German Grammar A–Z
Look up German grammar topics A–Z, organized by category and level — with clear explanations and examples.
Infinitive Constructions with ohne … zu and (an)statt … zu
Infinitive constructions (Infinitivkonstruktionen) with ohne…zu and (an)statt……… zu are a special kind of subordinate clause (Nebensatz) because the subject in this clause has been omitted. They also do not depend on the verb in the main clause (Hauptsatz). In today's article we will learn together how to use these two special infinitive constructions.
| ohne...zu | (an)statt...zu | |
|---|---|---|
| Similarities |
- The infinitive verb (Infinitiv) comes after zu and stands at the end of the subordinate clause. - The subject of the main clause (Hauptsatz) must be the same as the subject of the subordinate clause (Nebensatz) with ohne…zu and (an)statt...zu. In that case, the subject of the subordinate clause is omitted. Der Autofahrer fährt in der Nacht Auto, ohne das Licht einzuschalten. (The driver drives at night without turning on the lights.) Hans bleibt lieber zu Hause, anstatt seinem Freund zu helfen. (Hans would rather stay at home than help his friend.) |
|
| Differences |
- This construction is used in place of a negation. Both events or actions in the two clauses have happened. + Peter ist nach Hause gegangen, ohne sich zu verabschieden. (Peter went home without saying goodbye.) → Peter ist nach Hause gegangen. Er hat sich nicht verabschiedet. + Er hat Deutsch gelernt, ohne einen Deutschkurs zu besuchen. (He learned German without taking any course.) → Er hat Deutsch gelernt. Er hat keinen Deutschkurs besucht. + Er ist Auto gefahren, ohne einen Führerschein zu haben. (He drove a car without having a driver's license.) → Er ist Auto gefahren. Er hat keinen Führerschein. |
- This construction is used to express a different, unexpected event or action that lies outside expectations. The event or action in the main clause has happened. The subordinate clause describes an event or action that is not real for the subject. + Ich bleibe zu Hause, statt mit meinen Freunden an den Strand zu gehen. (I stay at home instead of going to the beach with my friends.) → Me staying at home is an action that has taken place, it is the truth. Going to the beach is a different action, and it is not real for me. + Du solltest Hausaufgaben machen, anstatt den ganzen Tag Computerspiele zu spielen. (You should do your homework instead of playing computer games all day.) → The child does not do homework and plays on the computer all day. This is an unexpected action. The child doing homework is not real. |
!!! Note: When the subject of the main clause and the subject of the subordinate clause are different, we do not use the construction ohne…zu or anstatt….zu but use the construction ohne dass and anstatt dass
Meine Tochter ist eingeschlafen, ohne dass ich ihr ein Lied vorgesungen habe.
(My daughter fell asleep without me singing her a song.)
Anstatt dass er seine Hausaufgaben macht, geht er mit seinen Freunden ins Kino.
(Instead of doing his homework, he goes to the cinema with his friends.)
