Pointing to a "zu"-infinitive clause
Just as da- compounds can point forward to a dass-clause, they can also point to an infinitive clause (an action ending with zu + infinitive).
If a verb takes a specific preposition, like sich freuen auf (to look forward to), place the anticipatory adverb darauf in the main clause. The action itself follows in the infinitive clause.
| I look forward to harvesting the fresh vegetables from the garden bed. | Ich freue mich darauf, das frische Gemüse aus dem Beet zu ernten. |
This pattern works for any verb with a prepositional object, such as sich konzentrieren auf (to focus on) and warten auf (to wait for).
| While he takes care of the garden, he focuses on pulling the weeds. | Während er den Garten pflegt, konzentriert er sich darauf, das Unkraut zu ziehen. |
| We are waiting to sow the new seeds in the garden. | Wir warten darauf, die neuen Samen im Garten zu säen. |
Other prepositions
The da- compound changes depending on the preposition the verb requires. For example, denken an (to think about) uses the compound daran.
| Before the flowers bloom, we think of pulling the weeds. | Bevor die Blumen blühen, denken wir daran, das Unkraut zu ziehen. |
When all the hard work is done, we can finally look forward to the harvest.
| We look forward to celebrating the harvest. | Wir freuen uns darauf, die Ernte zu feiern. |
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