German zu + Infinitive: How to Use Infinitive Clauses
10 min read
One of the most useful grammar patterns you will encounter at the A2-B1 level is the zu + infinitive construction (Infinitivsatz). It lets you express intentions, purposes, and attitudes in a natural, flowing way — and once you learn the rules, you will find it everywhere in spoken and written German.
In this guide, you will learn when and how to use zu with infinitives, which verbs trigger the construction, how separable verbs behave, and how to form purpose and contrast clauses with um...zu, ohne...zu, and statt...zu. Each section includes clear examples so you can start using these patterns right away.
The zu + infinitive construction works like an English "to + verb" phrase. The infinitive (the base form of the verb) goes to the end of the clause, and zu sits directly in front of it.
Pattern: Subject + conjugated verb + ... + zu + infinitive
Examples:
Notice the comma before the infinitive clause. While modern German grammar makes the comma optional in short constructions, it is good practice to include it — especially when the infinitive clause contains additional words. It improves readability and is always considered correct.
The infinitive always lands at the very end of the sentence. If you have studied German word order, this end-position rule should feel familiar — German loves putting important verb information at the end.
You use zu + infinitive after certain verbs, adjectives, and nouns that introduce a dependent action. The key condition is that the subject of both clauses must be the same person. If the subjects are different, you need a dass-clause instead (more on that below).
Here are the main situations:
Many common German verbs require or allow a zu + infinitive complement. These are the most important ones to learn:
| Verb | Translation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| versuchen | to try | Ich versuche, früh aufzustehen. |
| beginnen | to begin | Sie beginnt, das Buch zu lesen. |
| anfangen | to start | Er fängt an, Gitarre zu spielen. |
| aufhören | to stop | Hör auf, so laut zu sein! |
| hoffen | to hope | Wir hoffen, dich bald zu sehen. |
| vergessen | to forget | Vergiss nicht, die Tür abzuschließen! |
| planen | to plan | Sie planen, ein Haus zu kaufen. |
| vorhaben | to intend | Ich habe vor, Medizin zu studieren. |
| versprechen | to promise | Er verspricht, pünktlich zu kommen. |
| sich freuen | to look forward to | Ich freue mich, dich kennenzulernen. |
| empfehlen | to recommend | Ich empfehle, viel zu üben. |
| bitten | to ask/request | Sie bittet mich, leise zu sein. |
| scheinen | to seem | Er scheint, müde zu sein. |
| brauchen | to need (negative) | Du brauchst nicht zu kommen. |
Important exception: Modal verbs (können, müssen, wollen, sollen, dürfen, mögen) and a few other verbs like gehen, lassen, sehen, hören use the infinitive without zu:
This is one of the trickiest parts of the zu + infinitive construction, but the rule is actually simple: with separable verbs, zu is inserted between the prefix and the verb stem, and the whole thing is written as one word.
Pattern: prefix + zu + verb stem → one word
Examples:
| Separable Verb | zu + Infinitive | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| anfangen | anzufangen | Ich versuche, pünktlich anzufangen. |
| aufhören | aufzuhören | Es ist schwer, mit dem Rauchen aufzuhören. |
| aufstehen | aufzustehen | Ich habe keine Lust, früh aufzustehen. |
| einkaufen | einzukaufen | Vergiss nicht, Milch einzukaufen! |
| mitkommen | mitzukommen | Er hat versprochen, mitzukommen. |
| zurückkommen | zurückzukommen | Sie hofft, bald zurückzukommen. |
| kennenlernen | kennenzulernen | Ich freue mich, dich kennenzulernen. |
With inseparable verbs (prefixes like be-, ver-, er-, ent-), zu simply goes in front as a separate word:
If you want to review which prefixes are separable and which are not, our guide to German separable verbs covers every prefix in detail.
This is one of the most frequently asked questions about German infinitive clauses, and the answer is straightforward:
The um...zu construction translates as "in order to" in English (though we often shorten it to just "to").
Pattern: Um + ... + zu + infinitive, main clause (or the reverse)
Examples:
The subject of both the um...zu clause and the main clause must be the same. If the subjects are different, you use damit (so that) instead:
Practice building um...zu sentences with our Type Rush game — you will type complete sentences and build muscle memory for correct word order.
The ohne...zu construction means "without doing" something. It describes an action that does not happen alongside the main action.
Pattern: Main clause + ohne + ... + zu + infinitive
Examples:
Notice the last example — with separable verbs, zu still goes between the prefix and verb stem, even inside an ohne...zu clause: abzuschließen.
The statt...zu (also written anstatt...zu) construction means "instead of doing" something. It presents an alternative action that is not being done.
Pattern: Main clause + (an)statt + ... + zu + infinitive
Examples:
Both statt and anstatt are completely interchangeable — statt is simply the shorter, more common form.
Learners often wonder when to use zu + infinitive and when to use a dass-clause. The rule is clear:
Use zu + infinitive when the subject of both clauses is the same:
Use a dass-clause when the subjects are different:
Here are more side-by-side comparisons:
| Same Subject → zu + Infinitive | Different Subjects → dass-Clause |
|---|---|
| Er versucht, pünktlich zu kommen. | Er versucht, dass alles fertig ist. |
| Sie plant, nach Wien zu fahren. | Sie plant, dass wir zusammen fahren. |
| Ich freue mich, dich zu sehen. | Ich freue mich, dass du kommst. |
Note that the dass-clause sends the conjugated verb to the end of the clause — another example of German's verb-final pattern in subordinate clauses. Our German word order guide explains this in full.
Some verbs only work with zu + infinitive (like versuchen, anfangen, aufhören), while others allow both constructions depending on context.
| Pattern | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| verb + zu + infinitive | Completing a verb | Ich versuche, Deutsch zu lernen. |
| es ist + adjective + zu + infinitive | Evaluating an action | Es ist wichtig, Vokabeln zu lernen. |
| noun + zu + infinitive | Describing a noun | Ich habe die Chance, zu reisen. |
| um...zu + infinitive | Purpose (in order to) | Um besser zu werden, übe ich täglich. |
| ohne...zu + infinitive | Without doing | Er ging, ohne sich zu verabschieden. |
| (an)statt...zu + infinitive | Instead of doing | Statt zu schlafen, lerne ich. |
Using zu with modal verbs. Never say Ich kann zu schwimmen. Modal verbs take a bare infinitive: Ich kann schwimmen.
Forgetting to insert zu with separable verbs. It is anzufangen, not an zu fangen or zu anfangen.
Using zu + infinitive with different subjects. If the person doing the action changes, switch to a dass-clause.
Wrong comma placement. Place the comma before the infinitive clause, not after zu: Ich versuche*,** Deutsch zu lernen.*
Mixing up um...zu and damit. Use um...zu when the subject is the same; use damit when the subjects are different.
Grammar rules stick best when you practice them actively. Here are some ways to reinforce what you have learned:
If you are still building your grammar foundation, our German grammar for beginners guide covers the essentials you need before tackling infinitive clauses.
For a complete picture of German verb behavior, see our German verb conjugation guide, which explains how verbs change form across tenses and moods.
Ready to put your knowledge to work? Start practicing now:
Play Type Rush — Practice German Sentences
Play Word Scramble — Master Word Order
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