About us
Our goal is not to overload students with heavy grammar, turning them into philologists, but to teach a real, living language. The one you hear in a store, the one that allows you to communicate, meet people and clearly articulate your thoughts in a foreign language.
sales team
Infinitive in German
14.11.2024
3 minutes to read
The infinitive in German is the base form of a verb, a sort of initial step for any action. Imagine that the verb stands in its original form, unchanged, as in the dictionary. For example, “gehen” is “to go.” The infinitive does not change in person or number, and it is often used after certain words like “mögen” or “wollen”. Once you understand the infinitive, it becomes easier to construct sentences and understand what someone wants to do.
Table of contents
The infinitive in German is the basic, initial form of the verb. It is the form we usually find in the dictionary. For example, if you open a German dictionary and look up the word “laufen” (to run), it is the infinitive. It does not indicate tense, person, or number. The infinitive is needed to understand what the action itself denotes, without reference to who is doing it or when it occurs. It is important to remember that in German, the infinitive is often used with other verbs to form more complex sentence structures, such as with modal verbs (können - can, sollen - must) or in some stable expressions. In addition, the infinitive is used when we talk about intentions, desires or the need to perform some action.
What is an infinitive in German and what is it for?
How the infinitive is formed in German: the main forms
The formation of the infinitive in German is relatively simple. As a rule, verbs in the infinitive end in -en or -n. For example, verbs such as “machen” (to do), “sehen” (to see), and “gehen” (to go) form the infinitive by adding the ending -en. Some verbs can have a form with the ending -n, such as “sein” (to be) or “tun” (to do).
It is important to note that the infinitive does not change in person and number as it does with verbs in conjugation. For example, in the sentence “Ich gehe” (I go), the verb “gehen” changes in person and number, while in the infinitive form it remains unchanged - “gehen”. Also note that some strong and irregular verbs can change the root when conjugated (e.g. “fahren” - “fährt” in 3rd person singular), but the infinitive form remains the same.
It is important to note that the infinitive does not change in person and number as it does with verbs in conjugation. For example, in the sentence “Ich gehe” (I go), the verb “gehen” changes in person and number, while in the infinitive form it remains unchanged - “gehen”. Also note that some strong and irregular verbs can change the root when conjugated (e.g. “fahren” - “fährt” in 3rd person singular), but the infinitive form remains the same.
How the infinitive is used in German
The infinitive in German is used in different situations. It serves to express a general action that is not related to a specific time or person. For example, constructions with modal verbs are built with the infinitive: “Ich kann schwimmen” (I can swim), ‘Sie will reisen’ (She wants to travel). The infinitive is also used in other cases, for example, after verbs expressing intention, desire or necessity, as well as in sentences with constructions where the action has not yet taken place, but is only planned.
Use of the particle zu before the infinitive
In German, the particle zu is often used before the infinitive to form certain constructions. Zu helps to show that an action has not yet taken place, but is planned or expected. For example, “Ich habe vor, zu lernen” (I am going to study).
Most often, zu is used after verbs of motion and verbs that describe intentions or plans. For example: “Ich habe angefangen, zu lesen” (I started reading), ‘Er hört auf, zu rauchen’ (He stops smoking). Also, the particle zu is put after some verbs, such as “bitten” (to ask), “hoffen” (to hope), “versuchen” (to try): “Ich versuche, zu schlafen” (I am trying to sleep).
Most often, zu is used after verbs of motion and verbs that describe intentions or plans. For example: “Ich habe angefangen, zu lesen” (I started reading), ‘Er hört auf, zu rauchen’ (He stops smoking). Also, the particle zu is put after some verbs, such as “bitten” (to ask), “hoffen” (to hope), “versuchen” (to try): “Ich versuche, zu schlafen” (I am trying to sleep).
Rules for using the infinitive without the particle zu
The infinitive can also be used without the particle zu. This happens in certain cases, especially with modal verbs such as “können” (can), “wollen” (want), “sollen” (must), “dürfen” (allowed), “möchten” (would). For example:
“Ich kann schwimmen” (I can swim).
“Du darfst gehen” (You are allowed to leave).
“Sie will nach Hause gehen” (She wants to go home).
This rule also applies to constructions with verbs that express necessity or obligation, such as “müssen” (must): “Ich muss arbeiten” (I have to work). In such cases the infinitive is always used without zu.
Also, the infinitive without zu is used after verbs of motion or transitive verbs when they indicate the direction of action. For example: “Er geht einkaufen” (He is going shopping), ‘Wir fahren nach Hause’ (We are going home). The particle zu is not needed here, because verbs of motion are always used with the infinitive without zu.
“Ich kann schwimmen” (I can swim).
“Du darfst gehen” (You are allowed to leave).
“Sie will nach Hause gehen” (She wants to go home).
This rule also applies to constructions with verbs that express necessity or obligation, such as “müssen” (must): “Ich muss arbeiten” (I have to work). In such cases the infinitive is always used without zu.
Also, the infinitive without zu is used after verbs of motion or transitive verbs when they indicate the direction of action. For example: “Er geht einkaufen” (He is going shopping), ‘Wir fahren nach Hause’ (We are going home). The particle zu is not needed here, because verbs of motion are always used with the infinitive without zu.
Complex infinitive forms
German also has compound infinitive forms, which consist of an infinitive and auxiliary verbs. These forms are often used to express an action that is to take place in the future or that has already been completed. For example, the infinitive can be combined with the verbs haben (to have) or sein (to be) to form the perfect or future tenses.
Infinitiv + haben - e.g. “Ich hoffe, es gemacht zu haben” (I hope I did it).
Infinitiv + sein - e.g., “Er ist gekommen, um zu helfen” (He came to help).
These constructions help to convey that the action is not just happening, but has certain temporal or logical connections with other events in the past, present or future.
Infinitiv + haben - e.g. “Ich hoffe, es gemacht zu haben” (I hope I did it).
Infinitiv + sein - e.g., “Er ist gekommen, um zu helfen” (He came to help).
These constructions help to convey that the action is not just happening, but has certain temporal or logical connections with other events in the past, present or future.
This website uses cookies to give you the best possible experience.
OK
