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He suggested that tomorrow we find something to do together.

How to say this?

Er schlug vor, dass wir morgen finden, etwas zusammen zu tun.

or

Er schlug vor, dass wir morgen etwas zusammen zu tun finden.

1 Answer 1

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I would recommend using

"Er schlug vor, dass wir morgen etwas zusammen unternehmen (werden)."

or

"Er schlug vor, dass wir morgen etwas finden, was wir zusammen machen (können)."

This is not a 1:1 translation, but "unternehmen" can be used here as is does not have to be explicitely planned - e.g. "Lass uns etwas unternehmen" is used like "Let's do something".

If you want to have a 1:1 translation, it would be:

"Er schlug vor, dass wir morgen etwas finden, was wir zusammen machen."

Personally, i would not say it like that..

Edit: Integrated Alomvar's comment. Thank you Alomvar!

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    I think the problem with the 1:1 translation is the missing subjective mood (Konjunktiv), which makes it sound natural: "Er schlug vor, dass wir morgen etwas finden, was wir zusammen machen können." Even though I think subjective statements should not be used: I would say that.
    – p13n
    Commented Jan 28, 2014 at 7:57
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    I think that the first translation lacks the connotation that the "something we do together" must be found first. Your translation states that actually something will actually be done. Your second translation may not sound natural, but it contains the intended meaning. In addition, I'd suggest something like Er schlug vor morgen etwas zu finden, was wir zusammen machen können, which is also not quite 1:1. Commented Jan 28, 2014 at 10:24
  • @Thorsten Dittmar i get your point and you are right with the first one. But since it is announced as "not 1:1", i would not change it, as it is a more common use i think. please tell me if i disagree. Your last suggestion sounds a bit weird, i can't figure out why at the moment Commented Jan 28, 2014 at 11:11
  • Your second translation Er schlug vor, dass wir morgen etwas finden, was wir zusammen machen. is as literal as possible and conveys the same meaning (without any further context given). So I would call this pretty 1:1.
    – Toscho
    Commented Jan 28, 2014 at 18:30

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