Infinitive – Free Exercise

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Exercises

Decide whether the infinitive is used with or without zu.

  1. Sie lässt mich immer .lassen → infinitive without zuShe always keeps me waiting.
  2. Mein Großvater pflegte Pfeife .pflegen meaning do regulary → infinitive with zuMy grandfather used to smoke a pipe.
  3. Diese Übung scheint sehr einfach .scheinen meaning give an impression → infinitive with zuThis exercise seems to be very easy.
  4. Gehst du mit uns zusammen ?gehen is a verb of movement → infinitive without zuAre you going shopping with us?
  5. Mit dir habe ich noch ein Hühnchen .haben meaning have to → infinitive mit zuI have a bone to pick with you.
  6. Er hat die Katze auf seinem Schoß .haben with location (on his lap)→ infinitive without zuThe cat is sitting on his lap.
  7. Wir bleiben im alten Haus .bleiben meaning remain in a specific state → infinitive without zuWe’re going to carry on living in the old house.
  8. Du brauchst morgen nicht .brauchen meaning need not → infinitive with zuYou don’t need to come tomorrow.
  9. Julia neigt dazu, etwas .most verbs (like neigen) are used with the infinitive with zu
    The infinitive clause is not the subject → infinitive with zu    Julia tends to exaggerate a little.
  10. Er spürte sein Herz schneller .spüren is a verb of the senses → infinitive without zuHe felt his heart beating faster.

Complete the sentences using the infinitive with or without zu.

  1. Möchtest du es noch einmal (versuchen)  ?möchten = modal verb → infinitive without zuWould you like to try again?
  2. Deine Eltern brauchen nicht (mitkommen)  .brauchen (= need) → infinitive with zu
    For verbs with a separable prefix, we put zu between the prefix and the verb.    You're parents don’t need to come.
  3. Du weißt mich immer (überzeugen)  .wissen (= know) → infinitive with zu
    Inseparable verb → zu before the verb    You always know how to convince me.
  4. Das Auto bleibt wieder (stecken)  .bleiben (= remain in a specific state) → infinitive without zuThe car got stuck again.
  5. Wir bitten euch, die Schuhe (ausziehen)  .infinitive clause → infinitive with zu
    For verbs with a separable prefix, we put zu between the prefix and the verb.    Please take off your shoes.