scheinen zu

Es scheint zu regnen. / Er scheint müde zu sein.

drohen zu

Die Kosten drohen zu steigen.

versprechen zu

Sie verspricht, pünktlich zu sein. — note comma patterns with zu.

Register

drohen appears in politics and economics texts.

Practice

Find two authentic sentences online with scheinen zu and copy their structure with new vocabulary.

Practical Examples

1. Der neue Plan scheint erfolgreich zu sein.

• English: The new plan seems to be successful.
• Usage Note: Used to express an assumption or impression about the current state of something.

1. Die Wirtschaft scheint sich langsam zu erholen.

• English: The economy seems to be recovering slowly.
• Usage Note: Indicates an observation or a perceived trend.

1. Scheint es dir wichtig zu sein, das Projekt pünktlich abzuschließen?

• English: Does it seem important to you to complete the project on time?
• Usage Note: Forms a question about someone's perception or the apparent importance of something.

1. Er scheint die Anweisungen nicht verstanden zu haben.

• English: He doesn't seem to have understood the instructions.
• Usage Note: Used with the perfect infinitive ("verstanden zu haben") to express an assumption about a past event.

1. Das Wetter scheint heute besser zu werden.

• English: The weather seems to be getting better today.
• Usage Note: Expresses an expectation or a likely development based on current signs.

1. Die Firma droht Hunderte von Arbeitsplätzen abzubauen.

• English: The company threatens to cut hundreds of jobs.
• Usage Note: Indicates a looming negative consequence or a serious warning.

1. Wenn wir nicht handeln, droht die Situation außer Kontrolle zu geraten.

• English: If we don't act, the situation threatens to get out of control.
• Usage Note: Highlights a potential negative outcome if a certain action is not taken.

1. Dem Angeklagten droht eine lange Haftstrafe zu bekommen.

• English: The accused faces the threat of receiving a long prison sentence.
• Usage Note: Describes a serious, often legal, consequence that is likely to occur.

1. Ich verspreche, dich morgen anzurufen.

• English: I promise to call you tomorrow.
• Usage Note: Expresses a personal commitment or assurance for a future action.

1. Die neue Software verspricht, die Arbeitsprozesse zu vereinfachen.

• English: The new software promises to simplify work processes.
• Usage Note: Refers to the potential or expected positive outcome of something (often a product or service).

1. Er hat versprochen, uns bei dem Umzug zu helfen.

• English: He promised to help us with the move.
• Usage Note: Used in the perfect tense ("hat versprochen") to refer to a promise made in the past.

1. Versprichst du, das Geheimnis für dich zu behalten?

• English: Do you promise to keep the secret to yourself?
• Usage Note: Forms a direct question asking for a commitment.

1. Die Regierung verspricht, die Steuern nicht zu erhöhen.

• English: The government promises not to raise taxes.
• Usage Note: Used with negation ("nicht zu erhöhen") to express a promise not to do something.

1. Der Bergsteiger drohte abzustürzen, aber er konnte sich noch festhalten.

• English: The climber threatened to fall, but he was still able to hold on.
• Usage Note: Describes a past imminent danger that was narrowly avoided.