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Mastering German Grammar: Zu + Infinitiv, Prepositions + -einander, and Temporal Clauses

Learning German can seem daunting, but with a structured approach to its grammar, you can master it effectively. In this post, we will dive deep into three essential German grammar concepts: Zu + Infinitiv, Prepositions + -einander, and Temporal Clauses with wenn and als. These elements are crucial for forming complex sentences and enhancing your fluency. Let’s explore each in detail.

Understanding Zu + Infinitiv

The “zu + infinitiv” structure in German is similar to the English “to + verb” construction. It’s commonly used in various contexts, such as following specific verbs, expressions with nouns and “haben,” phrases with “es ist + adjective,” and “es macht …” expressions. Here’s how to use it effectively:

1. After Certain Verbs

Certain verbs inherently require the “zu + infinitiv” structure. These include verbs like anfangen (to begin), aufhören (to stop), beschließen (to decide), and planen (to plan).

Examples:

• Sie beginnt, ein Buch zu schreiben. (She begins to write a book.)
• Er hat aufgehört, zu rauchen. (He has stopped smoking.)
• Sie beschließt, ihre Freunde zu besuchen. (She decides to visit her friends.)
• Wir planen, nach Italien zu reisen. (We plan to travel to Italy.)

2. Expressions with Noun + haben

Expressions involving a noun followed by the verb “haben” also use the “zu + infinitiv” structure.

Examples:

• Er hat die Möglichkeit, ein neues Projekt zu starten. (He has the opportunity to start a new project.)
• Common expressions: Zeit haben (to have time), Lust haben (to be in the mood), Chance haben (to have the chance).

3. Expressions with “Es ist + Adjective”

When describing conditions or states with “es ist” (it is) followed by an adjective, the “zu + infinitiv” structure is used.

Examples:

• Es ist wichtig, jeden Tag Deutsch zu lernen. (It is important to learn German every day.)
• Common adjectives: gut (good), schlecht (bad), einfach (easy), notwendig (necessary).

4. Expressions with “Es macht …”

Expressions that involve “es macht” (it makes) followed by a noun also use this structure.

Examples:

• Es macht Freude, im Park zu joggen. (It is enjoyable to jog in the park.)
• Common expressions: Spaß machen (to be fun), Freude machen (to bring joy), Sorgen machen (to cause worry).

Key Rule:
The infinitive with “zu” stands at the end of the sentence. For separable verbs, “zu” is placed between the prefix and the verb stem. For example:

anzusehen from ansehen (to watch).

Prepositions + -einander (Each Other)

In German, prepositions combined with the suffix “-einander” express reciprocal actions between people. These constructions enhance clarity and detail in communication.

Examples:

• miteinander (with each other):
  Marie und Tom haben jeden Tag miteinander telefoniert. (Marie and Tom talked with each other on the phone every day.)
• gegeneinander (against each other):
  Die Teams haben gegeneinander gespielt. (The teams played against each other.)
• füreinander (for each other):
  Die Geschwister sind immer füreinander da. (The siblings are always there for each other.)
• ineinander (in love with each other):
  Emma und Max haben sich ineinander verliebt. (Emma and Max fell in love with each other.)

Temporal Clauses with wenn and als

Temporal clauses help you describe when an event happens. The choice between “wenn” and “als” depends on the nature of the event being described.

1. Single Event in the Past: “als”

Use “als” for single, non-repeated events in the past.

Example:

• Als ich in Deutschland ankam, war es schon dunkel. (When I arrived in Germany, it was already dark.)

2. Repeated Events in the Past; Events in Present and Future: “wenn”

Use “wenn” for events that happened repeatedly in the past or for events occurring in the present and future.

Examples:

• Past: Immer wenn ich meine Tante besucht habe, brachte sie mir Kuchen. (Whenever I visited my aunt, she brought me cake.)
• Present/Future: Wenn wir morgen ins Kino gehen, kaufen wir Popcorn. (When we go to the cinema tomorrow, we will buy popcorn.)

Key Points:

• “als” is used for unique past events.
• “wenn” is used for repeated events or events in the present/future.

Summary

Understanding these three German grammar concepts can significantly enhance your ability to form complex sentences and communicate more effectively. Here’s a quick summary:

• Zu + Infinitiv: Used after certain verbs, expressions with Noun + haben, “es ist + adjective,” and “es macht …” expressions.
• Prepositions + -einander: Express reciprocal actions using combinations like miteinander, gegeneinander, füreinander, ineinander.
• Temporal Clauses: Use “als” for single past events and “wenn” for repeated past events and present/future events.

By mastering these structures, you’ll be well on your way to achieving fluency in German. Keep practicing, and soon these constructions will become second nature!

Tables for Quick Reference

Zu + Infinitiv

Prepositions + -einander

Temporal Clauses

By referring to these tables, you can quickly recall how to use these important German grammar structures. Happy learning!