What are accusative prepositions in German?

Accusative prepositions are prepositions that always require the noun or pronoun following them to be in the accusative case. The most common accusative prepositions in German are: durch (through) für (for) gegen (against) ohne (without) um (around, at)

Understanding Accusative Prepositions in German: durch, für, gegen, ohne, um

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Welcome to the Learn Languages Store blog! In today’s lesson, we will explore an important topic in German grammar: accusative prepositions. Mastering these prepositions is essential for constructing clear and accurate sentences in German.

What Are Accusative Prepositions?

Accusative prepositions are prepositions that require the noun or pronoun that follows them to be in the accusative case. In German, this means that you will use specific articles and forms depending on the gender and number of the noun. The most common accusative prepositions are durch (through), für (for), gegen (against), ohne (without), and um (around).

Key Accusative Prepositions:

durch – through
für – for
gegen – against
ohne – without
um – around

Let’s look at some examples to illustrate how to use these accusative prepositions effectively in sentences.

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Example Sentences with Accusative Prepositions

1. durch (through)

Sentence: Wir gehen durch den Park.
Translation: We walk through the park.
Pronunciation: वीर गेहेन ड्यूर्च डेन पार्क।

2. für (for)

Sentence: Das Geschenk ist für dich.
Translation: The gift is for you.
Pronunciation: डास गेशेंक इस्ट फ्यूर डिच।

3. gegen (against)

Sentence: Er ist gegen die Idee.
Translation: He is against the idea.
Pronunciation: एर इस्ट गेगन दी आइडिया।

4. ohne (without)

Sentence: Ich kann ohne dich nicht leben.
Translation: I cannot live without you.
Pronunciation: इच कन्न ओहने डिच निच्ट लेबेन।

5. um (around)

Sentence: Wir treffen uns um 5 Uhr.
Translation: We meet at 5 o’clock.
Pronunciation: वीर ट्रेफेन उंस उम फ्यूनफ उर।

What are accusative prepositions in German?

Accusative prepositions are prepositions that always require the noun or pronoun following them to be in the accusative case. The most common accusative prepositions in German are:
durch (through)
für (for)
gegen (against)
ohne (without)
um (around, at)

How do accusative prepositions affect the articles and pronouns in a sentence?

When using accusative prepositions, the articles and pronouns in the sentence must be declined in the accusative case. Here’s how they change:
der → den (masculine)
die → die (feminine)
das → das (neuter)
die (plural) → die (plural)
Examples:
Ich gehe durch den Park. (I walk through the park.)
Das Geschenk ist für die Lehrerin. (The gift is for the teacher.)
Wir sind gegen das neue Gesetz. (We are against the new law.)

Can you provide examples of sentences using each of the accusative prepositions?

Certainly! Here are some examples for each preposition:
durch (through):Ich gehe durch den Tunnel. (I walk through the tunnel.)
Das Licht scheint durch das Fenster. (The light shines through the window.)
für (for):Dieses Geschenk ist für dich. (This gift is for you.)
Er arbeitet für eine große Firma. (He works for a big company.)
gegen (against):Wir spielen gegen die beste Mannschaft. (We are playing against the best team.)
Ich bin gegen diesen Vorschlag. (I am against this proposal.)
ohne (without):Er ging ohne seine Jacke hinaus. (He went out without his jacket.)
Ohne dich macht es keinen Spaß. (Without you, it’s no fun.)
um (around, at):Wir sitzen um den Tisch. (We sit around the table.)
Das Treffen ist um 3 Uhr. (The meeting is at 3 o’clock.)

What are some common mistakes when using accusative prepositions?

Some common mistakes include:
Using the wrong case: Remember that these prepositions always require the accusative case. It’s essential to change the articles or pronouns to reflect this.
Confusing similar prepositions: Be careful not to confuse these prepositions with others that might look or sound similar but require a different case (e.g., bei takes the dative case, not the accusative).
Overlooking preposition-specific meanings: Some prepositions can have different meanings in different contexts (e.g., um can mean “around” or “at” depending on usage).

How can I practice and master using accusative prepositions in German?

Here are some tips for mastering accusative prepositions:
Create practice sentences: Write out sentences using each accusative preposition to reinforce their usage and the correct case.
Use online exercises: Many language-learning platforms offer specific exercises focusing on prepositions and their cases.
Engage in conversation: Try using accusative prepositions in everyday conversations or practice dialogues.
Flashcards: Create flashcards with the prepositions on one side and example sentences or their meanings on the other.

Why Are Accusative Prepositions Important?

Understanding and correctly using accusative prepositions is crucial for constructing meaningful and grammatically accurate sentences in German. They help you express relationships between nouns and other elements in a sentence. By mastering these prepositions, you can enhance your fluency and clarity in the German language.

How Learn Languages Store Can Help You

If you’re eager to master the German language, including accusative prepositions and other grammatical concepts, consider enrolling in our A1 Level German Course at the Learn Languages Store. For just Rs. 16,300, you will receive comprehensive instruction designed to help you learn effectively.

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Understanding Accusative Prepositions in German: durch, für, gegen, ohne, um