what is it?
German has two main ways to express purpose — the reason why something is done. um … zu + infinitive is a compact construction that works only when the subject of the main clause and the subject of the purpose clause are the same person or thing. damit + full subordinate clause is used when the subjects differ, and is also acceptable when they are the same. The choice between them is therefore determined first by whether the subjects match.
when to use it
Same subject → prefer um … zu. When the person acting in the purpose clause is the same as in the main clause, um … zu is the natural, preferred choice. It is shorter and more idiomatic than damit in this situation.
Different subjects → damit is obligatory. When the purpose clause has a different subject from the main clause, um … zu is grammatically impossible. damit must be used, and the subordinate clause requires a conjugated verb.
Same subject → damit is also possible. damit with a full clause is grammatically correct even when subjects match, though it sounds more formal or emphatic in that context.
formation
The two constructions are built differently. The table below shows the pattern for each.
| construction | pattern | example |
|---|---|---|
| um … zu + infinitive | main clause + , um … zu + infinitive | Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Berlin zu arbeiten. |
| damit + subordinate clause | main clause + , damit + subject + … + verb (end position) | Sie erklärt es langsam, damit alle sie verstehen. |
In um … zu constructions, zu is placed directly before the infinitive. With separable verbs, zu is inserted between the prefix and the verb stem: um anzufangen, um einzukaufen. In damit clauses, the conjugated verb moves to the end of the clause, following standard subordinating-conjunction word order.
examples in context
common pitfalls
Using um … zu when the subjects differ.
✗ Ich erkläre es, um meine Kinder dort studieren.
✓ Ich erkläre es, damit meine Kinder dort studieren können.
The subject of the purpose clause (meine Kinder) is different from the main-clause subject (ich). um … zu is impossible here; damit with a conjugated verb is required.
Inserting zu inside a damit clause.
✗ Ich gehe früh, damit ich zu arbeiten.
✓ Ich gehe früh, damit ich arbeiten kann.
damit introduces a full subordinate clause with a conjugated verb. zu belongs to the um … zu construction only and must not appear inside a damit clause.
Using für + infinitive by analogy with English "for … -ing" or "in order for".
✗ Ich lerne Deutsch für zu arbeiten.
✓ Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Berlin zu arbeiten.
German does not use für with an infinitive to express purpose. This error is driven by English interference. Use um … zu or damit instead.
Three sentences, graded here. Nothing is saved and no account is needed.
Sie geht jeden Morgen joggen, ___ fit zu bleiben.
Fill in the blank with the correct word to complete the purpose clause.