Who performs the infinitive action?
For a straightforward purpose adjunct, use the same-agent pattern: Ich schreibe mit, um nichts zu vergessen. If you write so that another person understands, use an explicit subject: Ich schreibe deutlich, damit du alles verstehst. General statements can have a general performer: Es ist wichtig, Pausen zu machen. Check the intended person before choosing an infinitive instead of a finite clause.
Purpose, absence and replacement
Ich öffne das Fenster, um frische Luft hereinzulassen names an intention; it does not prove the intention succeeds. Sie ging, ohne die Tür zu schließen says that closing did not accompany the departure. Do not add another nicht to express that ordinary absence; it could change the logic.
Er ruft an, statt eine Nachricht zu schreiben presents calling as the alternative to writing. Anstatt is an equivalent longer form here. If a different performer must be named, use a finite construction such as ohne dass or statt dass. A finite damit clause is especially useful for a purpose with its own subject.
Check the construction in context
Choose your answer before opening the explanation. Check the whole phrase as well as the form.
4. You speak slowly so that another learner understands. Use damit.
Ich spreche langsam, damit du mich verstehst. The second performer is explicitly du; a simple same-agent purpose infinitive would not express that relation.
5. Express leaving without saying goodbye: Sie geht, …
Sie geht, ohne sich zu verabschieden. Ohne already expresses absence; no extra nicht is needed.
Start with the topic overview
German infinitive clauses: bare forms, zu and performers · Find another grammar topic
Questions about this topic
Do I add nicht after ohne to express ordinary absence?
No. Ohne already expresses that the accompanying action does not happen. An additional negative can change the logic and should not be added mechanically.
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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