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GERMAN GRAMMAR · A2

German infinitives with zu: lernen, anzurufen or aufstehen?

Learn the infinitive pattern with the first verb: versuchen, etwas zu tun, but etwas tun müssen. In separable verbs, insert zu between prefix and stem: anrufen → anzurufen.

Only the finite verb agrees with the subject

After verbs such as planen and versuchen, the taught construction uses a zu-infinitive to name the second action. The infinitive does not acquire a person ending.

Nora versucht, jeden Abend zu lesen.

Nora tries to read every evening.

Place zu inside a separable verb

In aufstehen, put zu between auf and stehen: aufzustehen. Write the resulting infinitive as one word, unlike zu lesen.

Nora plant, morgen früh aufzustehen.

Nora plans to get up early tomorrow.

An inseparable prefix stays attached

Do not insert zu merely because a verb has a prefix. With inseparable besuchen, the construction is zu besuchen; learn separability with the verb.

Wir versuchen, Nora am Sonntag zu besuchen.

We are trying to visit Nora on Sunday.

Modal verbs take a bare infinitive

After ordinary modal forms such as muss, kann and will, use the infinitive without zu. The modal already establishes how the action is understood.

Nora muss morgen früh aufstehen.

Nora has to get up early tomorrow.

Separate these expanded infinitive clauses with a comma

The expanded infinitive clauses illustrated here are separated by a comma under the current spelling rules. Do not extend that rule to an ordinary modal construction: Nora muss arbeiten has no comma.

Nora plant, im Sommer einen Kurs zu besuchen.

Nora plans to attend a course in summer.

Practise this pattern

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References

Original teaching prose and examples, informed by these grammar references. A2 placement is an editorial curriculum choice, not a CEFR certification.