B2-13 · Express duties and possibilities with sein + zu
Leadership
Describe management duties and practical limits using sein plus a zu-infinitive.
About 5 minutes to read · 12 quiz questions
01
Responsibility without naming the actor
At the fictional studio Faden, manager Nora assigns responsibilities. Sein + zu + infinitive can express what must be done. The thing affected becomes the subject, much like in a passive sentence.
Die Frist ist einzuhalten.
The deadline must be met.
Die Aufgaben sind klar zu verteilen.
The tasks must be assigned clearly.
Die Entscheidung ist schriftlich zu begründen.
The decision must be justified in writing.
Die Zuständigkeiten sind vor Beginn zu klären.
Responsibilities must be clarified before the start.
Die Frist ist einzuhalten means that someone must meet the deadline. For a separable verb, put zu between the prefix and the stem.
02
When the meaning is possibility
The same construction can express what can be done. Words such as leicht, kaum and nicht often help you read this meaning. Nora checks whether a plan is practical before assigning it.
Das Problem ist mit dieser Anleitung leicht zu lösen.
The problem can easily be solved with these instructions.
Der Plan ist unter diesen Bedingungen nicht umzusetzen.
The plan cannot be implemented under these conditions.
Die Zahlen sind in der Tabelle leicht zu finden.
The figures can easily be found in the table.
Der Bericht ist ohne Passwort nicht zu öffnen.
The report cannot be opened without a password.
Context decides between necessity and possibility. Leicht zu lösen means easy to solve. Nicht zu lösen can mean impossible to solve in the stated circumstances.
03
Give a precise instruction
Nora's checklist uses the construction to make duties concise. Name the task and add a deadline or recipient when needed. The infinitive stays at the end, even when other details intervene.
Die Ergebnisse sind bis Freitag vorzulegen.
The results must be submitted by Friday.
Die Risiken sind regelmäßig zu überprüfen.
The risks must be checked regularly.
Die verantwortliche Person ist im Protokoll anzugeben.
The person responsible must be named in the minutes.
Die Rückmeldung ist an Nora weiterzuleiten.
The feedback must be forwarded to Nora.
Anzugeben comes from angeben. Zu überprüfen has zu before the whole verb because überprüfen is not separable.
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