How to Use the German zu + Infinitive Construction
What is zu + infinitive? In the zu + infinitive construction, a second verb appears in the infinitive form alongside the main verb, accompanied by the small word zu. This construction often replaces a dass subordinate clause, making the sentence shorter and simpler.
Example:
- Ich hoffe, morgen früher aufzustehen.
I hope to get up earlier tomorrow.
The equivalent subordinate clause is: Ich hoffe, dass ich morgen früher aufstehe.
Why use zu + infinitive?
The zu + infinitive construction has several advantages:
- You do not need to use the subordinate-clause word order.
- You do not need to conjugate the second verb again.
- You do not need to repeat the subject when it is the same in the main clause and the subordinate clause.
When can it be used?
The zu + infinitive construction can be used when the subject of the main clause and the subordinate clause is the same.
Example:
- Sie behauptet, klug zu sein.
She claims to be clever.
If the two subjects are different, you need a sentence with dass.
Verbs commonly followed by zu + infinitive
- hoffen – to hope
- wünschen – to wish
- versuchen – to try
- beginnen / anfangen – to begin / start
- aufhören – to stop
- lernen – to learn
- vergessen – to forget
- versprechen – to promise
- planen – to plan
- sich freuen – to be pleased
Examples:
- Er versucht, weniger Zucker zu essen. – He tries to eat less sugar.
- Wir planen, im Sommer nach Italien zu fahren. – We plan to travel to Italy in summer.
- Ich habe vergessen, dir zu schreiben. – I forgot to write to you.
After impersonal expressions
In German, es ist … constructions are also frequently followed by zu + infinitive.
Examples:
- Es ist leicht, einen Kuchen zu backen. – It is easy to bake a cake.
- Es ist schwer, eine neue Sprache zu lernen. – It is difficult to learn a new language.
- Es ist interessant, alte Bücher zu lesen. – It is interesting to read old books.
Other impersonal constructions
These typical expressions are also followed by zu + infinitive:
- es freut mich … → I am pleased that …
- es gelingt mir … → I succeed in …
- es tut mir Leid … → I am sorry …
- es gefällt mir … → I like …
- es macht mir Spaß … → I enjoy …
Examples:
- Es freut mich, dich hier zu sehen. – I am pleased to see you here.
- Es gelingt mir, pünktlich zu sein. – I manage to be on time.
- Es macht mir Spaß, Musik zu hören. – I enjoy listening to music.
Where to put zu in the sentence
With a modal auxiliary verb
The zu comes between the main verb and the auxiliary verb.
- Ich hoffe, dich morgen sehen zu können.
I hope to be able to see you tomorrow.
In the perfect tense
The zu comes between the past participle and the auxiliary verb.
- Er behauptet, das Bild schon gesehen zu haben.
He claims to have already seen the picture.
With separable verbs
The zu comes between the prefix and the verb.
- Ich habe beschlossen, das Fenster aufzumachen.
I decided to open the window. - Sie hofft, die Aufgabe rechtzeitig abzugeben.
She hopes to hand in the assignment on time.
Verbs that are not followed by zu
Certain verbs are never followed by zu:
- modal auxiliaries: können, müssen, sollen, wollen, dürfen, mögen
- lassen – to let / allow
- gehen, kommen, fahren – verbs expressing movement
- bleiben – to stay
- lernen, lehren – to learn, to teach
- hören, sehen, spüren, fühlen – verbs expressing perception
Examples:
- Ich kann heute nicht schwimmen. – I cannot swim today.
- Er lässt mich arbeiten. – He lets me work.
- Wir gehen einkaufen. – We are going shopping.
- Ich höre ihn lachen. – I hear him laughing.
Summary
The zu + infinitive construction is one of the basic sentence structures in German.
- It is used after verbs, impersonal expressions and established phrases.
- The position of zu depends on whether the sentence contains a modal auxiliary, a perfect form or a separable verb.
- Some verbs are never followed by zu.
This construction is extremely common in everyday German communication, so it is useful to learn and practise it early.
Practical steps
- Learn the common verbs that are followed by zu + infinitive.
- Check whether the subject is the same in both parts of the sentence.
- Practise placing zu correctly with modal auxiliaries, perfect forms and separable verbs.
- Memorise the verbs and expressions that are not followed by zu.
- Rewrite simple dass clauses using zu + infinitive where appropriate.