1.What this page explains
Infinitive clauses are one of the central information-condensing mechanisms in written German at C1. The system becomes especially demanding when the passive infinitive is added to the active:
active: die Daten zu prüfen
passive: geprüft zu werden
The key question is not only how the form is built. You also need to ask:
Who is the implicit subject?
Who acts?
Who is affected?
Which matrix element controls the infinitive group?
Where is the focus?
Is the dense form still unambiguous and readable?
This page covers the simple active and passive infinitive. The perfect passive infinitive such as informiert worden zu sein belongs to the next separate C1 structure.
C1 goal: understand infinitive groups as a system of form, control, perspective, and information density, and choose consciously between active, passive, and a finite subordinate clause.
2.1. Core model
An infinitive clause condenses information because it has no independent finite verb. The active typically uses zu + infinitive; the process passive uses past participle + zu werden.
Core pattern
die Daten zu prüfen
geprüft zu werden
C1 interpretation
The basic decision concerns perspective and information structure, not morphology alone.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
3.2. Active and passive as a choice of perspective
Active and passive differ not only in form but in information perspective. The active keeps the actor closer to the centre; the passive foregrounds the affected participant or the event.
Core pattern
Ich hoffe, den Bericht bald zu prüfen.
Ich hoffe, bald informiert zu werden.
C1 interpretation
The basic decision concerns perspective and information structure, not morphology alone.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
4.3. Building the active infinitive
With simple verbs, zu stands directly before the infinitive. The infinitive group can contain its own objects, adverbials, and negation.
Core pattern
den Bericht sorgfältig zu prüfen
nicht sofort zu reagieren
C1 interpretation
Form-building is only the first layer; at C1, form must be connected with meaning and context.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
5.4. Building the passive infinitive
The simple process-passive infinitive consists of past participle + zu werden. Here werden has no independent finite tense.
Core pattern
informiert zu werden
berücksichtigt zu werden
eingeladen zu werden
C1 interpretation
Form-building is only the first layer; at C1, form must be connected with meaning and context.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
6.5. No independent tense
The simple infinitive does not mark an independent tense. Temporal interpretation comes from the matrix clause, context, and time expressions.
Core pattern
Sie hofft, morgen eingeladen zu werden.
Sie hoffte, am nächsten Tag eingeladen zu werden.
C1 interpretation
Form-building is only the first layer; at C1, form must be connected with meaning and context.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
7.6. Boundary with the perfect passive infinitive
Anterior meaning is not expressed by the simple passive infinitive. Forms such as informiert worden zu sein belong to the perfect passive infinitive and form a separate C1 system.
Core pattern
informiert zu werden
informiert worden zu sein
C1 interpretation
This distinction prevents simple/passive meaning from being confused with anteriority.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
8.7. Implicit subject
Infinitive groups normally have no overt subject. It must nevertheless be possible to reconstruct who acts or who is affected by the event.
Core pattern
Paul versucht, den Fehler zu erklären.
Paul hofft, ernst genommen zu werden.
C1 interpretation
Control is the key to interpreting every infinitive group.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
9.8. Subject control
With many matrix verbs, the subject of the main clause controls the implicit subject of the infinitive group.
Core pattern
Mara versucht, den Text zu kürzen.
Mara hofft, berücksichtigt zu werden.
C1 interpretation
Control is the key to interpreting every infinitive group.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
10.9. Object control
With verbs such as bitten, auffordern, or zwingen, an object in the matrix clause can determine the actor of the infinitive.
Core pattern
Ich bitte ihn, den Bericht zu prüfen.
Wir fordern sie auf, Stellung zu nehmen.
C1 interpretation
Control is the key to interpreting every infinitive group.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
11.10. Control shift in the passive
When changing to the passive, the semantic role of the controlled referent often changes. The same person may be the actor in the active but the affected participant in the passive.
Core pattern
Sie hofft, die Kommission zu überzeugen.
Sie hofft, von der Kommission akzeptiert zu werden.
C1 interpretation
Control is the key to interpreting every infinitive group.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
12.11. Ambiguous control
If several potential controllers are present, the infinitive group can become ambiguous. A finite subordinate clause is then often clearer.
Core pattern
Der Leiter versprach dem Team, den Bericht zu prüfen.
C1 interpretation
Control is the key to interpreting every infinitive group.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
13.12. Subject change and the dass-clause
A simple infinitive clause cannot freely introduce a new nominative subject. If a different explicit subject is needed, a dass-clause is often necessary.
Core pattern
Ich hoffe, dass die Kommission zustimmt.
*Ich hoffe, die Kommission zuzustimmen.
C1 interpretation
Control is the key to interpreting every infinitive group.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
14.13. hoffen + zu
hoffen often combines with an infinitive when the matrix subject is also the central referent of the infinitive.
Core pattern
Ich hoffe, die Frist einzuhalten.
Ich hoffe, rechtzeitig informiert zu werden.
C1 interpretation
The matrix expression determines which infinitive structure is semantically and syntactically plausible.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
15.14. versuchen + zu
versuchen typically describes a controlled action. A passive infinitive is therefore natural only when the subject genuinely seeks or can influence the passive event.
Core pattern
Er versucht, den Antrag einzureichen.
Er versucht, in die Arbeitsgruppe aufgenommen zu werden.
C1 interpretation
The matrix expression determines which infinitive structure is semantically and syntactically plausible.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
16.15. erwarten and befürchten
These matrix verbs can express expectations about an active or passive event. The passive infinitive is especially common when the matrix subject is conceptualised as affected.
Core pattern
Sie erwartet, eingeladen zu werden.
Er befürchtet, ausgeschlossen zu werden.
C1 interpretation
The matrix expression determines which infinitive structure is semantically and syntactically plausible.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
17.16. Adjective + infinitive
Imersonal evaluations with adjectives are a productive context for both active and passive infinitives.
Core pattern
Es ist wichtig, die Daten zu prüfen.
Es ist wichtig, frühzeitig informiert zu werden.
C1 interpretation
The matrix expression determines which infinitive structure is semantically and syntactically plausible.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
18.17. Noun + infinitive
Nouns such as Möglichkeit, Absicht, Pflicht, Hoffnung, or Wunsch can license an infinitive group.
Core pattern
die Möglichkeit, den Termin zu verschieben
die Hoffnung, berücksichtigt zu werden.
C1 interpretation
The matrix expression determines which infinitive structure is semantically and syntactically plausible.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
19.18. Pronominal adverbs as correlates
darauf, dazu, daran, and similar forms can anticipate the infinitive group and make its syntactic function more explicit.
Core pattern
Sie besteht darauf, informiert zu werden.
Wir achten darauf, die Daten zu anonymisieren.
C1 interpretation
The matrix expression determines which infinitive structure is semantically and syntactically plausible.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
20.19. Separable verbs in the active
With separable verbs, zu stands between the prefix and the verb stem.
Core pattern
einzubeziehen
vorzustellen
aufzunehmen
C1 interpretation
With dense verb complexes, analysis from right to left is often useful.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
21.20. Separable verbs in the passive
In the passive, the correct past participle is formed first; zu werden then follows.
Core pattern
einbezogen zu werden
vorgestellt zu werden
aufgenommen zu werden
C1 interpretation
With dense verb complexes, analysis from right to left is often useful.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
22.21. Inseparable verbs
With inseparable verbs, active zu precedes the infinitive; in the passive, the past participle precedes zu werden.
Core pattern
zu berücksichtigen
berücksichtigt zu werden
zu überprüfen
überprüft zu werden
C1 interpretation
With dense verb complexes, analysis from right to left is often useful.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
23.22. Verbs ending in -ieren
Verbs ending in -ieren form the past participle without ge-, and this remains visible in the passive infinitive.
Core pattern
zu informieren → informiert zu werden
zu analysieren → analysiert zu werden
C1 interpretation
With dense verb complexes, analysis from right to left is often useful.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
24.23. Verb complexes with a modal verb
An infinitive can contain additional modality, such as prüfen zu müssen or verschieben zu können. Passive plus modality quickly creates heavy verb chains.
Core pattern
den Antrag prüfen zu müssen
die Unterlagen geprüft werden zu müssen
C1 interpretation
With dense verb complexes, analysis from right to left is often useful.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
25.24. Reducing complex verb chains
A grammatically possible chain is not automatically stylistically good. At C1, a finite subordinate clause can be the better and more precise choice.
Core pattern
die Daten geprüft werden zu müssen
dass die Daten geprüft werden müssen
C1 interpretation
With dense verb complexes, analysis from right to left is often useful.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
26.25. Negation in the active infinitive
nicht stands before the constituent in its scope. With clause negation it often precedes the infinitival verb complex.
Core pattern
den Termin nicht zu verschieben
nicht sofort zu reagieren
C1 interpretation
The position of nicht must be interpreted together with its scope.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
27.26. Negation in the passive infinitive
In the passive too, it must be clear whether the whole event or only one constituent is negated.
Core pattern
nicht berücksichtigt zu werden
nicht von der Entscheidung ausgeschlossen zu werden
C1 interpretation
The position of nicht must be interpreted together with its scope.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
28.27. Agent with von
If the actor remains relevant, it can often be added in the passive with von + dative.
Core pattern
von der Leitung informiert zu werden
von Fachleuten beraten zu werden
C1 interpretation
Passive changes roles and focus, while lexical valency remains decisive.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
29.28. durch as means or cause
durch + accusative often denotes means, cause, or mediating agency and is not simply interchangeable with von.
Core pattern
durch ein automatisches System informiert zu werden
durch neue Regeln eingeschränkt zu werden
C1 interpretation
Passive changes roles and focus, while lexical valency remains decisive.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
30.29. Accusative object and passive reference
In the active-passive alternation, the accusative object typically becomes the central referent of the passive.
Core pattern
Die Leitung informiert die Bewerber. → Die Bewerber werden informiert.
C1 interpretation
Passive changes roles and focus, while lexical valency remains decisive.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
31.30. Dative remains dative
A dative object does not become the subject in the regular process passive. This valency remains in the passive infinitive.
Core pattern
jemandem helfen → jemandem geholfen werden
Sie hofft, geholfen zu werden.
C1 interpretation
Passive changes roles and focus, while lexical valency remains decisive.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
32.31. Impersonal passive
Intransitive verbs can also form an impersonal passive where semantics and usage allow it.
Core pattern
geholfen zu werden
über das Problem gesprochen zu werden
C1 interpretation
Passive changes roles and focus, while lexical valency remains decisive.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
33.32. um ... zu in the active
um ... zu marks purpose. Its implicit subject is normally identical with the matrix subject.
Core pattern
Sie ruft an, um den Termin zu bestätigen.
C1 interpretation
Purpose and accompanying relations work only when subject reference is controllable.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
34.33. um ... zu in the passive
A passive infinitive is possible when the matrix subject is interpreted as the participant affected by the intended event.
Core pattern
Sie bewirbt sich früh, um berücksichtigt zu werden.
Er meldet sich an, um rechtzeitig informiert zu werden.
C1 interpretation
Purpose and accompanying relations work only when subject reference is controllable.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
35.34. ohne ... zu
ohne ... zu denotes a non-realised accompanying action or a missing accompanying circumstance.
Core pattern
Er ging, ohne sich zu verabschieden.
Sie wurde umgesetzt, ohne vorher informiert zu werden.
C1 interpretation
Purpose and accompanying relations work only when subject reference is controllable.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
36.35. (an)statt ... zu
(an)statt ... zu marks an alternative not chosen. Here too, subject reference must remain controllable.
Core pattern
Anstatt nachzufragen, schwieg er.
Anstatt informiert zu werden, erhielt sie nur eine automatische Nachricht.
C1 interpretation
Purpose and accompanying relations work only when subject reference is controllable.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
37.36. Commas with infinitive groups
Infinitive groups with um, ohne, (an)statt, außer, or als are set off by commas. Correlates and anticipatory nouns also regularly trigger a comma.
Core pattern
Er ging, ohne sich zu verabschieden.
Sie hat den Wunsch, informiert zu werden.
C1 interpretation
Punctuation is part of syntactic transparency.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
38.37. Comma as a readability signal
With long groups, a comma can make the syntactic boundary visible and prevent misinterpretation.
Core pattern
Sie versprach, den Bericht bald zu schicken.
C1 interpretation
Punctuation is part of syntactic transparency.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
39.38. Infinitive group in first position
A fronted infinitive group readily becomes the topic of the sentence and creates a more formal rhythm.
Core pattern
Die Daten vollständig zu prüfen, ist zeitaufwendig.
Frühzeitig informiert zu werden, war für alle wichtig.
C1 interpretation
Sentence position affects processing and informational weight.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
40.39. Infinitive group in the postfield
Longer infinitive groups often occur in the postfield so that the matrix clause closes early and is easier to process.
Core pattern
Es ist wichtig, alle Beteiligten frühzeitig über die Folgen zu informieren.
C1 interpretation
Sentence position affects processing and informational weight.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
41.40. Avoid overloading the middle field
A heavy infinitive group in the middle field can unnecessarily lengthen the sentence bracket. Extraposition often improves readability.
Core pattern
Wir haben beschlossen, den Bericht vollständig neu zu strukturieren.
C1 interpretation
Sentence position affects processing and informational weight.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
42.41. Infinitive instead of a dass-clause
An infinitive can condense a dass-clause when subject reference, temporal relation, and modality are sufficiently recoverable.
Core pattern
Ich hoffe, dass ich teilnehmen kann. → Ich hoffe, teilnehmen zu können.
C1 interpretation
The variants often differ more than a purely formal conversion suggests.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
43.42. dass-clause instead of an infinitive
A finite subordinate clause is often better when different subjects must be explicit or the infinitive group would be ambiguous.
Core pattern
Ich hoffe, dass sie informiert wird.
Ich hoffe, informiert zu werden.
C1 interpretation
The variants often differ more than a purely formal conversion suggests.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
44.43. Process passive and state
past participle + zu werden typically denotes a process; past participle + zu sein more often denotes a state or result.
Core pattern
geschlossen zu werden ↔ geschlossen zu sein
anerkannt zu werden ↔ anerkannt zu sein
C1 interpretation
The variants often differ more than a purely formal conversion suggests.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
45.44. zu sein is not automatically passive
zu sein can express a property, state, or identity. The construction must be analysed semantically.
Core pattern
bereit zu sein
verantwortlich zu sein
geschlossen zu sein
C1 interpretation
The variants often differ more than a purely formal conversion suggests.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
46.45. scheinen + zu
scheinen + zu is a special infinitive construction in which the surface subject is semantically closely linked to the infinitive.
Core pattern
Der Plan scheint zu funktionieren.
Der Plan scheint akzeptiert zu werden.
C1 interpretation
Related infinitive patterns should be recognised without being equated with the simple passive infinitive.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
47.46. drohen + zu
drohen + zu can express an undesirable development. The passive infinitive marks that the subject is affected.
Core pattern
Die Lage droht sich zu verschärfen.
Das Projekt droht gestoppt zu werden.
C1 interpretation
Related infinitive patterns should be recognised without being equated with the simple passive infinitive.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
48.47. Distinguishing lassen + infinitive
lassen + infinitive can express causation or permission and is structurally different from a simple passive infinitive.
Core pattern
Sie lässt den Bericht prüfen.
den Bericht prüfen zu lassen
C1 interpretation
Related infinitive patterns should be recognised without being equated with the simple passive infinitive.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
49.48. Distinguishing haben + zu / sein + zu
These patterns carry modal meaning and do not belong to the simple active/passive infinitive system.
Core pattern
Wir haben die Aufgabe zu erledigen.
Die Aufgabe ist zu erledigen.
C1 interpretation
Related infinitive patterns should be recognised without being equated with the simple passive infinitive.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
50.49. Information density
Infinitive groups increase information density because subject, conjunction, and finite verb can be omitted. This works only when reference is stable.
Core pattern
Wir hoffen, den Prozess beschleunigen zu können.
C1 interpretation
Style choice is a choice about density, responsibility, and focus.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
51.50. Infinitive style and nominal style
Infinitive groups condense like nominalisations but often remain more verbal and keep action or affectedness more visible.
Core pattern
die Prüfung der Daten ↔ die Daten zu prüfen
C1 interpretation
Style choice is a choice about density, responsibility, and focus.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
52.51. Formal style
Formal style frequently uses impersonal evaluations, longer postfield groups, and passive infinitives.
Core pattern
Es ist erforderlich, alle Angaben vollständig zu dokumentieren.
C1 interpretation
Style choice is a choice about density, responsibility, and focus.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
53.52. Academic style
In academic writing, infinitive groups formulate aims, methods, and limitations compactly.
Core pattern
Ziel ist es, die Daten systematisch auszuwerten.
Es ist zu vermeiden, Ergebnisse zu überinterpretieren.
C1 interpretation
Style choice is a choice about density, responsibility, and focus.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
54.53. Administrative style
Administrative style often uses passive infinitives for procedures, rights, and duties without foregrounding a personal actor.
Core pattern
Sie haben Anspruch darauf, schriftlich informiert zu werden.
C1 interpretation
Style choice is a choice about density, responsibility, and focus.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
55.54. Keeping responsibility visible
The passive can background the actor. This can be functional but should not unintentionally obscure responsibility.
Core pattern
Die Abteilung verpflichtet sich, die Daten zu schützen.
Die Betroffenen erwarten, informiert zu werden.
C1 interpretation
Style choice is a choice about density, responsibility, and focus.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
56.55. Topic and focus
Active and passive can control whether the actor, event, or affected participant remains the thematic anchor.
Core pattern
Die Bewerber wurden ausgewählt. Sie hoffen, bald informiert zu werden.
C1 interpretation
Style choice is a choice about density, responsibility, and focus.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
57.56. Reading long infinitive groups
When reading, identify the rightmost verb complex first and then work backwards through complements, negation, and adverbials.
Core pattern
... rechtzeitig über alle Änderungen informiert zu werden
C1 interpretation
At C1, reading strategy and grammar interact directly.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
58.57. Writing long infinitive groups
When writing, check control, negation scope, and the number of complements. Too many layers make the construction unnecessarily heavy.
Core pattern
die Beteiligten rechtzeitig und vollständig über die Folgen zu informieren
C1 interpretation
Good C1 syntax is not maximally dense but maximally controlled.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
59.58. Decompressing with a subordinate clause
A heavy infinitive construction can be made more transparent with a finite subordinate clause.
Core pattern
Er befürchtet, nicht berücksichtigt zu werden.
Er befürchtet, dass man ihn nicht berücksichtigt.
C1 interpretation
Good C1 syntax is not maximally dense but maximally controlled.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
60.59. Decompressing into two sentences
When several logical relations are packed into one infinitive group, two sentences are often clearer than maximum condensation.
Core pattern
Es ist wichtig, die Daten zu prüfen. Danach sollten sie veröffentlicht werden.
C1 interpretation
Good C1 syntax is not maximally dense but maximally controlled.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
61.60. Common error: missing zu
In many infinitive groups, zu is obligatory. Constructions without zu belong to other syntactic patterns.
Core pattern
*Ich hoffe, teilnehmen.
Ich hoffe, teilzunehmen.
C1 interpretation
The error often arises when only surface form is considered.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
62.61. Common error: wrong position of zu
With separable verbs, active zu is inserted into the verb; in the passive it stands before werden, not inside the participle.
Core pattern
einzubeziehen
einbezogen zu werden
C1 interpretation
The error often arises when only surface form is considered.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
63.62. Common error: confusing werden and sein
geschlossen zu werden denotes the process; geschlossen zu sein denotes the state. The choice changes the meaning.
Core pattern
geschlossen zu werden ≠ geschlossen zu sein
C1 interpretation
The error often arises when only surface form is considered.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
64.63. Common error: mechanically transferring roles
Active and passive must not be converted morphologically only. Check whether the same referent still has the same semantic role.
Core pattern
Ich hoffe, ihn zu informieren. ≠ Ich hoffe, informiert zu werden.
C1 interpretation
The error often arises when only surface form is considered.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
65.64. Common error: unnecessary agent
If the actor is irrelevant or known, a long von phrase often makes the passive infinitive heavier rather than more precise.
Core pattern
Sie hofft, bald informiert zu werden.
C1 interpretation
The error often arises when only surface form is considered.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
66.65. Common error: overloaded verb chain
Several infinitives, passive, and modality can be grammatically correct but practically very hard to read.
Core pattern
die Unterlagen vollständig geprüft werden zu müssen
C1 interpretation
The error often arises when only surface form is considered.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
67.66. C1 editing check
Before finalising the sentence, check four levels: implicit subject, voice, scope of negation, and readability.
Core pattern
Subjekt? → Aktiv/Passiv? → Negation? → Lesbarkeit?
C1 interpretation
Final editing connects grammar with readability.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
68.67. Overall mental model
C1 competence means analysing infinitive groups as a system of control, perspective, verb complex, and information structure.
Core pattern
Auslöser → Kontrolle → Aktiv/Passiv → Verbkomplex → Fokus → Stil
C1 interpretation
Final editing connects grammar with readability.
When writing, also check whether a finite subordinate clause would make participant roles clearer.
69.Reference: active and passive patterns
| Lexical verb | Active infinitive | Passive infinitive |
|---|---|---|
prüfen | zu prüfen | geprüft zu werden |
informieren | zu informieren | informiert zu werden |
berücksichtigen | zu berücksichtigen | berücksichtigt zu werden |
einladen | einzuladen | eingeladen zu werden |
aufnehmen | aufzunehmen | aufgenommen zu werden |
vorstellen | vorzustellen | vorgestellt zu werden |
analysieren | zu analysieren | analysiert zu werden |
dokumentieren | zu dokumentieren | dokumentiert zu werden |
befragen | zu befragen | befragt zu werden |
unterstützen | zu unterstützen | unterstützt zu werden |
beraten | zu beraten | beraten zu werden |
überprüfen | zu überprüfen | überprüft zu werden |
auswählen | auszuwählen | ausgewählt zu werden |
ablehnen | abzulehnen | abgelehnt zu werden |
anerkennen | anzuerkennen | anerkannt zu werden |
einschränken | einzuschränken | eingeschränkt zu werden |
ausschließen | auszuschließen | ausgeschlossen zu werden |
benachrichtigen | zu benachrichtigen | benachrichtigt zu werden |
veröffentlichen | zu veröffentlichen | veröffentlicht zu werden |
ändern | zu ändern | geändert zu werden |
70.Reference: common triggers
| Trigger | Model |
|---|---|
hoffen | Ich hoffe, berücksichtigt zu werden. |
versuchen | Sie versucht, aufgenommen zu werden. |
erwarten | Wir erwarten, rechtzeitig informiert zu werden. |
befürchten | Er befürchtet, ausgeschlossen zu werden. |
beschließen | Die Gruppe beschließt, den Text zu überarbeiten. |
beabsichtigen | Wir beabsichtigen, die Daten neu auszuwerten. |
darauf achten | Wir achten darauf, die Daten zu anonymisieren. |
darauf bestehen | Sie besteht darauf, schriftlich informiert zu werden. |
wichtig sein | Es ist wichtig, alle Beteiligten einzubeziehen. |
notwendig sein | Es ist notwendig, rechtzeitig informiert zu werden. |
möglich sein | Es ist möglich, den Termin zu verschieben. |
unangenehm sein | Es ist unangenehm, ständig unterbrochen zu werden. |
die Möglichkeit | Es besteht die Möglichkeit, schriftlich benachrichtigt zu werden. |
die Absicht | Sie hat die Absicht, den Bericht zu veröffentlichen. |
die Hoffnung | Er hat die Hoffnung, berücksichtigt zu werden. |
die Pflicht | Es besteht die Pflicht, die Angaben zu dokumentieren. |
71.Systematic contrasts: active ↔ passive ↔ finite clause
K1
Aktiv: Ich hoffe, den Bericht bald zu prüfen.
Passiv: Ich hoffe, bald informiert zu werden.
Finit: Ich hoffe, dass man mich bald informiert.
The three variants are not automatically equivalent. What matters is which participant is construed as actor or affected participant.
K2
Aktiv: Sie versucht, die Gruppe zu überzeugen.
Passiv: Sie versucht, in die Gruppe aufgenommen zu werden.
Finit: Sie versucht zu erreichen, dass die Gruppe sie aufnimmt.
The three variants are not automatically equivalent. What matters is which participant is construed as actor or affected participant.
K3
Aktiv: Es ist wichtig, die Daten zu prüfen.
Passiv: Es ist wichtig, rechtzeitig informiert zu werden.
Finit: Es ist wichtig, dass man alle rechtzeitig informiert.
The three variants are not automatically equivalent. What matters is which participant is construed as actor or affected participant.
K4
Aktiv: Er meldet sich an, um den Kurs zu besuchen.
Passiv: Er meldet sich an, um berücksichtigt zu werden.
Finit: Er meldet sich an, damit man ihn berücksichtigt.
The three variants are not automatically equivalent. What matters is which participant is construed as actor or affected participant.
K5
Aktiv: Sie ging, ohne den Bericht zu lesen.
Passiv: Sie ging, ohne informiert zu werden.
Finit: Sie ging, ohne dass man sie informiert hatte.
The three variants are not automatically equivalent. What matters is which participant is construed as actor or affected participant.
K6
Aktiv: Wir erwarten, die Ergebnisse bald zu erhalten.
Passiv: Wir erwarten, bald benachrichtigt zu werden.
Finit: Wir erwarten, dass man uns bald benachrichtigt.
The three variants are not automatically equivalent. What matters is which participant is construed as actor or affected participant.
K7
Aktiv: Es ist sinnvoll, die Kriterien zu erläutern.
Passiv: Es ist sinnvoll, alle Beteiligten einzubeziehen.
Finit: Es ist sinnvoll, dass man alle Beteiligten einbezieht.
The three variants are not automatically equivalent. What matters is which participant is construed as actor or affected participant.
K8
Aktiv: Der Plan scheint zu funktionieren.
Passiv: Der Plan scheint akzeptiert zu werden.
Finit: Es scheint, dass der Plan akzeptiert wird.
The three variants are not automatically equivalent. What matters is which participant is construed as actor or affected participant.
K9
Aktiv: Das Projekt droht zu scheitern.
Passiv: Das Projekt droht gestoppt zu werden.
Finit: Es droht, dass das Projekt gestoppt wird.
The three variants are not automatically equivalent. What matters is which participant is construed as actor or affected participant.
K10
Aktiv: Die Redaktion plant, den Text zu kürzen.
Passiv: Die Autorin hofft, nicht zu stark gekürzt zu werden.
Finit: Die Autorin hofft, dass man ihren Text nicht zu stark kürzt.
The three variants are not automatically equivalent. What matters is which participant is construed as actor or affected participant.
K11
Aktiv: Sie besteht darauf, den Vorgang zu dokumentieren.
Passiv: Sie besteht darauf, informiert zu werden.
Finit: Sie besteht darauf, dass man sie informiert.
The three variants are not automatically equivalent. What matters is which participant is construed as actor or affected participant.
K12
Aktiv: Die Bewerber versuchen, alle Unterlagen einzureichen.
Passiv: Die Bewerber hoffen, berücksichtigt zu werden.
Finit: Die Bewerber hoffen, dass die Kommission sie berücksichtigt.
The three variants are not automatically equivalent. What matters is which participant is construed as actor or affected participant.
72.C1 model analysis of a dense sentence
Die Bewerber hoffen, nach Abschluss der internen Prüfung rechtzeitig über die nächsten Schritte informiert und nicht ohne weitere Begründung vom Verfahren ausgeschlossen zu werden.
hoffenis the matrix verb.- The implicit subject of the infinitive group is
die Bewerber. informiert ... zu werdenandausgeschlossen zu werdenare coordinated passive infinitives.nach Abschluss der internen Prüfungprovides the temporal frame.über die nächsten Schrittebelongs withinformieren.nicht ohne weitere Begründungspecifies the undesirable exclusion.- The construction remains readable because reference and semantic roles stay stable.
73.Editing checklist
- Is the trigger of the infinitive group clear?
- Is the implicit subject unambiguous?
- Does active or passive fit the intended perspective?
- Is
zupositioned correctly? - Is passive
past participle + zu werdenformed correctly? - Are dative and prepositional complements preserved?
- Is the scope of negation clear?
- Is the actor genuinely unimportant if passive is used?
- Is the verb chain still readable?
- Would a
dass-clause be more precise?
74.Summary
active: zu + infinitive → die Daten zu prüfen
passive: past participle + zu werden → geprüft zu werden
state: past participle + zu sein → geschlossen zu sein
The real C1 competence is not form-building alone:
identify trigger
→ determine control
→ check semantic role
→ choose active / passive
→ build verb complex
→ organise negation and complements
→ check information structure
→ check readability
Core rule: A passive infinitive is not a purely mechanical version of the active. It changes the perspective on the event, actor, and affected participant. At C1, form and reference must therefore be controlled together.