Breakdown of Aufgrund der Dürre haben sie die Absicht, Wasser zu sparen.
das Wasser
the water
haben
to have
sie
they
sparen
to save
zu
to (infinitive marker)
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
die Absicht
the intention
aufgrund
due to
die Dürre
the drought (severe)
Questions & Answers about Aufgrund der Dürre haben sie die Absicht, Wasser zu sparen.
How is die Absicht haben different from just using the modal verb wollen?
die Absicht haben (to have the intention) is a formal, nominal (noun-based) alternative to the modal verb wollen (to want). It elevates the tone of the sentence, making it sound more official or planned, which fits perfectly with the serious context of a drought.
Why do we need a comma before Wasser zu sparen?
The phrase Wasser zu sparen is an extended infinitive clause (an infinitive with zu plus objects or modifiers). In German, you must use a comma to separate an infinitive clause when it depends directly on a noun in the main clause. Here, the clause tells us exactly what die Absicht (the intention) is.
Why does the verb haben come before the subject sie?
The sentence starts with the prepositional phrase Aufgrund der Dürre, which takes up the entire first position. To satisfy German's strict verb-second rule in main clauses, the conjugated verb haben must immediately follow in position two, pushing the subject sie into position three.
Why does the sentence use der Dürre if the noun is feminine (die Dürre)?
The preposition aufgrund (because of / due to) is a formal word that requires the genitive case. For feminine nouns, the definite article changes from die to der in the genitive.
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