Current punctuation and spelling essentials
Apply current comma rules, recognise integrated infinitives and avoid common spelling traps.
The rule
Use commas at clause boundaries, including clause-like infinitives under the 2024 rules. Do not split an integrated predicate; capitalise words used as nouns.
ich hoffe, … zu … · du brauchst nicht … zu … · nominalisierte Verben groß
The official 2024 rules separate finite and clause-like infinitive subordinate clauses with commas, including expanded dependent zu-groups.
A bare unexpanded zu-infinitive can be treated as a word group or clause; this can make the comma optional.
An integrated multi-part predicate takes no internal separating comma: du brauchst nicht zu kommen, die Regel ist zu beachten.
Core forms and structures
Use this table as a reference, then retrieve the forms without looking.
| Form | Function | German example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| , | The expanded clause-like infinitive is comma-separated under the 2024 rules. | Ich hoffe, den Kurs bald abzuschließen. | I hope to finish the course soon. |
| , | The expanded dependent infinitive takes a comma, not a semicolon. | Er versucht, den Text zu verstehen. | He tries to understand the text. |
| zu beachten | Integrated sein plus zu-infinitive is not internally comma-split. | Die Regel ist zu beachten. | The rule must be observed. |
| Lesen | The noun use after beim is capitalised: Lesen. | Beim Lesen mache ich Notizen. | I take notes while reading. |
| dass | A content subordinate clause is introduced by dass. | Ich weiß, dass sie kommt. | I know that she is coming. |
German examples with English meanings
Ich hoffe, den Kurs bald abzuschließen.
I hope to finish the course soon.
The expanded clause-like infinitive is comma-separated under the 2024 rules.
Er versucht, den Text zu verstehen.
He tries to understand the text.
The expanded dependent infinitive takes a comma, not a semicolon.
Die Regel ist zu beachten.
The rule must be observed.
Integrated sein plus zu-infinitive is not internally comma-split.
Beim Lesen mache ich Notizen.
I take notes while reading.
The noun use after beim is capitalised: Lesen.
Ich weiß, dass sie kommt.
I know that she is coming.
A content subordinate clause is introduced by dass.
Das Buch, das ich lese, ist neu.
The book that I am reading is new.
Könnten Sie mir helfen?
Could you help me?
Du brauchst nicht zu warten.
You do not need to wait.
Sie ging, ohne sich zu verabschieden.
She left without saying goodbye.
Wir haben den Wunsch, gemeinsam zu arbeiten.
We have the wish to work together.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Das Buch, dass ich lese, ist neu.
Correct: Das Buch, das ich lese, ist neu.
The neuter relative pronoun referring to Buch is das.
Incorrect: Könnten sie mir helfen?
Correct: Könnten Sie mir helfen?
Formal address uses capitalised Sie.
Incorrect: Du brauchst nicht zu, warten.
Correct: Du brauchst nicht zu warten.
Integrated restricted brauchen is not split before its infinitive.
Incorrect: Sie ging, ohne sich verabschieden zu.
Correct: Sie ging, ohne sich zu verabschieden.
ohne introduces a clause-like zu-infinitive.
Incorrect: Wir haben den Wunsch; gemeinsam zu arbeiten.
Correct: Wir haben den Wunsch, gemeinsam zu arbeiten.
An expanded infinitive dependent on Wunsch is comma-separated.
Details and useful distinctions
Commas frame relative clauses and mark clause boundaries; German does not require a comma simply because a speaker pauses.
Nominalised verbs and adjectives are capitalised. Formal Sie, Ihnen and possessive Ihr are capitalised; dass and das have different grammatical functions.
Practise this grammar
Check the grammatical structure first, then punctuation, capitals and conventional word spelling.
Open Current punctuation and spelling essentials exercises →
For source references and editorial level notes, see the grammar reference. You can report a correction if an explanation or example seems wrong.