Infinitive Clauses (Infinitivsätze)

1. Definition

• An infinitive clause (Infinitivsatz) is a dependent clause built with an **infinitive verb**.
• It normally uses **zu + infinitive**.
• It has **no finite verb** and **no subject of its own**.
• The subject is usually the same as in the main clause.

2. Structure

[Main clause] + , + zu + [Infinitive verb]

Examples:

• Sie versucht, das Problem zu lösen (She tries to solve the problem.)
• Er versprach, pünktlich zu kommen (He promised to come on time.)

3. Common Verbs with Infinitive Clauses

Typical verbs that take infinitive clauses:

• beginnen,
• anfangen,
• aufhören,
• versuchen,
• planen,
• hoffen,
• vorhaben,
• vergessen,
• beschließen,
• versprechen

Examples:

• Ich hoffe, bald Urlaub zu machen (I hope to take a vacation soon.)
• Wir haben vor, ein Haus zu kaufen (We plan to buy a house.)

4. Variations

Infinitive clauses often appear with special connectors:

• um … zu = in order to
  • Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu arbeiten (I learn German in order to work in Germany.)
• ohne … zu = without doing
  • Er ging weg, ohne ein Wort zu sagen. (He left without saying a word.)
• anstatt … zu = instead of doing
  • Sie sieht fern, anstatt zu lernen. (She watches TV instead of studying.)

5. Important Limitation

• Infinitive clauses **do not have their own subject**.
• If the subject is different, a full subordinate clause (Nebensatz with "dass") is required.

Different subject → Nebensatz: