In known converter circuits switching losses occur, which are caused by reverse-recovery currents of a freewheeling diode. To reduce said switching losses it is proposed by the invention to drive the switching elements such that, upon switching from the second to the first switching element, the timing is controlled in such a manner that the shoot through currents and the conduction of the freewheeling diode are kept at a low value or, better still, are precluded. As regards the control mechanism, it is proposed to turn on the first switching element later if shoot through currents occur, and to turn on the first switching element sooner if conduction of the freewheeling diode occurs. Here, a time of overlap may be provided during which both switching elements are simultaneously conducting. For the control mechanism, the voltage across a switching element can be used as a measured input value.