B1 German GrammarInfinitive vs Gerund
Learn how German expresses concepts that English handles with infinitives ('to do') and gerunds ('doing'). German uses infinitive constructions with 'zu', nominalized infinitives, and specific verb patterns that differ significantly from English usage.
1The Infinitive with zu
German uses 'zu + infinitive' similarly to English 'to + verb'. The infinitive always goes to the end of the clause. With separable verbs, 'zu' is inserted between the prefix and the main verb (anzufangen, aufzustehen). This construction is very common after certain verbs, adjectives, and nouns.
Infinitive with zu
| German | English | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Ich versuche zu schlafen. | I try to sleep. | verb + zu + infinitive |
| Es ist schwer zu verstehen. | It is hard to understand. | adj + zu + infinitive |
| Er hat keine Zeit zu essen. | He has no time to eat. | noun + zu + infinitive |
| Sie plant anzufangen. | She plans to start. | separable: an-zu-fangen |
Examples
Ich hoffe, dich bald wiederzusehen.
I hope to see you again soon.
wieder-zu-sehen (separable)
Es ist wichtig, genug zu schlafen.
It is important to sleep enough.
Adjective + zu + infinitive
Er versucht, das Problem zu lösen.
He is trying to solve the problem.
Verb (versuchen) + zu + infinitive
Sie hat beschlossen, früh aufzustehen.
She has decided to get up early.
auf-zu-stehen (separable)
2Verbs Requiring zu + Infinitive
Many German verbs require 'zu + infinitive' for a following verb, similar to English verbs that take 'to + verb'. Common examples include versuchen (to try), hoffen (to hope), planen (to plan), beginnen (to begin), and aufhören (to stop). The infinitive clause often follows a comma.
Common Verbs + zu + Infinitive
| Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| versuchen | to try | Ich versuche, ruhig zu bleiben. |
| hoffen | to hope | Wir hoffen, zu gewinnen. |
| beginnen | to begin | Er beginnt, Deutsch zu lernen. |
| aufhören | to stop | Sie hört auf, zu rauchen. |
| vergessen | to forget | Vergiss nicht, anzurufen! |
Examples
Er hat vergessen, das Licht auszumachen.
He forgot to turn off the light.
vergessen + zu + infinitive
Wir planen, nächstes Jahr umzuziehen.
We plan to move next year.
planen + zu + infinitive
Sie fängt an, das Buch zu lesen.
She is starting to read the book.
anfangen + zu + infinitive
Ich empfehle dir, früher zu kommen.
I recommend you to come earlier.
empfehlen + zu + infinitive
3Infinitive Without zu (Modal Verbs)
Modal verbs (können, müssen, wollen, sollen, dürfen, mögen) and certain other verbs like lassen, sehen, hören take a bare infinitive WITHOUT 'zu'. These verbs form a verb bracket with the infinitive at the end. This is one major difference from English patterns.
Infinitive Without zu
| Verb | Example German | Example English |
|---|---|---|
| können | Ich kann schwimmen. | I can swim. |
| müssen | Du musst arbeiten. | You must work. |
| lassen | Sie lässt das Auto reparieren. | She has the car repaired. |
| sehen | Ich sehe ihn kommen. | I see him coming. |
| hören | Wir hören sie singen. | We hear her singing. |
Examples
Er will morgen abreisen.
He wants to leave tomorrow.
wollen + infinitive (no zu)
Du sollst mehr Sport treiben.
You should do more sports.
sollen + infinitive (no zu)
Ich lasse mir die Haare schneiden.
I'm having my hair cut.
lassen + infinitive (no zu)
Wir hören die Kinder spielen.
We hear the children playing.
hören + infinitive (no zu)
4Nominalized Infinitives (The Gerund Equivalent)
German can turn any infinitive into a noun by capitalizing it and giving it neuter gender (das). This 'nominalized infinitive' is how German often expresses what English does with gerunds (-ing forms). Examples: das Schwimmen (swimming), das Lesen (reading), das Kochen (cooking).
Nominalized Infinitives
| Infinitive | Nominalized Form | English Gerund |
|---|---|---|
| schwimmen | das Schwimmen | swimming |
| lesen | das Lesen | reading |
| reisen | das Reisen | traveling |
| kochen | das Kochen | cooking |
| lernen | das Lernen | learning |
Examples
Das Rauchen ist hier verboten.
Smoking is forbidden here.
das Rauchen = smoking (noun)
Ich liebe das Wandern in den Bergen.
I love hiking in the mountains.
das Wandern = hiking (noun)
Das Warten macht mich nervös.
Waiting makes me nervous.
das Warten = waiting (noun)
Beim Kochen höre ich Musik.
While cooking, I listen to music.
beim = bei dem (while + gerund)