Accusative prepositions in German: Master german preposition für, um, gegen, durch, ohne, bis

Introduction to German Accusative Prepositions

Mastering German grammar involves understanding the cases, and accusative prepositions are among the essential building blocks. These prepositions help define relationships, movement, and direction, forming the backbone of clear and accurate communication in German. 

In this article, you'll find a comprehensive guide to German accusative prepositions, complete with explanations and examples to help you use them easily. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your grammar, understanding them will deepen your knowledge and enhance your fluency in German.

The Role of Prepositions in German Grammar

Prepositions are little words and placed in front of nouns or pronouns. Prepositions in German, much like in English, play a vital role in explaining the relationship between different parts of a sentence. They help to provide context, indicate direction, time, and many other aspects that are essential for conveying meaning accurately.

What Are Accusative Prepositions in German?

In German, accusative prepositions always require the noun or pronoun they refer to be in the accusative case. These prepositions determine the grammatical structure of sentences. 

Since German cases can be tricky to grasp, focusing on learning the dative and accusative prepositions first helps minimize errors. By mastering them, you’ll have a better understanding of how to correctly apply cases in everyday conversation.

Accusative Prepositions List with Examples 

Overview of German Accusative Prepositions

The primary accusative prepositions in German include "für" (for),"um" (around),"gegen" (against),"durch" (through),"bis" (until, to),and "ohne" (without). Each of these prepositions has specific uses and connotations, making them indispensable in everyday German communication.

Für

"Für" is one of the most commonly used accusative prepositions in German. It's typically used to express a benefit or a purpose, similar to the English preposition “for”.

Examples: 

• Ich habe ein Geschenk für dich.  I have a present for you.
• Ich freue mich für dich. I am happy for you.
• Das ist für den Garten. That’s for the garden. 
• Der Übersetzer übersetzt den Brief für sie. The translator translates the letter for her.

Um

"Um" is another crucial accusative preposition, often used to indicate a time frame or that you are moving around something. Its correct usage can be a bit tricky. 

Examples: 

• Ich komme um 17 Uhr. I'll be there at 5 pm.
• Wir gehen um den See. We walk around the lake.

The first example is referring to time. 

Gegen 

"Gegen" is a versatile preposition used to express opposition, contrast, or a physical direction towards something. 

Examples: 

• Er trat kraftvoll gegen den Ball. He kicked the ball powerfully.
• Sie lehnt sich gegen die Wand. She leans against the wall.

Durch

"Durch" is typically used to indicate movement through a space or medium. This preposition is vital for describing actions and navigations in everyday conversations and writings in German.

Examples: 

• Das Licht scheint durch das Glas. The light shines through the glass.
• Der Erfolg kam durch harte Arbeit. Success came through hard work.
• Du wirst auch durch den Park gehen. You'll also walk through the park

Ohne

"Ohne" plays a unique role in German sentences, often used in negative contexts to mean “without” e.g — Der Angestellte geht ohne den Kollegen etwas essen. The employee goes out to eat without the colleague.

Examples: 

• Sie reisten ohne Gepäck. They traveled without luggage.
• Der Gerät wird ohne Gewährleistung verkauft. The device is sold without warranty.

Bis

"Bis" is a versatile preposition and conjunction in the German language, often translating to "until" or "by" in English. Its usage spans various contexts, from indicating time frames to specifying limits or destinations. 

One of the primary uses of "bis" is to denote the endpoint of a time period. It sets a boundary up to which an action or state is relevant. Although less common than its temporal use, "bis" can also indicate a physical limit or destination. 

Examples: 

• Der Pfad führt uns bis an den Rand des Waldes. The path leads us to the edge of the forest.
• Sie studiert jeden Tag bis in die späten Abendstunden. She studies every day until late in the evening.

Practical Tips to Master German Prepositions

Mastering German grammar, especially prepositions can be challenging. It makes sense to focus at the beginning on learning all accusative, dative and two-way prepositions. After this you can practice genitive prepositions, which are more difficult and less important. 

Challenges in Learning German Prepositions for English Speakers

A new language can be a challenge for everyone, also for English native speakers. English speakers often face specific challenges when learning German prepositions. 

There are some parallels between German and English prepositions, however in German prepositions can have an impact on the case and some verbs are used with other prepositions than in English which makes selecting the correct preposition essential e.g 

• to be interested in - sich interessieren für

Expanding Your German Skills Beyond Prepositions

While prepositions are a fundamental aspect, expanding your skills to other areas of grammar and vocabulary is essential. Remember that it’s  a long way to go before you are anywhere near the level of a native speaker. Some of the most essential Grammar topics are: Word order, articles in German, Cases and Adjective declension. Make sure to focus on these topics. 

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

• German accusative prepositions are crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences.
• Understanding the difference between the accusative case and dative cases is essential.
• Regular practice is key to mastering German prepositions.

Test Your Knowledge: German Accusative Prepositions Quizzes

Ready to master German accusative prepositions? Take our free quiz now and test your understanding. Improve your skills with instant feedback and see how much you've learned: Quiz 1. Dative Vs Accusative Prepositions Quiz: here. 

FAQ:

What are accusative prepositions? 

These are prepositions that always come with the accusative case:

• Für, um, gegen, durch, ohne, bis

How does this topic relate to the cases in German?

• Learning prepositions has an influence on which case you need, which is why they are so important

What are Dative prepositions? 

These prepositions always come with the dative case: mit ,bei, von, seit, zu, außer, nach, gegenüber, aus, ab. You can read more about them in detail:here

Do genitive prepositions play the same role? 

• No, the genitive case and genitive prepositions are less important for the spoken language, but they are still important for the written language. 

What are two-way prepositions?

• Either the accusative or dative are needed for certain prepositions also known as two-way prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen). You can read more about this: here.

Can a preposition have an impact on the adjective ending?

• There is a relation between the ending of an adjective in German and the prepositions. You can read more about German adjectives : here.