Breakdown of Wer hat die zu korrigierende Klausur?
haben
to have
wer
who
zu
to (infinitive marker)
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
die Klausur
the exam (written)
korrigieren
to correct
Questions & Answers about Wer hat die zu korrigierende Klausur?
How does zu korrigierende translate to 'that is to be corrected'?
This is the Gerundivum. It is formed by combining zu with the present participle of a verb (korrigierend), plus an adjective ending (-e). It acts as an adjective and expresses a passive obligation ('must be done') or possibility ('can be done'). Therefore, die zu korrigierende Klausur means 'the exam that must be corrected'.
Wait, doesn't the present participle usually have an active meaning?
Yes! A normal present participle like die korrigierende Lehrerin means 'the correcting teacher' (active). However, adding zu in front of it flips the meaning to passive and adds the idea of necessity. The exam isn't correcting anything; it needs to be corrected.
Why does korrigierende end in just -e?
Because the Gerundivum acts exactly like a normal adjective, it takes standard adjective declensions. Klausur is a feminine noun in the accusative case here, as the direct object of hat. After the definite article die, the weak adjective ending for feminine accusative is -e.
What is the difference between a Klausur and a Prüfung?
Klausur specifically refers to a supervised written exam, usually at a university or upper high school level. Prüfung is a broader term for any kind of exam, which could be written, oral, or practical.
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