Breakdown of Die Wohnung ist zu laut, um dort gut zu arbeiten.
sein
to be
dort
there
arbeiten
to work
laut
loud
Questions & Answers about Die Wohnung ist zu laut, um dort gut zu arbeiten.
Are the two instances of zu the same word?
No. The first zu in zu laut is an adverb meaning too (excessive). The second zu in um … zu arbeiten is the infinitive marker (like English to in to work). They look the same but serve different functions.
What does the pattern zu [adjective], um … zu … mean here?
It means too [adjective] to [do something]. So the structure conveys an excessive degree that prevents the action in the infinitive clause. It’s not expressing purpose (even though um … zu often does); here it expresses impossibility due to excess.
Why is there a comma before um?
German requires a comma before an infinitive clause introduced by um, ohne, or statt. The um … zu clause is a separate clause, so the comma is mandatory.
Where should I place adverbs like gut in an um–zu clause?
Place them before the infinitive: gut zu arbeiten is natural. zu arbeiten gut is unidiomatic. Be careful: zu gut arbeiten would mean “to work too well,” which changes the meaning.
Why is dort used, and how is it different from ?