B1 → Grammar · Lesson 9 of 23

German Infinitive Constructions: Um Zu, Ohne Zu, Statt Zu

Infinitivkonstruktionen

Before this lesson: make sure you've covered Cause, Result, Contrast & Condition first.

You know simple zu-infinitives from A2 (versuchen, zu...). B1 adds three powerful constructions that replace whole subordinate clauses: um...zu (in order to), ohne...zu (without doing), and statt...zu (instead of doing) — all used when the subject of both actions is the same person.

Types you should know

um ... zu

in order to — purpose

ohne ... zu

without doing something

statt ... zu

instead of doing something

See it in action

German	English
Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu arbeiten.	I'm learning German in order to work in Germany.
Er ging, ohne sich zu verabschieden.	He left without saying goodbye.
Sie blieb zu Hause, statt zur Party zu gehen.	She stayed home instead of going to the party.

Memory trick: Use um/ohne/statt...zu only when BOTH actions have the same subject. If the subjects are different, you need damit instead: "Ich helfe dir, damit du fertig wirst" (I help you so that YOU finish) — not um...zu, since 'I' and 'you' are different people.

⚠ Common mistake: Don't use um...zu when the two clauses have different subjects — that's a job for damit.

🎯 Quick check

Which construction means 'without doing something'?

German Infinitive Constructions: Um Zu, Ohne Zu, Statt Zu

Types you should know

See it in action

🎯 Quick check

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