Breakdown of Nachhaltige Energie hilft, Kosten zu senken.
helfen
to help
die Energie
the energy
die Kosten
the cost
senken
to reduce
Questions & Answers about Nachhaltige Energie hilft, Kosten zu senken.
Why is there no article before Nachhaltige Energie?
In German, when you speak about something in a general or abstract sense (like sustainable energy in general), you often omit the article. Here it’s a generic statement: “Sustainable energy helps reduce costs.” So you don’t need die before Nachhaltige Energie.
What is the adjective ending on Nachhaltige, and why is it -e?
Energie is a feminine noun (die Energie). In the nominative singular, a preceding adjective without an article takes the -e ending for feminine nouns. That’s why it’s Nachhaltige Energie (and not Nachhaltiger Energie).
Why is there a comma before Kosten?
German sets off extended infinitive clauses with a comma. Here, Kosten zu senken is an infinitive clause introduced by zu and has its own object (Kosten), so you write helfen, Kosten zu senken with a comma before the infinitive group.
Why is there a zu before senken?