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Infinitive Clauses

zu and um...zu

zu + infinitive after many verbs

Like English 'to do'.

💬 Examples
Ich versuche zu schlafen.
I try to sleep.
📝 versuchen + zu + infinitive
Es ist wichtig zu üben.
It is important to practise.
📝 zu + infinitive at the end
um ... zu for purpose

'In order to' uses um ... zu.

📊 Infinitive constructions
Construction Meaning Example
zu + inf. to do zu lernen
um...zu in order to um zu lernen
ohne...zu without doing ohne zu fragen
statt...zu instead of doing statt zu warten
💬 Examples
Ich lerne, um zu bestehen.
I study in order to pass.
📝 um ... zu + infinitive
Er geht zum Markt, um Brot zu kaufen.
He goes to the market to buy bread.
📝 um Brot zu kaufen
Separable verbs put zu inside

zu goes between the prefix and the stem.

💬 Examples
anzurufen
to call
📝 an + zu + rufen
Ich habe vergessen, dich anzurufen.
I forgot to call you.
📝 zu inside the separable verb