Double Infinitive Verbs in German (Doppelinfinitiv)

In German grammar, a Double Infinitive (Doppelinfinitiv) occurs when two infinitive verbs appear together at the end of a clause or sentence. This structure is most common with modal verbs (können, müssen, sollen, dürfen, wollen, mögen) in perfect tenses or after certain verbs like lassen, sehen, hören, helfen.

1. Basic Concept

Normally, when you form the Perfekt (present perfect) tense, you use haben or sein plus the past participle:

Ich habe gearbeitet. → I have worked.

But when a modal verb or certain other verbs are involved, German uses two infinitives at the end instead of a participle. That’s why it’s called a “double infinitive.”

2. Sentence Structure

The sentence structure looks like this:

Subject + haben/sein (conjugated) + other elements + infinitive 1 + infinitive 2

Example:

Ich habe Deutsch lernen wollen. → I wanted to learn German.

Here, both lernen and wollen remain in the infinitive form.

3. Common Verbs That Use Double Infinitives

• Modal verbs in perfect tense (wollen, können, müssen, sollen, dürfen, mögen)
• Verbs like lassen, sehen, hören, helfen

4. Examples with Modal Verbs

Er hat das Auto reparieren müssen. → He had to repair the car.

Wir haben früh aufstehen wollen. → We wanted to get up early.

Sie hat kommen dürfen. → She was allowed to come.

5. Examples with Other Verbs

Ich habe ihn singen hören. → I have heard him sing.

Sie hat mich das machen lassen. → She let me do that.

6. Important Notes

Note: In double infinitive constructions, the auxiliary verb haben (or sein in motion verbs) appears in second position and both infinitives go at the end of the clause.

Also, zu is not used in these double infinitive constructions with modal verbs or verbs like lassen.

7. More Examples

• Ich habe gehen müssen. → I had to go.
• Er hat das Buch lesen wollen. → He wanted to read the book.
• Sie hat mich tanzen sehen. → She saw me dance.

8. Summary Table

9. Practice Tip

When you form perfect tense sentences with modal verbs, always think of two infinitives at the end instead of a participle. Try to listen for this pattern in German movies or podcasts to become more natural with it.