Prepositions with the Accusative Case in German

In German, prepositions are important for indicating relationships between objects, people, or places. When a preposition is used with the accusative case, it indicates the direct object of the sentence. In this guide, we will explore common prepositions that take the accusative case and learn how to use them correctly.

Understanding the Accusative Case

Before we dive into prepositions, let's briefly understand the accusative case. The accusative case is used to mark the direct object of a sentence. It answers the question "whom" or "what" receives the action of the verb.

In German, the following types of nouns and pronouns are marked by the accusative case:

• Definite and indefinite articles (der, die, das, ein, eine)
• Possessive pronouns (mein, dein, sein, ihr, unser, euer, Ihr, ihr)
• Demonstrative pronouns (dieser, jener, jeder)
• Personal pronouns (mich, dich, ihn, sie, es, uns, euch, sie, Sie)
• Interrogative pronouns (wen, was, welche, welchen)

Prepositions that Take the Accusative Case

Now, let's explore some commonly used prepositions that take the accusative case. It's important to note that the choice of preposition can change the meaning of a sentence. Here are the most common ones:

1. Durch - through

   • Ich gehe durch den Park. - I walk through the park.

2. Für - for

   • Er hat ein Geschenk für seinen Vater. - He has a gift for his father.

3. Gegen - against

   • Ich bin gegen den Plan. - I am against the plan.

4. Ohne - without

   • Sie geht ohne ihren Rucksack. - She goes without her backpack.

5. Um - around, at

   • Wir treffen uns um drei Uhr. - We meet at three o'clock.

6. Bis - until

   • Sie bleibt bis zum Abend. - She stays until evening.

7. Entlang - along

   • Wir spazieren entlang den Fluss. - We walk along the river.

8. Durch - through

   • Der Zug fährt durch die Stadt. - The train passes through the city.

9. Gegenüber - opposite

   • Das Café ist gegenüber den Schule. - The café is opposite the school.

10. Um...herum - around

    • Die Kinder laufen um den Baum herum. - The children run around the tree.

Tips for Using Prepositions with the Accusative Case

To ensure the correct usage of prepositions with the accusative case, keep the following tips in mind:

• Always use the accusative case when the preposition calls for it.
• Pay attention to the gender, number, and case of the noun or pronoun being used as the direct object.
• Remember that prepositions can change the meaning of a sentence, so choose the most appropriate one for your intended meaning.
• Practice using prepositions with the accusative case in different sentence structures to strengthen your understanding.

Conclusion

Learning how to use prepositions with the accusative case in German is an essential step in mastering the language. By understanding the accusative case and familiarizing yourself with common prepositions, you can confidently express relationships between objects, people, and places. Practice using these prepositions in context and gradually expand your vocabulary to become more fluent in German.