Infinitivsätze mit zu
Infinitiv mit zu — for English Speakers
Introduction
German 'zu + infinitive' works like English 'to + verb': 'Es ist wichtig, pünktlich zu sein' = 'It is important to be on time'. The concept is intuitive for English speakers. The twist is placement: 'zu' sits right before the infinitive at the end, and with separable verbs, 'zu' inserts between the prefix and the verb (anzufangen instead of zu anfangen). English has no equivalent of this splitting.
German vs English
In German
Ich versuche, das Problem zu lösen.
In English
I'm trying to solve the problem.
Key Difference
Same structure conceptually, but German places 'zu + infinitive' at the very end.
In German
Es ist wichtig, pünktlich zu sein.
In English
It is important to be on time.
Key Difference
Nearly identical — German just requires a comma before the infinitive phrase.
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
Ich versuche zu lösen das Problem.
Placing zu + infinitive in the middle — German requires it at the end of the infinitive phrase.
Er hat vor, zu anfangen morgen.
Separable verbs need 'zu' inserted: an-zu-fangen, not 'zu anfangen'.
Practice Examples
Ich habe vor, Deutsch zu lernen.
I plan to learn German.
Es ist schwer, früh aufzustehen.
It's hard to get up early.
Vergiss nicht, die Tür abzuschließen.
Don't forget to lock the door.
Memory Tip
Think of 'zu' as glue — it sticks right before the infinitive. For separable verbs, it glues between prefix and verb.
View Grammar Rule
Infinitivsätze mit zu
Infinitiv mit zu — B1
Practice Exercises
Infinitivsätze mit zu Übungen
8 exercises
Other Languages
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