German Phrase
Lass uns alle Möglichkeiten aufzählen.
Meaning
‘Let’s list all possibilities.’ The speaker proposes that the group together enumerate every option that exists, often as a step in planning or problem‑solving.
When to use
Use this phrase in meetings, brainstorming sessions, project kick‑offs, or any situation where a group needs to consider every option before deciding.
✦Grammar Breakdown
LassunsalleMöglichkeitenaufzählen
Lass (imperative of lassen)
Used to make a suggestion or invitation; it is followed by a pronoun and an infinitive with ‘zu’.
uns (dative pronoun)
Refers to ‘we/us’ and is required after ‘lassen’ in this construction.
alle (indefinite determiner)
Means ‘all’ and agrees in number with the plural noun that follows.
Möglichkeiten (plural noun)
‘Possibilities’ or ‘options’; takes the plural ending –en.
aufzählen (separable verb)
The prefix ‘auf‑’ separates in main clauses but stays attached to the infinitive after ‘zu’ (zu‑aufzählen).
zu‑aufzählen after lassen
When ‘lassen’ is used with an infinitive, the infinitive must be preceded by ‘zu’, even with separable verbs.
🗨In Conversation
Wir haben schon einige Ideen, aber wir könnten noch mehr übersehen.
We already have some ideas, but we might have missed more.
Lass uns alle Möglichkeiten aufzählen, damit nichts verloren geht.
Let's list all possibilities so nothing gets left out.
✕Common Mistakes
Lass uns alle Möglichkeiten zu aufzählen.
After ‘lassen’ you need only one ‘zu’; the correct form is ‘zu‑aufzählen’, not ‘zu aufzählen’.
Lassen wir alle Möglichkeiten aufzählen.
‘Lassen wir’ changes the meaning to ‘let them’ or ‘let us (others)’, not a suggestion to the speaker and listener.
Lass uns alle Möglichkeit aufzählen.
‘Möglichkeit’ must be plural here because ‘alle’ refers to many options.
↔Alternatives
Zählen wir alle Möglichkeiten auf.
We will list all possibilities.
Lass uns sämtliche Optionen durchgehen.
Let's go through every option.
Lassen Sie uns alle Optionen aufzählen.
Let us list all options. (formal)
Cultural Tip
German speakers often prefer direct, action‑oriented language in professional settings. Using ‘lassen’ + infinitive is a polite way to suggest a joint activity. In formal contexts replace ‘Lass uns’ with ‘Lassen Sie uns’. Also, remember that separable verb prefixes (like ‘auf‑’) move to the end of the infinitive after ‘zu’.