The form anstatt … zu (sometimes statt … zu) introduces an alternative option or something that is unexpected. In English, an equivalent would be instead of.
Um…zu and ohne…zu can also be used as an infinitive construction (Infinitivskonstruktion) where they are merely placed in front of an infinitive with other details in between.
German infinitival clauses are formed using the preposition “zu” and a verb infinitive. Many of “zu + infinitive” constructions can be translated into English with “to + infinitive”.
Examples:Er hat heute keine Zeit die E-Mail zu lesen. He has no time today to read the email.
Some infinitival clauses are translated into English with gerunds (verb + ing). Two examples are the conjunctions “(an)statt zu + infinitive” and “ohne zu + infinitive”.
1. Introduction to Anstatt Zu and Ohne Zu
In German, the phrases “anstatt zu” and “ohne zu” are used to express alternative options or unexpected situations. “Anstatt zu” is equivalent to “instead of” in English, while “ohne zu” means “without doing”. These phrases are used in infinitive constructions, which are an essential part of German grammar. In this section, we will explore the usage and examples of “anstatt zu” and “ohne zu” in German sentences.
2. “(An)statt + zu + infinitive”
The conjunction “anstatt” or “statt” + “zu” is used to express “instead of doing”. “Doing” in this example is the gerund. “Anstatt” and “statt” are interchangeable. As with other infinitive clauses, using “anstatt” moves the “zu + infinitive” to the end of the clause or sentence.
Examples:Er bleibt heute zu Hause, anstatt zur Arbeit zu gehen. He is staying home today, instead of going to work.
Wir gehen lieber essen, statt selber zu kochen. We would rather go out to eat instead of cooking ourselves.
Careful: “statt” can also be used as a preposition. If used as a preposition, it triggers the genitive case.
3. Ohne + zu + infinitive
“Ohne zu” is used to express “without doing” something. It is often used in sentences where the speaker wants to express a lack of action or a negative consequence. For example:
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Ohne sich warm zu machen, nahm er am Training teil. (Without warming up, he participated in the training.)
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Sie hat die Prüfung bestanden, ohne gelernt zu haben. (She passed the exam without having studied.)
In these examples, “ohne zu” is used to express a lack of action or a negative consequence. The “ohne … zu” clause can come before or after the main clause; “zu” + infinitive always goes at the end of the infinitive clause.
We must keep two things in mind when building these constructions:
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The subject in the subordinate clause is the same as in the main clause.
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zu + verb in the infinitive goes at the end of the infinitive clause.