Express a purpose with the same or different subjects.
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What you will learn
Express a purpose with the same or different subjects.
Expressing purpose: damit and um … zu
A purpose clause answers Wozu? or Wofür? Damit introduces a subordinate clause with a subject and a final finite verb: Ich spreche langsam, damit du mich verstehst. The subjects can differ, as ich and du do here.
With the same acting subject, use um … zu without repeating the subject: Ich lerne, um die Prüfung zu bestehen. The verb is an infinitive. Damit can also use the same subject, so exercises specify the required construction.
With separable verbs, put zu between prefix and verb: einkaufen → einzukaufen. Use a comma before um … zu and before damit. If the purpose phrase comes first, the main verb follows: Um Zeit zu sparen, nehme ich den Bus.
Examples
Ich lerne, um die Prüfung zu bestehen.
Meaning
I study in order to pass the exam.
Ich spreche langsam, damit du mich verstehst.
Meaning
I speak slowly so that you understand me.
Wir gehen in den Supermarkt, um einzukaufen.
Meaning
We go to the supermarket to shop.
Lesson exercises
B1 · 10
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Exercise 1 / 10
Choose the answer that fits the context and requested tense.
Ich spreche langsam, ___ du mich verstehst. (Ziel)
Correct answer ✓Incorrect answer
Correct answer: damit
Why? Answer: damit — Damit permits its own subject and a final finite verb.
Exercise 2 / 10
Choose the answer that fits the context and requested tense.
Ich lerne, ___ die Prüfung zu bestehen. (um … zu)
Correct answer ✓Incorrect answer
Correct answer: um
Why? Answer: um — With um … zu do not repeat the subject; use a zu-infinitive.
Exercise 3 / 10
Choose the answer that fits the context and requested tense.
Ich spare Geld, um ein Fahrrad zu ___. (kaufen)
Correct answer ✓Incorrect answer
Correct answer: kaufen
Why? Answer: kaufen — With um … zu do not repeat the subject; use a zu-infinitive.
Exercise 4 / 10
Choose the answer that fits the context and requested tense.
Ich helfe dir, damit du die Aufgabe ___. (verstehen)
Correct answer ✓Incorrect answer
Correct answer: verstehst
Why? Answer: verstehst — Damit permits its own subject and a final finite verb.
Exercise 5 / 10
Choose the answer that fits the context and requested tense.
Wir gehen zum Supermarkt, um ___. (einkaufen)
Correct answer ✓Incorrect answer
Correct answer: einzukaufen
Why? Answer: einzukaufen — Put zu between a separable prefix and its verb.
Exercise 6 / 10
Choose the answer that fits the context and requested tense.
Um Zeit zu sparen, ___ ich den Bus.
Correct answer ✓Incorrect answer
Correct answer: nehme
Why? Answer: nehme — A fronted purpose phrase is followed by the main verb and subject.
Exercise 7 / 10
Choose the answer that fits the context and requested tense.
Ich lerne, um ___.
Correct answer ✓Incorrect answer
Correct answer: besser Deutsch zu sprechen
Why? Answer: besser Deutsch zu sprechen — With um … zu do not repeat the subject; use a zu-infinitive.
Exercise 8 / 10
Choose the answer that fits the context and requested tense.
Ich öffne das Fenster, damit frische Luft ___. (hereinkommen)
Correct answer ✓Incorrect answer
Correct answer: hereinkommt
Why? Answer: hereinkommt — Damit permits its own subject and a final finite verb.
Exercise 9 / 10
Choose the answer that fits the context and requested tense.
Was ist das Ziel? Ich lerne, um die Prüfung zu bestehen.
Correct answer ✓Incorrect answer
Correct answer: Die Prüfung bestehen.
Why? Answer: Die Prüfung bestehen. — With um … zu do not repeat the subject; use a zu-infinitive.
Exercise 10 / 10
Choose the answer that fits the context and requested tense.
Welche um-zu-Form ist korrekt?
Correct answer ✓Incorrect answer
Correct answer: Ich komme, um dir zu helfen.
Why? Answer: Ich komme, um dir zu helfen. — With um … zu do not repeat the subject; use a zu-infinitive.
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Grammar references for further reading
Original B1 lessons, examples and exercises by WikiGerman. Study in order or choose a topic to review.