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      Abitur oder Ausbildung: ohne...zu..., entweder...oder..., weder...noch...

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use a range of infinitive 'zu' clauses and compound conjunctions to discuss post-16 options and plans.

      Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

      Key learning points

      1. When combined with a second verb in the infinitive, some verbs require the addition of ‘zu’ before the infinitive.
      2. Infinitive constructions are separated from other clauses with a comma.
      3. Use 'ohne … zu' + infinitive to mean 'without’, '(an)statt ... zu' for 'instead of', 'um ... zu' to mean 'in order to'.
      4. Use the conjunction 'entweder … oder ...' to mean 'either … or ...' and 'weder … noch ...' to mean 'neither … nor ...'.
      5. 'Entweder ... oder ...' and 'weder ... noch...' are useful for expressing options and possibilities.

      Keywords

      • Infinitive - form of the verb giving its general meaning, with no subject or tense

      • Compound conjunction - a conjunction which consists of more than one word

      Common misconception

      The subject and verb in a 'zu' clause must match the subject and tense of the linked clause.

      We always use the infinitive and never a subject and finite verb in constructions with 'zu'. This applies to all tenses.

      Teacher tip

      The compound conjunctions 'entweder ... oder ...' and 'weder ... noch ...' are only required at Higher tier, but teachers of mixed classes might find them a useful and relatively straighforward learning point for many students.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the German and English.

      Correct Answer:arbeiten,to work, working
      Correct Answer:Arbeit (f),work
      Correct Answer:Arbeitgeber (m),employer
      Correct Answer:Arbeitnehmer (m),employee
      Correct Answer:Abitur (n),A-levels (equivalent)
      Correct Answer:Ausbilding (f),apprenticeship

      Q2.
      Match the German and English.

      Correct Answer:sich äußern,to express oneself, expressing oneself
      Correct Answer:drohen,to threaten, threatening
      Correct Answer:sich kümmern um,to take care off, to be concerned about
      Correct Answer:überzeugen,to convince, convincing
      Correct Answer:reich,rich
      Correct Answer:technisch,technical

      Q3.
      'Hast du heute __________ gelernt?'. Which of these words could fill the gap?

      Correct answer: etwas
      Schule
      Beruf
      interessant
      Correct answer: Mathematik

      Q4.
      Sort the words below into the correct order to form a sentence, starting with 'later'.

      1 - später
      2 - möchte
      3 - ich
      4 - als
      5 - Lehrerin
      6 - arbeiten

      Q5.
      Translate the following sentence into English: 'Das Gehalt wird sehr hoch sein.'.

      Correct Answer: The salary will be very high., The pay will be very high.

      Q6.
      Translate the following sentence into German: 'My report was quite good.'.

      Correct Answer: Mein Zeugnis war ziemlich gut.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the German and English.

      Correct Answer:Abschluss (nt),graduation, degree
      Correct Answer:Geschäft (nt),shop
      Correct Answer:Einkommen (nt),income, pay
      Correct Answer:Entscheidung (f),decision
      Correct Answer:Oberstufe (f),sixth form
      Correct Answer:Veränderung (f),change

      Q2.
      Match the German and English.

      Correct Answer:um ... zu ...,in order to ...
      Correct Answer:ohne ... zu ...,without ...
      Correct Answer:(an)statt ... zu ...,instead of ...
      Correct Answer:entweder ... oder …,either ... or ...
      Correct Answer:weder ... noch …,neither ... nor ...

      Q3.
      When combined with a second verb in the infinitive, which of these verbs require ‘zu’ before the infinitive?

      finden
      Correct answer: hoffen
      überraschen
      Correct answer: versuchen
      Correct answer: vorhaben

      Q4.
      'Mein Lehrer sagt, ich muss Deutsch lernen, __________ einen Job in Deutschland __________ finden.'. Which words are missing?

      Correct answer: um; zu
      ohne; zu
      statt; zu
      entweder; oder
      weder; noch

      Q5.
      Sort the words below into the correct order to form the following sentence: 'I plan to go to university.'

      1 - ich
      2 - habe
      3 - vor,
      4 - zur
      5 - Universität
      6 - zu
      7 - gehen

      Q6.
      Translate the following into German: 'without working in the office'.

      Correct Answer: ohne im Büro zu arbeiten., ohne im Büro zu arbeiten, ohne im Buero zu arbeiten., ohne im Buero zu arbeiten

      To help you plan your 10 German lesson on: Abitur oder Ausbildung: ohne...zu..., entweder...oder..., weder...noch..., download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...