What are Infinitive Constructions?
- Infinitive constructions are clauses with „um…zu…“, „ohne…zu…“, and „(an)statt…zu…“
- They aren‘t related to the verb and each construction has its own specific meaning.
- They are related to infinitive phrases because both have no subject and use the infinitive + zu at the end of the clause.
Clauses with „um… zu…“
The construction „um… zu…“ expresses a purpose, intention, or goal.
Questions: Wozu? Wofür? Zu welchem Zweck?
- „Wofür lernst du Deutsch?“
„Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Deutschland arbeiten zu können.“
„Ich lerne Deutsch, um mit den Eltern von meinem Mann sprechen zu können.
Condition for the use of „um… zu…“: the subjects of the main clause and the subordinate clause must be the same.
- „Ich gehe einkaufen, damit ich morgen noch etwas zum Essen im Kühlschrank habe.“
= „Ich gehe einkaufen, um morgen noch etwas zum Essen im Kühlschrank zu haben.“
- „Ich spiele in eurem Team, damit beide Teams gleich stark sind.“
No „um…zu…“ construction is possible (see Final Clauses)
Clauses with „ohne… zu…“
The construction „ohne… zu…“ expresses a negation or a limitation.
- „Er hat die Party verlassen, ohne Tschüss zu sagen.“
⇒ He didn‘t say goodbye.
- „Er hat Deutsch gelernt, ohne einen Deutschkurs zu besuchen.“
⇒ He didn‘t take a German course.
- „Er ist Auto gefahren, ohne einen Führerschein zu haben.“
⇒ He didn‘t have a driver‘s license.
Condition for the für use of „ohne… zu…“: The subjects of the main clause and the subordinate clause must be the same
- „Ich schreibe den Test, ohne dass ich gelernt habe.“
= „Ich schreibe den Test, ohne gelernt zu haben.“
- „Meine Tochter ist einschlafen, ohne dass ich ihr ein Lied vorgesungen habe.“
⇒ No „ohne…zu…“ construction is possible (see Modal Clauses).
Clauses with „(an)statt… zu…“
The construction „(an)statt… zu…“ describes a replacement action or a situation that wasn‘t expected.
- „Ich bleibe zu Hause, statt mit meinen Freunden an den Strand zu gehen.“
⇒ Unexpected action (I don‘t want to, I have to study, or …).
- „Du solltest Hausaufgaben machen, anstatt den ganzen Tag Computerspiele zu spielen.“
⇒ The child (unexpectedly) hasn‘t done his homework and instead played computer games the whole day.
Condition for the use of „(an)statt… zu…“: The subjects of the main clause and subordinate clause must be the same.
- „Ich bleibe zu Hause, anstatt dass ich in den Urlaub fahre.“
= „Ich bleibe zu Hause, anstatt in den Urlaub zu fahren.“
There is no example that makes sense in which the two subjects aren‘t the same, but in case you find one, the rule still applies:
No „(an)statt…zu…“ construction is possible. (see. Modal Clauses)
Summary
- Infinitive constructions are subordinate clauses with „um…zu…“, „ohne…zu…“, or „(an)statt…zu…“
- „um…zu…“ describes a purpose, intention, or a goal.
- „ohne…zu…“ gives a negation or a limitation.
- „(an)statt…zu…“ is a replacement action or something unexpected.
- In order to use an infinitive construction the subjects of the MC and SC must be the same.
Further Information
- Infinitive Phrases are used by certain verbs as well.
- A general overview and explanations for subordinate clause can be found in the lecture: Subordinate Clause
- All about temporal subordinate clause in the lecture: Temporal Clause and “wenn/als“
- The following are subordinating conjunctions: „dass“, „weil/da“, „obwohl“, „damit“, „wenn/falls“, „so dass“, „indem“ and „als/wenn“
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