In German, a double-infinitive or Ersatzinfinitv is a sequence of two infinitive verbs in a single sentence. This usually occurs when a modal verb (or something similar) is used in one of the tenses that is formed with an auxiliary verb (present perfect, past perfect, simple future, subjunctive). In these tenses, both the verb you’re putting in the compound tense and the main verb are placed together, at the end of the sentence. For example:
Now, let’s take a look at the verbs that can trigger a double-infinitive, how to form them and where they are positioned. Ready, set, go!
What verbs can trigger the double-infinitive in German?
German double infinitives can be triggered by verbs that modify other verbs. These are primarily modal verbs, but can be verbs belonging to a few other groups.
Double-infinitives occur when a verb in a compound tense modifies another verb. A clause with a double infinitive has three verbs total:
the conjugated auxiliary verb needed for the tense
the verb you’re putting in that compound tense → in the infinitive form!
the verb modified by the verb in the compound tense
Verbs (2) and (3) come together at the end of the sentence as the double infinitive!
Compare the following examples — one in a simple tense (simple present) and the other in a compound tense (present perfect):
And now, let’s dig a little deeper into the types of verbs that usually occur in double infinitives.
Modal verbs
Modal verbs are the verbs that most commonly trigger a double-infinitive in German. A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb that expresses necessity or possibility. In German, the six modal verbs are:
können meaning to be able to; can
müssen meaning to have to; must
sollen meaning to be supposed to; shall
dürfen meaning to be allowed to; to may
wollen meaning to want
mögen meaning to like
Modals are very commonly used to modify another verb, so when they’re used in a compound tense you’ll usually see a double infinitive:
Verbs of perception that can act like modal verbs
Verbs of perception, like hören meaning to hear and sehen meaning to see, can also trigger a double infinitive in contexts where you’re expressing that someone perceived an action.
Check out this comprehensive list of German verbs of perception for more verbs like this!
Other verbs that trigger double infinitives
There are a handful of other verbs that can also trigger a double-infinitive. Some examples are the verbs helfen meaning to help and lassen meaning to let.
Check out this list of other verbs that trigger double infinitives, or head over to our post on the German verb lassen to learn more!
What tenses use the double infinitive appear in?
In German, double infinitives can appear in any of the compound tenses. This includes:
The perfect tenses (past and present)
Double infinitives are often used in the present perfect and past perfect. Both of these tenses are usually formed by combining the auxiliary verb sein meaning to be or haben meaning to have with the past participle of the main verb.
However, when you use one of the verbs we discussed above (e.g. modals, perception verbs) in this tense, the main verb will instead be in the infinitive form, resulting in a double infinitive:
The future tense
Double-infinitives can occur in the simple future tense as well. You have to position them at the end of the clause. The auxiliary to form the simple future tense is always werden meaning will.
The past subjunctive II
You’ll use a double infinitive if you use the past subjunctive II of a modal or similar verb.
The past subjunctive II is formed by combining hätten meaning would have, the subjunctive II of haben, with the main verb. We mostly use this form of a modal to express ideas like “would have had to,” “would have been supposed to,” “should have,” “would have been able to,” “could have,” or “would have been allowed to.
Where to put the double infinitive in a sentence?
In German, double infinitives come at the end of a sentence or clause. The infinitive that is being put into the compound tense comes second:
In a standard sentence, the auxiliary is always in second position.
In questions with a question word like warum meaning why, was meaning what, etc., the auxiliary is in second position and the double infinitive in last position.
In questions without a question word, the auxiliary is in first position and the double infinitive in last position.
It’s also important to note that the infinitive that goes with the conjugated auxiliary verb comes last and the modified verb second to last, which is not interchangeable.
In subordinate clauses, where the conjugated verb is generally “kicked” to the end, the double-infinitive is still always placed at the end, though the auxiliary comes immediately before it.
Learn more about German word order in subordinate clauses in our comprehensive article!
Summary
In this article, we introduced the idea of double infinitives in German.
You’ll only ever use a double infinitive when using these types of verbs…
modal verbs (e.g. können), perception verbs (e.g. hören), and a few others
…in a compound tense like...
present perfect, past perfect, future, past subjunctive II
…to modify another verb!
A double infinitive will always come at the end of a clause and the verb you’re putting in the compound tense will come after the modified verb.
Are you ready to take your newly gained knowledge to the test? Head over to our German double infinitive exercises and practice what you have just read!
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