Zu with Infinitives

Question 1

Zu and Infinitives:

Answer 1

Infinitives are usually preceded byzu(except when modals are used) when they act as complements of verbs,adjectivesor nouns. Zu + infinitive is always the last element in a sentence. If a separable prefix is used in the infinitive, the zu is inserted between the prefix and the stem.

Hast du Lust, den Domzubesichtigen? Do you feel like visiting the cathedral?

Es dauert lange, durch die Stadtzufahren. It takes a long time to drive through the city.

Es ist zu früh um aufzustehen. It is too early to get up.

Question 2

Um, Ohne, Anstatt:

Answer 2

Um, ohneandanstattcan be used with zu as well. They introduce infinitival clauses. Um.. zu is used to indicate purpose, while ohne…zu and anstatt…zu are used with infinitives, and translated as present participles in English. (Um…zu must be used instead of just zu when the English equivalent “in order to” can be used sensibly.)

Er kam,umdas Buchabzuholen. He camein order topick upthe book.

Sie sagte es,ohnemichanzusehen. She said it,withoutlookingat me.

Statthierzusitzen, sollten wir ihn suchen. Instead ofsittinghere, we should look for him.

Question 3

Sein:

Answer 3

Sein+ zu + an infinitive is used the same way in English and German, but the construction is far more common in German.

Dasistnichtzumachen. That can’t be done.

Dasistin jedem Ladenzufinden. That can be found in any store.

Question 4

Brauchen and Scheinen:

Answer 4

The verbsbrauchen(to need) andscheinen(to seem, appear) are often used with zu + an infinitive. Brauchen in the negative is usually translated asto not have to, and is the opposite of müssen.

Esscheintkaputtzusein. It seems to be broken.

Ichbraucheheute nichtzuarbeiten. I don’t have to work today.