The Infinitive Flashcards
What is the infinitive?
It is the “to” form of the verb in English; the -en form in German
to go / gehen
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I tried to come
Ich versuchte zu kommen
zu is used with the infinitive after other verbs
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It was easy to see
Es war leicht zu sehen
zu is used with the infinitive after other verbs
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It is difficult to understand
Es ist schwierig zu verstehen
zu is used with the infinitive after other verbs
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I don’t have time to go
Ich habe keine Zeit, zu gehen
zu is used with the infinitive after other verbs
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I don’t feel like working today
Ich habe keine Lust, heute zu arbeiten
zu is used with the infinitive after other verbs
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She can swim well
Sie kann gut schwimmen
With modal verbs, zu is not used
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They kept us waiting
Sie ließen uns warten
With lassen, zu is not used
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She remained seated
Sie blieb sitzen
with bleiben, zu is not used
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He went shopping
Er ging einkaufen
with gehen, zu is not used
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I saw him coming
Ich sah ihn kommen
with verbs of perception, zu is not used
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He heard her singing
Er hörte sie singen
with verbs of perception, zu is not used
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Do not smoke!
Nicht Rauchen!
with instructions, zu is not used
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Please don’t get on this train
Bitte nicht in diesen Zug einsteigen
with instructions, zu is not used
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She has given up smoking
Sie hat das Rauchen aufgegeben
Infinitives can be used as nouns, always with das
