um...zu / ohne...zu
Um ... zu means in order to and expresses purpose, ohne ... zu means without doing something, and anstatt or statt ... zu means instead of doing something. All three wrap around the clause: the connector opens it, any objects follow, and zu plus the infinitive closes it — Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu arbeiten.
Express purpose and manner with infinitive clauses.
Lesson at a glance
Summary
Express purpose and manner with infinitive clauses.
- 9 rules
- 12 worked examples
- 18 interactive exercises
Rules & Explanations
um zu ohne zu Introduction
Einführung: um zu, ohne zu, anstatt zu
IN order to learn, without learning, instead of learning — German uses special constructions: um ... zu, ohne ... zu, anstatt ... zu. These express purpose, absence, and alternatives!
German uses um ... zu (in order to), ohne ... zu (without doing), anstatt/statt ... zu (instead of doing). The infinitive always goes to the end!
English: in order to (purpose), without + -ing (absence), instead of + -ing (alternative).
Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu arbeiten.
I learn German in order to work in Germany.
um starts the clause, zu + infinitive at the end.
These constructions let you express purpose, contrast, and alternatives — essential for complex communication!
um ... zu (in order to)
um ... zu (um zu)
um ... zu = in order to. Expresses purpose. um starts, zu + infinitive at the end.
um ... zu = um zu. Drückt Zweck aus. um am Anfang, zu + Infinitiv am Ende.
| German | English | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu arbeiten. | I learn German in order to work in Germany. | purpose/goal |
| Er spart Geld, um ein Auto zu kaufen. | He saves money in order to buy a car. | purpose/goal |
| Sie geht früh ins Bett, um fit zu sein. | She goes to bed early in order to be fit. | purpose/goal |
um ... zu = in order to. um opens, zu + infinitive closes. Why are you doing it? → um ... zu!
um = start of purpose clause. zu + infinitive = end. Everything else in between.
Common Mistakes
-
✗ Ich lerne Deutsch um zu in Deutschland arbeiten.
✓ Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu arbeiten.
zu comes directly before the infinitive at the end: um ... zu arbeiten.
ohne ... zu (without doing)
ohne ... zu (ohne zu)
ohne ... zu = without doing. English uses -ing, German uses zu + infinitive.
ohne ... zu = ohne zu tun. Englisch benutzt -ing, Deutsch zu + Infinitiv.
| German | English | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Er ging, ohne zu bezahlen. | He left without paying. | absence of action |
| Sie arbeitet, ohne Pause zu machen. | She works without taking a break. | absence of action |
| Er hat geantwortet, ohne nachzudenken. | He answered without thinking. | absence of action |
ohne ... zu = without + -ing. Er ging, ohne zu bezahlen = He left without paying.
English: without + -ing. German: ohne ... zu + infinitive.
Common Mistakes
-
✗ Er ging ohne bezahlen.
✓ Er ging, ohne zu bezahlen.
ohne needs zu! ohne ... zu + infinitive.
anstatt/statt ... zu (instead of doing)
anstatt/statt ... zu
anstatt/statt ... zu = instead of doing. Both forms are correct.
anstatt/statt ... zu = anstatt zu tun. Beide Formen sind richtig.
| German | English | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anstatt zu arbeiten, spielt er. | Instead of working, he plays. | alternative action |
| Statt zu Hause zu bleiben, ging sie aus. | Instead of staying home, she went out. | alternative action |
| Er liest, anstatt fernzusehen. | He reads instead of watching tv. | alternative action |
anstatt/statt ... zu = instead of + -ing. What you do not do + what you do instead.
English: instead of + -ing. German: anstatt/statt ... zu + infinitive.
Common Mistakes
-
✗ Anstatt arbeiten, spielt er.
✓ Anstatt zu arbeiten, spielt er.
anstatt needs zu! anstatt ... zu + infinitive.
With Separable Verbs
Mit trennbaren Verben
Same rule as before: zu goes in the middle of separable verbs!
Gleiche Regel: zu geht in die Mitte von trennbaren Verben!
| Construction | Separable Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| um ... zu | anrufen → anzurufen | um dich anzurufen |
| ohne ... zu | aufstehen → aufzustehen | ohne aufzustehen |
| anstatt ... zu | fernsehen → fernzusehen | anstatt fernzusehen |
Separable verbs: um ... anzurufen, ohne ... aufzustehen, anstatt ... fernzusehen.
Prefix + zu + verb = one word. anzurufen, aufzustehen, fernzusehen.
Same Subject Rule
Gleiches Subjekt
um/ohne/anstatt ... zu only works when both clauses share the same subject! If the subjects are different, you need "damit" instead — you will learn that later in the course.
um/ohne/anstatt ... zu gilt nur, wenn beide Sätze das gleiche Subjekt haben! Bei verschiedenen Subjekten brauchst du "damit" — das lernst du später im Kurs.
Same subject: um zu.
Ich lerne, um zu verstehen. (ich / ich = gleiches Subjekt)
(an)statt ... zu and the Same-Subject Rule
(an)statt ... zu und die Regel vom gleichen Subjekt
um, ohne and (an)statt + zu only work when both parts of the sentence share the same subject. With two different subjects, this construction does not work.
um, ohne und (an)statt + zu funktionieren nur, wenn beide Satzteile dasselbe Subjekt haben. Bei zwei verschiedenen Subjekten geht das nicht.
| Beispiel | Englisch | Hinweis |
|---|---|---|
| Anstatt zu arbeiten, geht er spazieren. | Instead of working, he goes for a walk. | gleiches Subjekt: er / er |
| Ich helfe dir, anstatt selbst zu lernen. | I help you instead of studying myself. | gleiches Subjekt: ich / ich |
| (zwei verschiedene Subjekte) | (two different subjects) | kein zu-Satz möglich |
Check the subject of both actions first; only matching subjects allow um/ohne/(an)statt ... zu.
Same subject twice? Use zu. Two different subjects? Then um/ohne/(an)statt ... zu does not work.
Moving and Planning a Trip
Umzug und Reiseplanung
Julia
Wir packen heute Kisten, um am Wochenende umzuziehen.
We are packing boxes today in order to move this weekend.
um ... umzuziehen
Mark
Ohne deine Hilfe würde ich das nicht schaffen.
Without your help I would not manage that.
Ohne deine Hilfe
Julia
Kein Problem! Statt fernzusehen, helfe ich dir lieber.
No problem! Instead of watching TV, I'd rather help you.
Statt fernzusehen
Mark
Wir planen später die Reise, um uns zu erholen.
We'll plan the trip later in order to relax.
um ... zu erholen
Julia
Gute Idee. Ich habe keine Lust, den ganzen Tag zu arbeiten.
Good idea. I don't feel like working all day.
Lust, ... zu arbeiten
Mark
Genau. Anstatt zu arbeiten, sollten wir Pläne machen.
Exactly. Instead of working, we should make plans.
Anstatt zu arbeiten
Two friends talk about the move and the next trip.
Zwei Freunde sprechen über den Umzug und die nächste Reise.
Common Mistakes with um/ohne/(an)statt ... zu
Häufige Fehler mit um/ohne/(an)statt ... zu
These three mistakes turn up often in exams.
Diese drei Fehler tauchen oft in Prüfungen auf.
✗Ich erkläre es noch einmal, um du es besser verstehst.
✓Hier geht um ... zu nicht — die Subjekte sind verschieden.
um ... zu only works with the same subject. For two subjects you need "damit" — you learn that later in the course.
um ... zu geht nur bei gleichem Subjekt. Für zwei Subjekte brauchst du "damit" — das lernst du später im Kurs.
✗Sie ruft an, um zu fragen nach den Öffnungszeiten.
✓Sie ruft an, um nach den Öffnungszeiten zu fragen.
zu + infinitive go at the very end; the object (nach den Öffnungszeiten) comes before them.
zu + Infinitiv stehen ganz am Ende; das Objekt (nach den Öffnungszeiten) kommt davor.
✗Sie ging ohne sich zu verabschieden.
✓Sie ging, ohne sich zu verabschieden.
A comma comes before ohne ... zu when it introduces an extended infinitive clause.
Vor ohne ... zu (erweiterter Infinitivsatz) steht ein Komma.
um ... zu only works with the same subject. The object comes before zu + infinitive. A comma opens the extended clause.
Examples
Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu arbeiten.
I learn German in order to work in Germany.
um ... zu arbeitenum ... zu = purpose. Why learn German? To work in Germany.
Examine this sentence in Sentence X-Ray →| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ich lerne | I learn |
| Deutsch | German |
| um | in order |
| in Deutschland | in Germany |
| zu arbeiten | to work |
Er spart Geld, um ein Auto zu kaufen.
He saves money in order to buy a car.
um ... zu kaufenum ... zu = purpose. Why save? To buy a car.
Examine this sentence in Sentence X-Ray →| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Er spart | He saves |
| Geld | money |
| um | in order |
| ein Auto | a car |
| zu kaufen | to buy |
Sie ging, ohne sich zu verabschieden.
She left without saying goodbye.
ohne ... zu verabschiedenohne ... zu = without doing. sich verabschieden is reflexive.
Examine this sentence in Sentence X-Ray →| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sie ging | She left |
| ohne | without |
| sich | herself |
| zu verabschieden | to say goodbye |
Er arbeitet, ohne Pause zu machen.
He works without taking a break.
ohne ... zu machenohne ... zu = without doing something.
Examine this sentence in Sentence X-Ray →| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Er arbeitet | He works |
| ohne | without |
| Pause | break |
| zu machen | to take/make |
Anstatt zu lernen, spielt er Computerspiele.
Instead of studying, he plays computer games.
Anstatt zu lernenanstatt ... zu = instead of doing. What he does NOT do + what he DOES.
Examine this sentence in Sentence X-Ray →| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Anstatt | Instead of |
| zu lernen | studying |
| spielt er | he plays |
| Computerspiele | computer games |
Ich bin hier, um dir zu helfen.
I am here in order to help you.
um ... zu helfenum ... zu = purpose. Why am I here? To help you.
Examine this sentence in Sentence X-Ray →| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ich bin | I am |
| hier | here |
| um | in order |
| dir | you |
| zu helfen | to help |
Er hat geantwortet, ohne nachzudenken.
He answered without thinking.
ohne nachzudenkenohne ... zu with separable verb: nach-zu-denken.
Examine this sentence in Sentence X-Ray →| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Er hat geantwortet | He answered |
| ohne | without |
| nachzudenken | thinking |
Statt fernzusehen, lese ich ein Buch.
Instead of watching TV, I read a book.
Statt fernzusehenstatt ... zu with separable verb: fern-zu-sehen.
Examine this sentence in Sentence X-Ray →| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statt | Instead of |
| fernzusehen | watching TV |
| lese ich | I read |
| ein Buch | a book |
Wir packen die Koffer, um pünktlich am Flughafen zu sein.
We are packing the suitcases in order to be at the airport on time.
um ... zu seinum ... zu = purpose. Why pack? To be at the airport on time.
Examine this sentence in Sentence X-Ray →| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Wir packen | We are packing |
| die Koffer | the suitcases |
| um | in order |
| pünktlich | on time |
| am Flughafen | at the airport |
| zu sein | to be |
Anstatt zu Hause zu bleiben, gehen wir spazieren.
Instead of staying home, we go for a walk.
Anstatt ... zu bleibenanstatt ... zu = instead of doing. What we don't do + what we do instead.
Examine this sentence in Sentence X-Ray →| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Anstatt | Instead of |
| zu Hause | at home |
| zu bleiben | staying |
| gehen wir | we go |
| spazieren | for a walk |
Er verließ das Büro, ohne die Tür abzuschließen.
He left the office without locking the door.
ohne ... abzuschließenohne ... zu with a separable verb: ab-zu-schließen.
Examine this sentence in Sentence X-Ray →| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Er verließ | He left |
| das Büro | the office |
| ohne | without |
| die Tür | the door |
| abzuschließen | locking |
Ich schreibe eine Liste, um nichts zu vergessen.
I write a list in order to forget nothing.
um ... zu vergessenum ... zu = purpose. Why write a list? To forget nothing.
Examine this sentence in Sentence X-Ray →| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ich schreibe | I write |
| eine Liste | a list |
| um | in order |
| nichts | nothing |
| zu vergessen | to forget |
Practice Exercises
18 interactive exercises
The rules are free. The practice is part of B1.1.
A1.1 is free with no account. A free account adds 7 days of Pro — every level, every exercise — before you decide.
Grammar is just the beginning
Practice um...zu / ohne...zu in real conversations with your AI language partner.
Related Topics
Common questions about um zu and ohne zu
How do I say in order to in German?
Use um ... zu. The word um opens the clause, and zu plus the infinitive closes it: Er spart Geld, um ein Auto zu kaufen. It answers the question warum? or wozu? and always states a purpose. English often drops the in order and says just to, but German still needs the full um ... zu frame.
What is the difference between um zu and damit?
Both express purpose, but um ... zu requires the same subject in both halves: Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu arbeiten. When the subjects differ you must use damit with a full clause: Ich erkläre es langsam, damit du mich verstehst. If in doubt, damit always works; um ... zu only works with a shared subject.
How does ohne zu work in German?
Ohne ... zu describes an action that does not accompany the main one, and it matches the English without plus -ing: Er ging, ohne zu bezahlen (he left without paying). Objects sit between the two parts: Sie arbeitet, ohne Pause zu machen. With separable verbs the zu goes inside: ohne nachzudenken.
When do I use anstatt zu or statt zu?
Use them to name the action someone did not do, replaced by another: Anstatt zu arbeiten, spielt er (instead of working, he plays). Both spellings are correct and interchangeable. As with um and ohne, the clause needs the same subject as the main sentence, and separable verbs take zu inside: anstatt fernzusehen.
Does the verb go to the end with um zu?
Yes — the infinitive with zu always lands at the very end of its clause, and everything else comes before it: Sie geht früh ins Bett, um fit zu sein. If the um-clause starts the sentence, the main clause follows with its verb in second position after the comma. A comma before um is always required.