Infinitive constructions Um...zu... as the first idea

You can also begin the sentence with the um...zu… clause, rather than just use it in the middle to join two sentences.

If you do, the um...zu… clause becomes the first idea in the sentence.

The main verb must come immediately after this clause. This is the second idea. The subject comes next.

Example one

Ich bleibe fit. Ich treibe viel Sport. – I stay fit. I do a lot of sport.

Um fit zu bleiben, treibe ich viel Sport. – In order to stay fit, I do a lot of sport.

The process can be broken down as follows:

• um fit zu bleiben = first idea
• treibe = second idea
• the subject, ich, is moved to come after the verb - ich treibe > treibe ich
• the comma matters - it separates the two ideas

Example two

Sie hilft den Alten. Sie arbeitet im Altersheim. – She helps old people. She works in an old people's home.

Um den Alten zu helfen, arbeitet sie im Altersheim. – In order to help old people, she works in an old people's home.

The same process applies:

• um den Alten zu helfen = first idea
• arbeitet = second idea
• the subject, sie, is moved to come after the verb - sie arbeitet > arbeitet sie
• the comma matters - it separates the two ideas