Use the current punctuation distinction
An expanded sentential zu-infinitive group is separated by a comma under official § 73: Ich versuche, morgen früher anzukommen. Groups with um, ohne or statt are also separated; an inserted group needs a closing comma. Do not rely on older advice that every ordinary verb-dependent group is optional.
An unexpanded infinitive can sometimes be read as a word group or a clause: Sie versucht(,) abzunehmen. An integrated multipart predicate takes no comma: Er scheint müde zu sein; Du brauchst nicht zu warten. The distinction is structural, not a rule to place a comma before every printed zu.
Check the construction in context
Choose your answer before opening the explanation. Check the whole phrase as well as the form.
8. Choose the comma pattern: Er scheint(,) müde zu sein.
Er scheint müde zu sein. In this integrated multipart predicate, no separating comma is used. The printed word zu alone does not require one.
Start with the topic overview
German infinitive clauses: bare forms, zu and performers · Find another grammar topic
Questions about this topic
Does every printed zu require a comma?
No. An integrated multipart predicate such as scheint müde zu sein is not separated that way. Determine the structure rather than placing a comma before every zu.
Sources and further learning
- Rat für deutsche Rechtschreibung via IDS: §73 Komma bei Nebensätzen
- IDS: Infinitiv mit oder ohne zu
- IDS: Verben mit Infinitiv ohne zu
- IDS: Satzklammer und Stellungsfelder
- IDS: Die Folgen von etwas ausdrücken
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