Breakdown of Der Tierarzt hat die Symptome zu dokumentieren.
haben
to have
der Tierarzt
the veterinarian
das Symptom
the symptom
dokumentieren
to document
Questions & Answers about Der Tierarzt hat die Symptome zu dokumentieren.
Why does this sentence use hat ... zu dokumentieren instead of just saying muss ... dokumentieren?
This is the haben + zu + infinitive structure, which expresses an active obligation. It means the exact same thing as using the modal verb müssen (must / to have to). The difference is in the tone: hat ... zu dokumentieren sounds much more formal, official, or authoritative, making it common in written rules, contracts, and guidelines.
Could I use the English word order and say Der Tierarzt hat zu dokumentieren die Symptome?
No. The word order for this structure works exactly like sentences with modal verbs. The conjugated verb (hat) sits in the second position of the sentence, and the zu + infinitive (zu dokumentieren) gets pushed to the very end. The direct object (die Symptome) must come before it.
If the verb were separable, like aufschreiben (to write down), how would the zu part change?
If you used a separable verb, the zu would be squeezed between the prefix and the main verb, forming one single word at the end of the sentence: Der Tierarzt hat die Symptome aufzuschreiben. Because dokumentieren is a regular (non-separable) verb, it stays as two separate words: zu dokumentieren.
I see die Symptome is plural. What is the singular form?
The singular form is das Symptom (neuter). In this sentence, it is plural and acts as the direct object (accusative case), so it uses the plural article die.
Learn Der Tierarzt hat die Symptome zu dokumentieren and more in German
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free