditions, there are notable differences in word order, modal verbs, and the use of gerunds. Paying attention to these key differences will help learners avoid mistakes and use infinitive clauses naturally in German.

Would you like some practice exercises to test your understanding? 😊

Conclusion

Infinitive clauses are a crucial part of German syntax, allowing for more complex and natural sentence structures. While they can be tricky, understanding the key verbs that trigger them, distinguishing um...zu from regular zu clauses, and remembering that modal verbs never take zu will significantly improve your fluency. Practice by forming your own sentences and post them in the comments.