Infinitive phrases with "zu"

Infinitive phrases with zu

Many German expressions require an infinitive phrase with zu to complete them. The zu + infinitive construction appears at the end of its phrase, rather than at the beginning.

Wir versuchen, das Auto zu reparieren.
Es gelingt uns aber nicht, das zu tun.

We are trying to repair the car.
But we are not successful in doing so.

Frequently, the infinitive phrase is introduced with um (in order to).

Musiker müssen viel üben, um perfekt zu spielen.

Musicians have to practice a lot, in order to play perfectly.