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Ever get confused about German grammar and wonder whether to use “durch” or “für”? You’re not alone. German accusative prepositions can seem like a puzzle at first, but with the right approach they can become your best friends in mastering the German language. Let’s crack the code together.
Introduction
German grammar is a challenge for many learners but mastering it is the key to fluent speaking. Among the complexities are German accusative prepositions, a grammatical concept that makes sentence building easier. If you’re on the way to fluency, understanding and mastering these prepositions is a must. In this post we’ll go through their meaning, usage, common mistakes and give you tips and tricks to remember them easily.
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What Are German Accusative Prepositions?
1: How do you say "Good Morning" in German?
Think of accusative prepositions as the “action heroes” of German grammar. These special words always trigger the accusative case and mean something is being directly affected by an action. Unlike their dative cousins, accusative prepositions usually show movement, direction or a direct relationship between elements in a sentence.
Here are the most common German accusative prepositions:
- durch (through)
- für (for)
- gegen (against)
- ohne (without)
- um (around)
- bis (until)
- entlang (along)
German Accusative Prepositions with Examples
Let’s put these prepositions into practice with examples you’ll hear in everyday German conversations:
Durch (through)
- Ich gehe durch den Park. (I’m walking through the park.)
- Die Sonne scheint durch das Fenster. (The sun shines through the window.)
Für (for)
- Das Geschenk ist für meinen Bruder. (The gift is for my brother.)
- Ich arbeite für eine deutsche Firma. (I work for a German company.)
Gegen (against)
- Der Ball fliegt gegen die Wand. (The ball flies against the wall.)
- Wir spielen gegen die andere Mannschaft. (We’re playing against the other team.)
Ohne (without)
- Ich trinke Kaffee ohne Zucker. (I drink coffee without sugar.)
- Er geht ohne seinen Hund spazieren. (He goes for a walk without his dog.)
How to Use German Accusative Prepositions Correctly
Follow these three simple rules to use accusative prepositions like a native:
Identify the Direct Object Remember that accusative prepositions affect the noun that follows them. This noun is your direct object and needs to change its article accordingly:
- der → den
- die → die
- das → das
- die (plural) → die
Look for Movement or Direction Accusative prepositions often indicate physical or metaphorical movement:
- Ich laufe um den See. (I run around the lake.)
- Sie kämpft für ihre Rechte. (She fights for her rights.)
Check for Time References Some accusative prepositions, like “bis,” indicate time:
- Ich arbeite bis sechs Uhr. (I work until six o’clock.)
German Accusative Prepositions Exercises
Practice makes perfect! Try these exercises:
Fill in the blanks:
- Ich gehe __ (through) __ Tür. (the door)
- Das Buch ist __ (for) __ Student. (the student)
Translation Practice:
- “I’m walking around the house.”
- “She fights against injustice.”
- “We can’t live without water.”
German Accusative Prepositions Mnemonics
Remember these accusative prepositions with our handy mnemonic:
“DOGS PREFER FOOD”
- Durch
- Ohne
- Gegen
- Seit (although temporal)
- Per
- Rund um
- Für
- Ohne
- Ober (über)
- Down (entlang)
Tips to remember German Accusative Prepositions
- Soak up:
Watch German movies or read German books and pay attention to how prepositions are used. - Use language apps:
Apps like Entri can help with grammar through structured lessons and quizzes. - Practice speaking:
Incorporate accusative prepositions into your daily conversations. This will help with practical usage and confidence. - Join a structured course:
Entri’s German course covers grammar in-depth including accusative prepositions making your learning journey easy and fun.
Common Mistakes with German Accusative Prepositions
Don’t make these mistakes:
- Mixing Up Cases ❌ Ich gehe durch dem Park. ✅ Ich gehe durch den Park.
- Forgetting Article Changes ❌ Ich kämpfe gegen der Drache. ✅ Ich gehe gegen den Drachen.
- Wrong Prepositions ❌ Ich warte für dich. ✅ Ich warte auf dich.
- Too many prepositions: Using multiple prepositions can confuse the sentence meaning. Stick to the one required.
- Ignoring exceptions: Some verbs require specific prepositions. Memorise them to avoid mistakes.
Advanced German Accusative Prepositions
Take it to the next level:
Context is Key Understanding the context helps you choose the right preposition:
- durch for movement through something
- für for benefit or duration
- gegen for opposition or time reference
Practice with Motion Verbs Combine accusative prepositions with motion verbs for German sounding:
- laufen (to run)
- gehen (to go)
- fahren (to drive)
Learn Fixed Expressions Some verb + accusative preposition combinations are idiomatic:
- sich für etwas interessieren (to be interested in something)
- gegen etwas sein (to be against something)
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Conclusion
German accusative prepositions are your key to more natural and fluent German. Remember, these prepositions are your friends to create clear and precise sentences about movement, direction and relationships. Practice with our exercises, use the mnemonics and soon you’ll be using accusative prepositions like a native speaker.
Ready to level up your German? Start using these prepositions in your daily German practice and watch your language skills grow.
Viel Erfolg!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many German profile levels do I need to complete in order to get a job?
Proficiency in either Level B1 or B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required, depending on the federal state where you intend to work.
What are German accusative prepositions?
German accusative prepositions are specific prepositions that require the following noun or pronoun to be in the accusative case.
Can you list some common German accusative prepositions?
Common accusative prepositions include durch, für, gegen, ohne, and um.
How do I change articles in the accusative case?
In the accusative case, “der” becomes “den,” while “die” (feminine), “das” (neuter), and “die” (plural) remain the same.
What are the accusative forms of German pronouns?
The accusative forms include: ich (I) becomes mich (me), du (you) becomes dich (you), er (he) becomes ihn (him), and sie (she) becomes sie (her).
How do I practice using German accusative prepositions?
You can practice through fill-in-the-blank exercises, translations, and identifying mistakes in sentences.
What are some tips for remembering German accusative prepositions?
Using mnemonics can help. For example, “Dogs Fight Greatly Over Unclaimed bones” can help you remember durch, für, gegen, ohne, um.
What common mistakes should I avoid with accusative prepositions?
Avoid incorrect case usage, mixing prepositions that govern different cases, and neglecting to change pronouns.
How can I tell if a preposition is accusative?
Typically, if a preposition is followed by a noun or pronoun that changes to the accusative case, it is accusative.
Are there resources for practicing German prepositions?
Yes, many online platforms, textbooks, and language apps offer exercises and quizzes for practicing prepositions. Check out entri’s german course to try it in your own language.
