German conjugation explanation

Double Infinitive (Ersatzinfinitiv)

<p>Usually, the

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/study/tenseGuideForTense/52/" target="_blank">Perfect tense</a>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/haben/" title="Click to see conjugations for haben" target="_blank">haben</a>

<p>However, there is a major exception when dealing with

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/conjugationExplanation/german_modal_verb_conjugation/" target="_blank">modal verbs</a>

<p>This results in two infinitives appearing at the end of the sentence. This construction is known as the <strong>Double Infinitive</strong> (or <span style="font-style: italic;">Ersatzinfinitiv</span>).</p>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Ich habe es nicht <span class="green_emphasis">machen können</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I was not able to do it.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence_note">Note: Usually, the participle of <span style="font-style: italic;">können</span> is <span style="font-style: italic;">gekonnt</span>, but here we use the infinitive <span style="font-style: italic;">können</span> because of the main verb <span style="font-style: italic;">machen</span>.</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">When to use the Double Infinitive</div>

<p>It is crucial to distinguish between a modal verb used alone versus a modal verb used with another infinitive.</p>

<ul>

<li>

<div><strong>Modal verb without a main verb:</strong> Use the regular Past Participle.</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Ich habe das nicht <span class="green_emphasis">gekonnt</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I couldn't [do] that.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Er hat das nicht <span class="green_emphasis">gewollt</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He didn't want that.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div><strong>Modal verb + Main verb:</strong> Use the Double Infinitive.</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Ich habe das nicht <span class="green_emphasis">machen können</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I couldn't do that.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Er hat das nicht <span class="green_emphasis">sagen wollen</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He didn't want to say that.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Wir haben <span class="green_emphasis">gehen müssen</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">We had to go.</span>)</div>

</li>

</ul>

<p>This rule applies to all modal verbs in German:

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/k%C3%B6nnen/" title="Click to see conjugations for können" target="_blank">können</a>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/m%C3%BCssen/" title="Click to see conjugations for müssen" target="_blank">müssen</a>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/d%C3%BCrfen/" title="Click to see conjugations for dürfen" target="_blank">dürfen</a>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/sollen/" title="Click to see conjugations for sollen" target="_blank">sollen</a>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/wollen/" title="Click to see conjugations for wollen" target="_blank">wollen</a>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/m%C3%B6gen/" title="Click to see conjugations for mögen" target="_blank">mögen</a>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Other verbs using this construction</div>

<p>Beyond modal verbs, this rule often applies to a few specific verbs associated with perception or assistance, most notably

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/lassen/" title="Click to see conjugations for lassen" target="_blank">lassen</a>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/sehen/" title="Click to see conjugations for sehen" target="_blank">sehen</a>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/h%C3%B6ren/" title="Click to see conjugations for hören" target="_blank">hören</a>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Ich habe mein Auto <span class="green_emphasis">reparieren lassen</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I had my car repaired.</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence_note">NOT: Ich habe mein Auto reparieren <span class="red_emphasis">gelassen</span>.</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Hast du ihn <span class="green_emphasis">kommen sehen</span>? (<span style="font-style: italic;">Did you see him coming?</span>)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Summary of Word Order</div>

<p>Below is a pattern summary for constructing these sentences:</p>

<p style="text-align: center;">Subject + <strong>haben</strong> + Objects + <strong>Main Verb (Infinitive)</strong> + <strong>Modal Verb (Infinitive)</strong></p>