German zu + Infinitive: How to Use Infinitive Clauses

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 Basic zu + Infinitive Construction

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:

• Ich versuche, Deutsch zu lernen. (I am trying to learn German.)
• Er hofft, eine gute Note zu bekommen. (He hopes to get a good grade.)
• Wir planen, nach Berlin zu fahren. (We plan to travel to Berlin.)

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.

When Do You Use zu + Infinitive in German?

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:

1. After Certain Verbs

Many common German verbs require or allow a zu + infinitive complement. These are the most important ones to learn:

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:

• Ich kann Deutsch sprechen. (NOT: zu sprechen)
• Er lässt sein Auto reparieren. (NOT: zu reparieren)

2. After Adjectives with es ist / es war

• Es ist wichtig, die Grammatik zu verstehen. (It is important to understand the grammar.)
• Es war schön, dich zu treffen. (It was nice to meet you.)
• Es ist schwierig, Deutsch zu lernen. (It is difficult to learn German.)

3. After Nouns

• Ich habe die Möglichkeit, im Ausland zu arbeiten. (I have the opportunity to work abroad.)
• Er hat keine Lust, heute zu kochen. (He does not feel like cooking today.)
• Sie hat den Wunsch, Ärztin zu werden. (She has the wish to become a doctor.)

Where Does zu Go With Separable Verbs?

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:

With inseparable verbs (prefixes like be-, ver-, er-, ent-), zu simply goes in front as a separate word:

• verstehen → zu verstehen
• beginnen → zu beginnen
• erzählen → zu erzählen

If you want to review which prefixes are separable and which are not, our guide to German separable verbs covers every prefix in detail.

What Is the Difference Between um zu and zu?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions about German infinitive clauses, and the answer is straightforward:

• zu + infinitive completes a verb, adjective, or noun — it says what someone does.
• um...zu + infinitive expresses purpose — it says why someone does something.

um...zu — Expressing Purpose (In Order To)

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:

• Um Deutsch zu lernen, spiele ich Spiele auf Deutschwunder. (In order to learn German, I play games on Deutschwunder.)
• Ich lese jeden Tag, um mein Deutsch zu verbessern. (I read every day to improve my German.)
• Um fit zu bleiben, geht er jeden Morgen joggen. (To stay fit, he goes jogging every morning.)
• Sie spart Geld, um nach Japan zu reisen. (She is saving money to travel to Japan.)

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:

• Ich spreche langsam, damit du mich verstehst. (I speak slowly so that you understand me.)

Practice building um...zu sentences with our Type Rush game — you will type complete sentences and build muscle memory for correct word order.

ohne...zu — Without Doing Something

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:

• Er ging weg, ohne etwas zu sagen. (He left without saying anything.)
• Sie hat die Prüfung bestanden, ohne viel zu lernen. (She passed the exam without studying much.)
• Du kannst nicht besser werden, ohne regelmäßig zu üben. (You cannot improve without practicing regularly.)
• Er hat das Haus verlassen, ohne die Tür abzuschließen. (He left the house without locking the door.)

Notice the last example — with separable verbs, zu still goes between the prefix and verb stem, even inside an ohne...zu clause: abzuschließen.

statt...zu — Instead of Doing Something

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:

• Er spielt Videospiele, statt seine Hausaufgaben zu machen. (He plays video games instead of doing his homework.)
• Anstatt zu kochen, bestellen wir Pizza. (Instead of cooking, we are ordering pizza.)
• Sie liest ein Buch, statt fernzusehen. (She reads a book instead of watching TV.)
• Statt sich zu beschweren, solltest du etwas ändern. (Instead of complaining, you should change something.)

Both statt and anstatt are completely interchangeable — statt is simply the shorter, more common form.

dass-Clause vs. zu + Infinitive

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:

• Ich hoffe, die Prüfung zu bestehen. (I hope to pass the exam.)

Use a dass-clause when the subjects are different:

• Ich hoffe, dass du die Prüfung bestehst. (I hope that you pass the exam.)

Here are more side-by-side comparisons:

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.

Quick Reference: All zu + Infinitive Patterns

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using zu with modal verbs. Never say Ich kann zu schwimmen. Modal verbs take a bare infinitive: Ich kann schwimmen.

2. Forgetting to insert zu with separable verbs. It is anzufangen, not an zu fangen or zu anfangen.

3. Using zu + infinitive with different subjects. If the person doing the action changes, switch to a dass-clause.

4. Wrong comma placement. Place the comma before the infinitive clause, not after zu: Ich versuche*,** Deutsch zu lernen.*

5. Mixing up um...zu and damit. Use um...zu when the subject is the same; use damit when the subjects are different.

Practice Your zu + Infinitive Skills

Grammar rules stick best when you practice them actively. Here are some ways to reinforce what you have learned:

• Type complete sentences with our Type Rush game — practice writing full zu + infinitive sentences under time pressure to build fluency.
• Unscramble German sentences with Word Scramble — put the words in the right order, including correct zu placement.
• Test your grammar knowledge with our grammar quizzes — answer questions about infinitive clauses, um...zu constructions, and more.

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

Take a Grammar Quiz

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Deutschwunder offers free interactive games and quizzes designed to make German learning fun and effective. Whether you are working on vocabulary, grammar, or pronunciation, our tools help you practice the skills that matter most.