Breakdown of Ich versuche, Konflikte zu vermeiden, besonders im Alltag.
in
in
dem
the; (masculine or neuter, dative)
ich
I
besonders
especially
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?