PrepositionsA2
Akkusativpräpositionen
Prepositions that always require the accusative case
Learning Goal
Can use accusative prepositions für, durch, gegen, ohne
Exam Skills:ReadingWritingSpeaking
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Wir gehen durch den Park.
We walk through the park.
Das Geschenk ist für meinen Vater.
The gift is for my father.
Sie kommt ohne ihren Mann.
She comes without her husband.
Er läuft gegen den Wind.
He runs against the wind.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Certain prepositions always require accusative. Mnemonic DOGFU: durch, ohne, gegen, für, um.
| Präposition | Bedeutung | Beispiel |
|---|---|---|
| durch | through | durch den Park |
| ohne | without | ohne einen Fehler |
| gegen | against, around (time) | gegen den Wind |
| für | for | für meine Mutter |
| um | around, at (time) | um den Tisch |
Um has two uses: spatial (around) with accusative, and temporal (at a time) without article: um 8 Uhr. Ohne usually appears without an article: ohne Auto.
Apply this grammar in A2 course exercises
Practice Exercises
- Dative after für: ✗ für dem Kind → ✓ für das Kind.
- Articles after ohne: ohne Grund is more natural.
- Confusing um: um 8 Uhr (no article) vs. um den Tisch (accusative).
Common Error Patterns
Incorrect number word form or usage
Review number patterns and exceptions (eins as standalone vs ein before nouns)
Wrong time expression format
Review formal (14:30 Uhr) vs informal (halb drei) time expressions
Incorrect spelling based on pronunciation rules
Review German spelling conventions: ie=[iː], ei=[aɪ], ß after long vowels, ss after short vowels
Wir gehen durch den Park.
We walk through the park.
Durch + acc: der Park → den Park.
Das Geschenk ist für meinen Vater.
The gift is for my father.
Für + acc: mein Vater → meinen Vater.
Sie kommt ohne ihren Mann.
She comes without her husband.
Ohne + acc: ihr Mann → ihren Mann.
Er läuft gegen den Wind.
He runs against the wind.
Gegen + acc: der Wind → den Wind.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A2 course exercises
Frequently asked questions
- When is Akkusativpräpositionen used?
- Certain prepositions always require accusative. Mnemonic DOGFU : durch, ohne, gegen, für, um .
- How is Akkusativpräpositionen formed?
- Um has two uses: spatial (around) with accusative, and temporal (at a time) without article: um 8 Uhr . Ohne usually appears without an article: ohne Auto .
- What are common mistakes with Akkusativpräpositionen?
- Dative after für: ✗ für dem Kind → ✓ für das Kind . Articles after ohne: ohne Grund is more natural. Confusing um: um 8 Uhr (no article) vs. um den Tisch (accusative).