Breakdown of Trotz der Kosten haben wir die Absicht, nur nachhaltige Energiequellen zu benutzen.
haben
to have
wir
we
nur
only
zu
to (infinitive marker)
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
nachhaltig
sustainable
trotz
despite
die Absicht
the intention
benutzen
to use
die Kosten
the costs
die Energiequelle
the energy source
Questions & Answers about Trotz der Kosten haben wir die Absicht, nur nachhaltige Energiequellen zu benutzen.
How does die Absicht haben act as an alternative to a modal verb in this sentence?
die Absicht haben is a formal, noun-based way to express the meaning of the modal verb wollen (to want). Instead of saying wir wollen benutzen (we want to use), this structure uses the noun Absicht followed by a comma and a zu-infinitive clause (zu benutzen).
Why is the verb haben placed before the subject wir?
German sentences require the conjugated verb to be in the second position. The entire prepositional phrase Trotz der Kosten occupies the first position, so the verb haben must immediately follow it, pushing the subject wir to the third position.
Why is it der Kosten after the word Trotz?
The preposition trotz (despite) requires the genitive case. Since Kosten (costs) is a plural noun, its genitive plural definite article is der.
Why does the adjective nachhaltige end in -e here?
It describes the plural noun Energiequellen in the accusative case. Because there is no article before it (like die or keine), it takes the strong adjective ending for the plural accusative, which is -e.
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