Learning German can be a fascinating journey, but it comes with its own set of challenges. One of these challenges is mastering the use of prepositions, especially those that require the accusative case. Understanding which prepositions to use and how to correctly apply the accusative case can significantly improve your German communication skills.
Understanding the Accusative Case
Before diving into prepositions, it’s essential to have a solid grasp of the accusative case itself. In German, the accusative case is primarily used for the direct object of a sentence—the noun that is directly receiving the action of the verb. For example, in the sentence “Ich sehe den Hund” (I see the dog), “den Hund” is the direct object and is in the accusative case.
The definite articles change as follows in the accusative case:
– Masculine: der -> den
– Feminine: die -> die
– Neuter: das -> das
– Plural: die -> die
The indefinite articles change as follows:
– Masculine: ein -> einen
– Feminine: eine -> eine
– Neuter: ein -> ein
– Plural: keine -> keine
Now that we have a basic understanding of the accusative case, let’s explore the prepositions that require it.
Prepositions That Require the Accusative Case
Some prepositions in German always require the accusative case. These prepositions are crucial to know because they set the case for the nouns that follow them. Here are some of the most common accusative prepositions:
Durch (through)
“Durch” means “through” and is always followed by the accusative case. For example:
– Wir gehen durch den Park. (We are walking through the park.)
– Der Vogel fliegt durch das Fenster. (The bird flies through the window.)
Für (for)
“Für” means “for” and is another preposition that always takes the accusative case. For example:
– Das Geschenk ist für meinen Bruder. (The gift is for my brother.)
– Ich habe eine Überraschung für dich. (I have a surprise for you.)
Gegen (against)
The preposition “gegen” means “against” and is followed by the accusative. For example:
– Er ist gegen den Plan. (He is against the plan.)
– Das Auto prallte gegen den Baum. (The car crashed against the tree.)
Ohne (without)
“Ohne” means “without” and also requires the accusative case. For example:
– Ich kann nicht ohne dich leben. (I cannot live without you.)
– Wir machen das ohne einen Plan. (We are doing this without a plan.)
Um (around, at [time])
“Um” can mean “around” or “at” when referring to time, and it always takes the accusative case. For example:
– Wir treffen uns um den Tisch. (We meet around the table.)
– Der Film beginnt um 20 Uhr. (The movie starts at 8 PM.)
Two-Way Prepositions
In addition to the prepositions that always take the accusative case, German also has a set of prepositions that can take either the accusative or the dative case, depending on the context. These are known as two-way prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen). When these prepositions describe a change of location or direction, they take the accusative case. Here are some common two-way prepositions:
An (on, at)
“An” can mean “on” or “at” and takes the accusative case when describing motion towards a destination. For example:
– Ich hänge das Bild an die Wand. (I am hanging the picture on the wall.)
– Sie geht an den Strand. (She is going to the beach.)
Auf (on, onto)
“Auf” means “on” or “onto” and takes the accusative when indicating motion. For example:
– Er legt das Buch auf den Tisch. (He puts the book on the table.)
– Die Katze springt auf das Sofa. (The cat jumps onto the sofa.)
Hinter (behind)
“Hinter” means “behind” and requires the accusative case when indicating a change of position. For example:
– Sie geht hinter das Haus. (She goes behind the house.)
– Er stellt sich hinter den Baum. (He stands behind the tree.)
In (in, into)
“In” can mean “in” or “into” and takes the accusative when indicating movement into a space. For example:
– Sie geht in die Stadt. (She goes into the city.)
– Er stellt das Glas in den Schrank. (He puts the glass in the cupboard.)
Neben (next to)
“Neben” means “next to” and takes the accusative when indicating movement. For example:
– Er stellt sich neben den Tisch. (He stands next to the table.)
– Sie setzt sich neben den Hund. (She sits next to the dog.)
Über (over, above)
“Über” means “over” or “above” and takes the accusative when indicating motion. For example:
– Er hängt die Lampe über den Tisch. (He hangs the lamp over the table.)
– Sie springt über den Zaun. (She jumps over the fence.)
Unter (under)
“Unter” means “under” and takes the accusative when indicating motion. For example:
– Er kriecht unter das Bett. (He crawls under the bed.)
– Sie stellt die Tasche unter den Tisch. (She puts the bag under the table.)
Vor (in front of)
“Vor” means “in front of” and takes the accusative when indicating motion. For example:
– Er stellt das Auto vor die Garage. (He parks the car in front of the garage.)
– Sie geht vor das Haus. (She walks in front of the house.)
Zwischen (between)
“Zwischen” means “between” and takes the accusative when indicating motion. For example:
– Er stellt sich zwischen die Stühle. (He stands between the chairs.)
– Sie geht zwischen die Bäume. (She walks between the trees.)
Accusative Case with Pronouns
Just like nouns, pronouns in German also change in the accusative case. Here’s a quick reference for personal pronouns in the nominative and their accusative forms:
– ich (I) -> mich (me)
– du (you, singular informal) -> dich (you)
– er (he) -> ihn (him)
– sie (she) -> sie (her)
– es (it) -> es (it)
– wir (we) -> uns (us)
– ihr (you, plural informal) -> euch (you)
– sie (they) -> sie (them)
– Sie (you, formal) -> Sie (you)
Here are some examples using accusative prepositions with pronouns:
– Ich gehe durch dich. (I go through you.)
– Das Geschenk ist für mich. (The gift is for me.)
– Sie sind gegen uns. (They are against us.)
Common Mistakes and Tips
When learning prepositions with the accusative case, students often make some common mistakes. Here are a few tips to help you avoid them:
Confusing Dative and Accusative
One common mistake is confusing when to use the dative case and when to use the accusative case with two-way prepositions. Remember, if the preposition is indicating movement or a change of location, it requires the accusative case. If it is indicating a static location, it requires the dative case.
Practicing with Sentences
Practice makes perfect. Try to create sentences using each preposition to reinforce your understanding. For example:
– Write five sentences using “durch.”
– Write five sentences using “für,” and so on.
Using Definite and Indefinite Articles
Pay close attention to the definite and indefinite articles in the accusative case. Make flashcards to help memorize the changes from nominative to accusative.
Listening and Speaking
Incorporate listening and speaking exercises into your study routine. Listen to native speakers and pay attention to how they use prepositions with the accusative case. Practice speaking with a language partner or tutor.
Conclusion
Understanding and correctly using prepositions with the accusative case in German is essential for clear and accurate communication. By mastering both the prepositions that always take the accusative case and the two-way prepositions, you will significantly improve your German language skills. Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to the context in which these prepositions are used. With time and effort, you will become more confident in your ability to navigate the complexities of German grammar. Happy learning!
