Breakdown of Ist dieser Bewerber zu alt, um die Arbeit zu bekommen?
sein
to be
alt
old
die Arbeit
the work
dieser
this / that (fem.: diese, neut.: dieses)
Questions & Answers about Ist dieser Bewerber zu alt, um die Arbeit zu bekommen?
How does the zu ... um ... zu structure work in this sentence?
It is the German equivalent of saying "too [adjective] to [do something]". In the main clause, you have zu alt (too old). The second part, um die Arbeit zu bekommen, explains what he is too old for. The word um introduces the infinitive clause, and zu goes right before the infinitive verb at the end.
Where does the verb go in the um ... zu clause?
In an um ... zu clause, the infinitive verb (bekommen) is always pushed to the very end of the sentence, immediately preceded by zu. Any other information, like the direct object (die Arbeit), is sandwiched between um and zu.
Why is there a comma before um?
In German grammar, infinitive clauses that start with um, ohne, or anstatt must always be separated from the main clause by a comma. Here, it creates a clear boundary between the main question (Ist dieser Bewerber zu alt) and the action he might be too old for (um die Arbeit zu bekommen).
I often confuse bekommen with "to become". Why is bekommen used here?