Prepositions with Accusative (für, um, durch, ohne, gegen)

📌 Grammatiknotiz

These five prepositions – für, um, durch, ohne, gegen – always require the noun or pronoun following them to be in the accusative case. They are sometimes called 'pure accusative prepositions' because they never take the dative case. It's crucial to remember the accusative forms of articles and pronouns when using them.

📌 Grammatiknotiz

When using accusative prepositions, you must ensure the following noun's article or pronoun is in the accusative case. Remember that only masculine nouns change their definite article from 'der' to 'den' and indefinite from 'ein' to 'einen' in the accusative. Feminine, neuter, and plural forms remain the same as in the nominative.

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The preposition 'für' is used to express a purpose, a beneficiary, or to indicate that something is 'in favor of' someone or something. It answers questions like 'Wofür?' (For what?) or 'Für wen?' (For whom?). This is its most common usage at A1 level.

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When 'für' is used with a period of time, it indicates the duration for which something happens or is valid. It answers the question 'Wie lange?' (How long?). This usage implies a completed or defined period, often in the future or a specific past duration.

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The preposition 'um' is used to describe movement or position 'around' something. It indicates encircling or surrounding. This can be a physical movement or a static position relative to an object.

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When 'um' is used with time, it specifically refers to a precise clock time, meaning 'at' a certain hour. It answers the question 'Um wie viel Uhr?' (At what time?). This is a very common and important usage for daily communication.

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The preposition 'durch' indicates movement from one side to another, passing 'through' an opening, an area, or a medium. It suggests penetration or traversing. It answers the question 'Woher?' (From where?) or 'Wohin?' (To where?) in a spatial sense.

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Beyond its spatial meaning, 'durch' can also indicate the means or cause by which something happens, similar to 'by' or 'through' in English. It answers the question 'Wodurch?' (By what means?). This usage is slightly more abstract but still common at A1.

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The preposition 'ohne' expresses the absence or lack of something or someone. It directly translates to 'without'. It is straightforward and always takes the accusative case. It answers the question 'Ohne wen/was?' (Without whom/what?).

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The preposition 'gegen' is used to express opposition, resistance, or a counter-direction. It can mean 'against' in terms of disagreement, competition, or a physical force acting in opposition. It answers 'Gegen wen/was?' (Against whom/what?).

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When used with time, 'gegen' indicates an approximate time, similar to 'around' or 'towards' a certain hour. It suggests that the exact time is not known or not important. This is different from 'um' which specifies an exact time.

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This usage of 'gegen' describes physical contact or collision with an object. It implies bumping into, leaning against, or hitting something. It emphasizes the impact or direct contact.

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'Für' (accusative) indicates the total duration of an event ('for two hours'). 'Seit' (dative) indicates the starting point of an ongoing event ('since two hours ago'). Both relate to time, but answer different questions: 'für' answers 'Wie lange?', 'seit' answers 'Seit wann?'.

📌 Grammatiknotiz

'Um' (accusative) is used exclusively for specific clock times ('um 10 Uhr'). 'Am' (an + dem, dative) is used for days of the week, parts of the day (except Nacht), and specific dates ('am Montag', 'am Morgen', 'am 1. Mai'). This distinction is crucial for expressing time correctly.

📌 Grammatiknotiz

'Durch' (accusative) implies passing through something, from one side to another. 'In' (a two-way preposition) can take accusative for movement into something ('in den Park gehen') or dative for being inside something ('im Park sein'). The key difference is the emphasis on traversing with 'durch' versus entering/being within with 'in'.

📌 Grammatiknotiz

This card summarizes the five core accusative prepositions: für, um, durch, ohne, gegen. Always remember that any noun or pronoun directly following these prepositions must be in the accusative case. Mastering these prepositions is fundamental for A1 German.