fortzufahren

Fortzufahren is a German verb form meaning “to continue” or “to carry on.” It is the infinitive with the particle zu attached to the verb fortfahren, which itself means “to proceed” or “to go on.” The prefix fort- conveys continuation beyond a starting point, and fahren is the root verb meaning to go or drive. Fortzufahren is used when an infinitive clause introduced by zu is required, typically in subordinate clauses or after verbs that govern an infinitive.

Usage and nuances: Fortzufahren expresses continuing an activity, project, or process, often after a pause or interruption. It is somewhat more formal than everyday alternatives. The related verbs weiterfahren and fortsetzen have overlapping meanings but carry different nuances. Weiterfahren emphasizes continuing movement or travel, while Fortsetzen tends to denote resuming a plan or ongoing activity in a neutral or formal register. The choice among them depends on context and stylistic preference.

Grammatical notes: In main clauses with finite verbs, German normally uses fahren fort, as in Wir fahren fort. When expressing an infinitive clause with zu, one writes fortzufahren, as in Es ist notwendig, fortzufahren. After verbs like planen, beschließen, or versuchen, the construction is typically planenv, fortzufahren or: Sie beschlossen, das Projekt fortzufahren. Spelling is fortzufahren as one word in the infinitive with zu.

Examples:

- Es ist notwendig, fortzufahren.

- Wir planen, fortzufahren.

- Sie beschlossen, das Projekt fortzufahren.

- Nach der Unterbrechung beschlossen sie, fortzufahren.