German Topic

FAQ - Accusative Prepositions

Frequently asked questions: Accusative Prepositions in German.

Introduction

In the German language, prepositions can greatly influence the case of the nouns or pronouns that follow them. Among the four cases in German, the accusative case is often used to indicate the direct object of a sentence – that is, the receiver of the action. Accusative prepositions always cause the nouns or pronouns that follow them to take the accusative case. Understanding these prepositions is crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences and for proper communication.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which word best fits the sentence to mean 'onto'?

For example - "Sie legen das Buch auf den Tisch."

In this context, 'auf' is a German preposition that translates to 'on' or 'onto' in English. It is used to describe the position of something in relation to a surface or a place. 'Auf' is the only option that fits the sentence's context and works grammatically. Other options ('an', 'aus', und 'ein') don't fit the context or are grammatically incorrect.

Which preposition pairs with "fahren" to mean "to drive through"?

For example - "Er fährt durch die Stadt."

The correct preposition to use with "fahren" to convey the meaning of 'to drive through' is 'durch'. Therefore, the sentence 'Er fährt durch die Stadt' translates to 'He drives through the city'. The use of 'durch' is required to convey the action of moving through a location in German.

Which Preposition Pairs with "Kaufen"?

For example - "Ich kaufe ein Geschenk für meine Freundin"

The correct preposition to use with "kaufen" to convey the meaning of "to buy for" is "für", making the expression "kaufen für". The sentence "Ich kaufe ein Geschenk für meine Freundin" means "I am buying a gift for my girlfriend." The other prepositions cannot be used to express the act of buying something for someone. Remember: In German, prepositions can change the case of the noun that follows them. In the case of "kaufen für", the preposition "für" requires the noun to be in the accusative case.

Which preposition pairs with "sich bedanken"?

For example - "Sie bedankt sich für den Brief."

The verb "bedanken" is a reflexive verb in German, meaning it is used with a reflexive pronoun. In this case, "sich bedanken" is used to express the act of giving thanks. The correct preposition to use with "sich bedanken" for conveying the meaning of "to thank for" is "für". Therefore, the sentence "Sie bedankt sich für den Brief" translates to "She thanks [herself] for the letter," more naturally expressed in English as "She gives thanks for the letter" or "She is thankful for the letter." The use of "für" is crucial in this context to indicate what the person is thanking for.

Which Preposition Pairs with "Schreiben"?

For example - "Sie schreibt einen Brief an ihren Freund."

The correct preposition to use with "schreiben" to convey the meaning of "to write to" is "an", forming the phrase "schreiben an". The sentence "Sie schreibt einen Brief an ihren Freund" translates to "She is writing a letter to her friend." The other prepositions are not used to express the act of writing to someone.

Which Preposition Pairs with "Kämpfen"?

For example - "Er kämpft um seine Rechte."

The correct preposition to use with "kämpfen" to convey the meaning of "to fight for" is "um", making the expression "kämpfen um". The sentence "Er kämpft um seine Rechte" means "He is fighting for his rights." The other prepositions are not suitable to express the act of fighting for something. An alternative that also works is "für" - "Er kämpft für seine Rechte".

What preposition pairs with 'sich interessieren'?

For example - "Sie interessiert sich für Kunst."

The correct preposition to use with "sich interessieren" to convey the meaning of "to be interested in" is "für", forming the phrase "sich interessieren für". The sentence "Sie interessiert sich für Kunst" translates to "She is interested in art." The other prepositions are not used to express the concept of being interested in something or someone.

What preposition pairs with 'laufen'?

For example - "Er läuft durch den Park"

The correct preposition to use with 'laufen' to convey the meaning of 'to run through' is 'durch', forming the phrase 'laufen durch'. The sentence 'Er läuft durch den Park' translates to 'He is running through the park.' The other prepositions are not used to express the concept of running through a place. Fun Fact: 'Laufen durch' requires the accusative case, as it typically involves a direct object – the place being run through.

Which Preposition Pairs with "Warten"?

For example - "Peter hat auf seine Freundin gewartet."

The correct preposition to use with "warten" to convey the meaning of "to wait for" is "auf", making the expression "warten auf". The sentence "Peter hat auf seine Freundin gewartet" means "Peter waited for his girlfriend." The other prepositions cannot be used to express the act of waiting for someone. Did you know? Prepositions in German can change the case of the noun that follows them. In the case of "warten auf", the preposition "auf" requires the noun to be in the accusative case.

Which preposition pairs with "sich freuen"?

For example - "Ich freue mich über mein Geburtstagsgeschenk"

The correct preposition to use with "sich freuen" to convey the meaning of "to be happy about" is "über", making the expression "sich freuen über". The sentence "Ich freue mich über mein Geburtstagsgeschenk" means "I am happy about my birthday gift.".

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