Breakdown of Der Pionier hat die Absicht, alles ökologisch zu bauen.
haben
to have
bauen
to build
alles
everything
zu
to (infinitive marker)
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
die Absicht
the intention
der Pionier
the pioneer
ökologisch
ecological
Questions & Answers about Der Pionier hat die Absicht, alles ökologisch zu bauen.
Which modal verb is being replaced by die Absicht haben in this sentence?
It replaces the modal verb wollen (to want to). Using a noun phrase like die Absicht haben (to have the intention) is a formal, written-style alternative to simply saying Der Pionier will alles ökologisch bauen.
Is the comma before alles required here?
Yes. In German, when an extended infinitive clause with zu depends on a specific noun in the main clause (in this case, die Absicht), you must use a comma to separate the two clauses.
Could I use the separable verb vorhaben instead to express the same thing?
Absolutely. Vorhaben means to plan or intend, and is slightly more conversational than the formal die Absicht haben. You would structure it exactly the same way: Der Pionier hat vor, alles ökologisch zu bauen.
Why does alles come before ökologisch in the infinitive clause?
Even in an infinitive clause, standard German word order applies. Alles is the accusative direct object, and objects typically precede adverbs of manner like ökologisch (ecologically). The verb phrase zu bauen is pushed to the very end of the clause as always.
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