Breakdown of Vergisst du oft, Wasser zu trinken?
du
you (informal singular)
oft
often
trinken
to drink
das Wasser
the water
vergessen
to forget
zu
to (infinitive marker)
Questions & Answers about Vergisst du oft, Wasser zu trinken?
Why is there a comma before Wasser?
In German, we use a comma to separate the main clause (Vergisst du oft) from an infinitive clause (Wasser zu trinken). An infinitive clause is a phrase built around a basic, unconjugated verb and the word zu (to).
How do I know where to put zu in the sentence?
In an infinitive clause, the word zu always goes right before the infinitive verb. Because German likes to put unconjugated verbs at the very end of the phrase, zu trinken goes at the end, after Wasser.
Why is the verb vergisst spelled with an 'i' instead of an 'e'?
The verb vergessen (to forget) is irregular. When you use it with du (you) or er/sie/es (he/she/it), the 'e' in the stem changes to an 'i'. So it becomes du vergisst instead of "du vergesst".
Why is there no article before Wasser, like das Wasser?
Just like in English, we are talking about water in general here, which is an uncountable noun. If you said das Wasser zu trinken, it would mean you are forgetting to drink a specific glass or bottle of water.
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