Learn Hardcore German: Der Inhalt des Katalogs hilft den Besuchern, jedes Bild schnell zu finden. - The content of the catalogue helps visitors find each picture quickly.

We use the genitive to express “of the catalog.” Katalog is masculine (der Katalog), and its genitive singular adds –s, so we get des Katalogs (“of the catalog”).

Why does helfen take den Besuchern in the dative?

The verb helfen always requires a dative object. “The visitors” here become den Besuchern (dative plural), because you always helfen jemandem.

Why is there a comma before jedes Bild schnell zu finden?

German mandates a comma before an infinitive clause introduced by zu. This clause explains what the content helps to do, so it’s set off by a comma.

Why does the infinitive phrase jedes Bild schnell zu finden come at the end?

In German, dependent clauses and infinitive clauses with zu are pushed to the end of the sentence. The verb (here zu finden) also goes to the very end, with the adverb (schnell) directly before it.

Why is jedes Bild singular instead of alle Bilder?

jedes means “each” or “every,” so it naturally takes a singular noun (Bild) to stress that visitors can find each individual picture quickly, rather than locating all pictures as a group.

Could we use unterstützen instead of helfen, and what’s the difference?

Yes, you could say Der Inhalt des Katalogs unterstützt die Besucher, jedes Bild schnell zu finden. However, unterstützen takes an accusative object (die Besucher) and often implies more formal or ongoing support, whereas helfen (with dative) suggests direct or immediate assistance.

Why not say der Kataloginhalt instead of der Inhalt des Katalogs?

Both are correct. Kataloginhalt is a compound noun (“catalog content”), but using the genitive phrase Inhalt des Katalogs is stylistically common and highlights the “of the catalog” relationship more explicitly.