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Breakdown of Ich versuche, Konflikte zu vermeiden, besonders im Alltag.
in
in
dem
the; (masculine or neuter, dative)
ich
I
besonders
especially
versuchen
to try
der Konflikt
the conflict
vermeiden
to avoid
der Alltag
the everyday life
Questions & Answers about Ich versuche, Konflikte zu vermeiden, besonders im Alltag.
Why is there a comma after versuche? Is it required?
The comma sets off an infinitive group (Konflikte zu vermeiden). In modern German, this comma is optional unless:
- the group is introduced by um, ohne, statt/anstatt, außer; or
- it’s announced by a pro-form like es, darauf, daran, etc.; or
- it depends on a noun.
Here, none of those apply, so both are correct:
- Ich versuche, Konflikte zu vermeiden …
- Ich versuche Konflikte zu vermeiden …
Writers often include the comma for clarity.
Why is there another comma before besonders im Alltag? Can I move that phrase?
Here, besonders im Alltag is an afterthought (a “Nachtrag”), so it’s separated by a comma:
Ich versuche, Konflikte zu vermeiden, besonders im Alltag.
If you integrate it into the sentence, don’t use a comma:
- Ich versuche, besonders im Alltag Konflikte zu vermeiden.
- Besonders im Alltag versuche ich, Konflikte zu vermeiden.
Why is it Konflikte zu vermeiden and not zu vermeiden Konflikte?
In a zu-infinitive group, the verb goes to the end and its complements typically precede it. So the object Konflikte comes before zu vermeiden:
- Correct: Konflikte zu vermeiden
- Incorrect: zu vermeiden Konflikte
Where does zu go with separable and inseparable verbs?
- Inseparable prefixes (e.g., ver- in vermeiden): zu vermeiden (zu before the verb).
- Separable prefixes (e.g., aufstehen): aufzustehen (zu between prefix and stem).
Examples: anzufangen, aufzuräumen, zu verstehen.
What case is Konflikte, and why is there no article?
It’s accusative plural as the direct object of vermeiden. German has no indefinite article in the plural, so Konflikte stands alone (think “avoid conflicts”/“avoid any conflicts”). If you said die Konflikte, you’d be referring to specific conflicts.
What exactly is im Alltag? Why dative?
im = in dem (contraction). Alltag is masculine (der Alltag). In takes dative for location/time (no movement), so in dem Alltag → im Alltag.
Where can I place besonders?
Common, natural options:
- Ich versuche, besonders im Alltag Konflikte zu vermeiden.
- Besonders im Alltag versuche ich, Konflikte zu vermeiden.
- End-position afterthought (with comma): … zu vermeiden, besonders im Alltag.
Avoid splitting it awkwardly from what it modifies.
Can I use probieren instead of versuchen?
Generally no in standard German with a zu-infinitive. Use versuchen, … zu ….
- Ich versuche, Konflikte zu vermeiden.
Probieren is for trying out/tasting or taking a stab at something tangible: Probier den Kuchen! Colloquially/regionally (esp. southern), you may hear probieren, … zu …, but it’s not standard.
Difference between vermeiden, verhindern, and meiden?
- vermeiden: avoid something from arising/occurring (proactively steer clear of situations).
- verhindern: prevent something that would otherwise happen (actively stop it).
- meiden: shun/avoid a person, place, or thing by staying away.
Here, Konflikte vermeiden is the idiomatic choice. You could also say Konflikte verhindern, but that’s more about stopping conflicts that are about to happen.
Can I use a dass-clause with versuchen?
No. Versuchen normally takes a zu-infinitive, not a dass-clause.
- Correct: Ich versuche, Konflikte zu vermeiden.
- Incorrect: Ich versuche, dass ich Konflikte vermeide.
What about adding es: Ich versuche es, Konflikte zu vermeiden?
It’s grammatical but stylistically uncommon here. If you use a placeholder es for the infinitive group, you must set a comma: Ich versuche es, Konflikte zu vermeiden. Most speakers simply say: Ich versuche, Konflikte zu vermeiden. With verbs like lieben/hassen, the es version is more common (e.g., Ich hasse es, früh aufzustehen.).
Are there good idiomatic alternatives?
Yes:
- Ich versuche, Streit zu vermeiden. (more colloquial/specific: “arguments”)
- Ich versuche, Auseinandersetzungen zu vermeiden.
- Ich versuche, Konflikten aus dem Weg zu gehen. (idiom; note the dative plural Konflikten with aus dem Weg gehen)
Does the German present here mean “I try” or “I’m trying”?
Both. German has no separate progressive tense. Ich versuche, … can mean a general habit or something ongoing right now. For “right now,” you can add gerade: Ich versuche gerade, Konflikte zu vermeiden.
How does negation scope work here?
- Ich versuche nicht, Konflikte zu vermeiden. = I don’t make the attempt.
- Ich versuche, Konflikte nicht zu vermeiden. = I try not to avoid conflicts (the opposite meaning).
Position of nicht changes what is negated.
Why are Konflikte and Alltag capitalized?
All German nouns are capitalized. Konflikte and Alltag are nouns; besonders is an adverb, so it’s lowercase.
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