Infinitive of purpose (um ... zu)

Expressing Purpose with "um ... zu"

To say that you are doing something in order to achieve a goal, use um ... zu with an infinitive verb.

Separate the um ... zu clause from the main sentence with a comma. Start the clause with um, place any objects or details in the middle, and put zu right before the unconjugated infinitive verb at the very end.

I need this certificate in order to get a good job.
Ich brauche dieses Zertifikat, um eine gute Arbeit zu bekommen.
She studies every day in order to get a scholarship.
Sie lernt jeden Tag, um ein Stipendium zu bekommen.
We are doing an internship in order to gather more experience.
Wir machen ein Praktikum, um mehr Erfahrung zu sammeln.
I read many books in order to expand my knowledge.
Ich lese viele Bücher, um mein Wissen zu erweitern.

Negation

To express in order not to, place the negation word nicht right before zu.

The student got up early in order not to miss the lecture.
Der Student ist früh aufgestanden, um die Vorlesung nicht zu verpassen.

Career and Education

Talking about academic and career milestones is a great way to practice um ... zu.

I am bringing my CV along in order to find a job.
Ich bringe meinen Lebenslauf mit, um eine Arbeit zu finden.
He needs the report card to study at the university.
Er braucht das Zeugnis, um an der Universität zu studieren.

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