Es ist riskant, ohne Helm zu fahren.

to be

Breakdown of Es ist riskant, ohne Helm zu fahren.

• zu: to
• es: it
• fahren: to ride

Questions & Answers about Es ist riskant, ohne Helm zu fahren.

What does the Es do here? Is it necessary?

Es is a dummy (anticipatory) subject. The real content subject is the infinitive clause ohne Helm zu fahren, which is “extraposed” to the end. German often uses this pattern:

• Es ist [adjective], … zu [verb]. You can also front the infinitive clause and drop es:
• Ohne Helm zu fahren ist riskant.

Why is there a comma before ohne?

Because the infinitive group is introduced by ohne. In German, infinitive clauses must be set off by a comma if they’re introduced by words like um, ohne, (an)statt, außer, als. So the comma in Es ist riskant, ohne Helm zu fahren. is mandatory.

Why is it ohne Helm? Which case is that, and why is there no article?

• ohne always takes the accusative.
• Helm is masculine; accusative singular is the same as nominative when there’s no article.
• No article is used because this is a general/generic statement (“without a helmet” in general). You could also say:
• definite: ohne den Helm
• indefinite: ohne einen Helm But ohne Helm is the most idiomatic in general statements.

Could I say ohne einen Helm instead of ohne Helm?

Yes: Es ist riskant, ohne einen Helm zu fahren. It’s correct but heavier. The bare form ohne Helm is more natural for generic “without a helmet” statements. Using an article can add slight emphasis (“without a helmet (at all)”).