Zu
with Infinitives
Infinitives are usually preceded by
zu except when modals are used. If a
separable prefix is used in the infinitive, the zu
is inserted between the prefix and the stem.
Hast du Lust, den Dom zu besichtigen?
Do you feel like visiting the cathedral?
Es dauert lange, durch die Stadt zu fahren.
It takes a long time to drive through the city.
Es ist zu früh, sich aufzustehen. It
is too early to get up.
Um, ohne and anstatt can
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, um das Buch abzuholen.
He came in order to pick up the
book.
Sie sagte es, ohne mich anzusehen.
She said it, without looking at
me.
Statt hier zu sitzen, sollten
wir ihn suchen. Instead of sitting
here, we should look for him.
Sein + zu + an infinitive are used the
same way in English and German, but the construction
is far more common in German.
Das ist nicht zu machen.
That can't be done.
Das ist in jedem Laden zu finden.
That can be found in any store. |
