When would one use ‚ohne..dass and ohne...zu in German? Both translate as without but how are they used?

Question

Answer

You can use "ohne zu" + infinitive if the verb after zu takes the same subject as the main clause. This is a kind of short form that works without repeating the subject.
"Ohne dass" requires a full subordinate clause including a subject. You have to use this if the subject of the subordinate clause is different from the subject in the main clause.

Examples:
Er geht über die Straße ohne sich umzusehen. (The subject of "umzusehen" is also "er")

Er geht über die Straße ohne dass der Autofahrer ihn bemerkt. (Two different subjects: "er" and "der Autofahrer").

You can also transform any "ohne zu" sentence into an "ohne dass" sentence:
Er geht über die Straße ohne dass er sich umsieht. (Notice that "er" occurs twice here).

لا تفوّت فرصة تعلّم لغة جديدة وأنت مرتاح في منزلك. تصفّح مجموعتنا المختارة من مدرّسي اللغات ذوي الخبرة وسجّل في درسك الأول الآن!