When using three verbs in a subordinate clause, the finite verb normally
is at the end of the clause:Ich weiß nicht, ob die E-Mail schon abgeschickt worden ist.
I don’t know whether the e-mail has been sent yet.Verbs in zu +infinitive clauses
The infinitive in final position
Inzu+infinitiveclauses, the verb in the infinitive form appears at the
end.Er hofft, im Lotto zugewinnen.
He hopes to win the lottery.Ich habe keine Zeit, ins Kino zugehen.
I don’t have time to go to the cinema.Ist es schwierig, Karten zu kaufen?
Is it difficult to buy tickets?zu+infinitiveclauses often follow verbs such as aufhören‘to stop’, hoffen
‘to hope’, versuchen‘to try’ and expressions which consist of verb + noun
(Ich habe keine Zeit.. .) or verb + adjective (Ist es schwierig.. .).The construction um zu– ‘in order to’
When using the construction um zu ‘in order to’, umis at the beginning
of the clause, while zu+ infinitive appears at the end: Er läuft viel, um
fit zu bleiben. ‘He runs a lot (in order) to stay fit.’Verbs in the imperative
Finite verb in the first position
In the imperative or command form the finite verb is usually the first
element. This pattern applies to all threeimperative forms in German:Setzdich! Sit down! (duform)
Esstnicht so viel! Don’t eat so much! (ihrform)
NotierenSie das! Write this down! (Sieform)144 Unit 19: Word order and sentence structure