Which cases do I use with prepositions?

1) These prepositions take the dative case:

aus, außer, bei, mit, nach, seit, von, zu, gegenüber

2) These prepositions take the accusative case:

bis, durch, entlang, für, gegen, ohne, um, wider

3) These prepositions take either the dative or the accusative case depending on the context:

an, auf, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor, zwischen

As a general rule, use the accusative case if movement is involved and the dative case if there is no movement.

For example:

a) der Mann geht über die Brücke (The man is going over the bridge)

Movement involved = accusative case

b) die Katze ist unter dem Tisch (The cat is under the table)

No movement involved = dative case

4) Some verbs contain a preposition and take a specific case.  See this website for examples of verbs with prepositions:

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/German/Grammar/Prepositions_and_Postpositions

LW
Answered by Lucy W. German tutor

3016 Views

See similar German A Level tutors

Related German A Level answers

All answers ▸

Using an example, explain what a subordinating conjunction is and what effect it has on the sentence it's used in


Ist Recycling der einige Weg, indem wir die Umweltverschmutzung aufhalten können?


Why do we use the dative case?


Translate the following: 'If scientists had enough money they would soon discover new solutions.'


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences