A2-31 · Connect an action with zu

Technology

Use infinitives with zu after versuchen, vergessen and expressions such as es ist wichtig, including separable verbs.

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An adult tries to open an app on a tablet beside a laptop and a charging cable.

Try to solve a problem

Versuchen means to try. It can introduce an action with zu plus an infinitive: Ich versuche, die App zu öffnen. The person doing both actions is the same in these examples.

Ich versuche, die App zu öffnen.

I am trying to open the app.

Mara versucht, die Datei zu speichern.

Mara is trying to save the file.

Wir versuchen, das Gerät zu reparieren.

We are trying to repair the device.

Ben versucht, das Problem zu lösen.

Ben is trying to solve the problem.

Die App means app, die Datei file and das Gerät device. The zu-group has no new subject. Keep its action at the end.

A learner checks a computer's power switch and download screen while making notes.

Remember a technical task

Vergessen means to forget. It can also introduce a zu-infinitive. With a separable verb, put zu between the prefix and the verb: einschalten → einzuschalten; herunterladen → herunterzuladen.

Ich habe vergessen, den Computer auszuschalten.

I forgot to switch off the computer.

Ben versucht, das Gerät einzuschalten.

Ben is trying to switch on the device.

Mara hat vergessen, die Datei herunterzuladen.

Mara forgot to download the file.

Wir versuchen, die App aufzumachen.

We are trying to open the app.

Ausschalten means to switch off, einschalten to switch on and herunterladen to download. The zu-infinitive is written as one word for these separable verbs.

An adult saves a document and organises files on a laptop in a quiet workspace.

Say what is useful or important

Expressions such as Es ist wichtig and Es ist einfach can introduce a zu-infinitive. They describe the following action: Es ist wichtig, die Datei zu speichern.

Es ist wichtig, die Datei zu speichern.

It is important to save the file.

Es ist einfach, die App zu öffnen.

It is easy to open the app.

Ich kann die Datei speichern.

I can save the file.

Wir versuchen, das Passwort zu ändern.

We are trying to change the password.

Do not add zu after a modal verb: Ich kann die Datei speichern. Compare that with Ich versuche, die Datei zu speichern. The first verb determines the pattern.

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