Breakdown of Dieser Computer ist zu alt, um dafür geeignet zu sein.
sein
to be
alt
old
der Computer
the computer
dieser
this / that (fem.: diese, neut.: dieses)
zu
too (e.g., too big)
dafür
for it
um ... zu
in order to
geeignet
suitable
Questions & Answers about Dieser Computer ist zu alt, um dafür geeignet zu sein.
How does the zu [adjective] ... um ... zu pattern work in this sentence?
It translates perfectly to the English 'too [adjective] to [do something]'. Zu alt means 'too old', and the second half um ... zu sein means 'to be'. In German, the um introduces the clause, and the verb (sein) goes at the very end with zu right in front of it.
Why does the sentence use dafür instead of für es to say 'for it'?
In German, when a preposition like für refers to an inanimate object, an idea, or a situation (meaning 'it' or 'that'), you must combine da- with the preposition instead of using a pronoun like es. Therefore, 'for it' becomes dafür.
Does the word geeignet usually pair with the preposition für?
Why are dafür and geeignet sandwiched between um and zu sein?
An um ... zu clause pushes its verb to the very end of the phrase. The um acts as the opening bracket and zu sein (the infinitive verb) acts as the closing bracket. All the other details, like what it is suitable for (dafür geeignet), have to go in the middle.
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