Practice On-line German » accusative case

German Preposition: ‘fuer’

heza — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:22:00 +0000

The German preposition, fuer always takes the accusative
case. So no worries. Depending on the article of the object the
possibilities are (1) for masculine article: fuer den (2) for feminine: fuer die (3) for neutral: fuer das.

Most of the time, the use of fuer is very similar to the English use of for. Other than that, for special phrases you will have to memorize the use of fuer.

Here are a few examples: (More specialty sentences will be added as I find them)

Das Kind ist fuer sein Alter schon ziemlich gross.
Woche fuer Woche kamen Briefe.

German Preposition: ‘in’

heza — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:14:00 +0000

Simplified, the meaning of the German ‘in’ preposition changes according to the case.
In the dative case, which asks the question where? or in German, wo? and pertains to a space. The English equivalent would be: at or also in. Depending on the article of the object the possibilities are (1) for masculine and neutral articles: in dem or the short form, im (2) for feminine: in der.

In the accusative case, which asks the question where to? or wohin? and
refers to a change or movement of the object. The English equivalent
would be: into or simply in. Depending on the article of the object the possibilities are (1) for masculine article: in den (2) for feminine: in die (3) for neutral: in das or short form ins.

Of course, the German preposition ‘in’ can also be
associated with non-concrete or abstract ideas, such as a bracket of
time or a goal. The English and German equivalent would be within or innerhalb, respectively.

Here are a few common examples:

Tausende von Menschen stroemten ins Eisstadion. -[akk. movement of people]
Der Ball flog mitten in die Zuschauer. – [akk. movement of ball]
Wir waren in allen Punkten einer Meinung.
Treffen wir uns in einer halben Stunde vor dem Kino! – [dat. at a point in time]
Von Kindheit an mussten sie im elterlichen Geschaeft mithelfen. – [dat. in a trade]
Wer wohnt in dem Neubau an der Ecke? [dat.]
Herr Baur ist schon seit langem in Pension.
Lassen Sie den Prospekt ins Franzoesische uebersetzen? [akk. - a change from one language to another]

German Preposition: ‘gegen’

heza — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 13:21:00 +0000

The German preposition, gegen always takes the accusative case. Depending on the article of the object the possibilities are (1) for masculine article: gegen den (2) for feminine: gegen die (3) for neutral: gegen das.

Most of the time, the use of gegen is very similar to the English use of towards and against.
Other meanings include, versus in terms of law; compared with; in terms
or money, Other than that, for special phrases you will have to
memorize the use of mit.

Here are a few examples: (More specialty sentences will be added as I find them)

Man hatte keinen Schluessel und musste das Tor mit Gewalt oeffnen.
Gammastrahlen bewegen sich mit Lichtgeschwindigkeit.
Bereits mit acht Jahren verfasste sie Gedichte.

Die genaue Zeit des Anrufs kann ich Ihnen nicht sagen, glaube aber, es war gegen Mitternacht.
Haben Sie was gegen Kopfweh?