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What are Two-Case Prepositions? (Wechselpräpositionen)
Luckily, most prepositions are related to only one case - no matter the situation, they always require that case.
However, there are some so-called two-case prepositions (two-way or alternating prepositions) - they sometimes use dative and other times they use accusative, depending on the situation.
Here are the two-case prepositions: zwischen, auf, neben, vor, an, in, hinter, unter, über
Prepositions: Dative or Accusative?
Accusative: Question = Wohin?
The accusative is used when there is movement from point A to point B.
Dative: Question = Wo?
The dative is used when talking about one set location (no movement from A to B).
Examples
Related Topics:
Entire lesson in German only: Wechselpräpositionen
Here you will find an overview of all topics related to German Prepositions:
- Was sind Präpositionen? (What are Prepositions?)
- Temporal Präpositionen (Temporal Prepositions)
- Lokale Präpositionen (Local Prepositions)
- Präpositionen mit Artikeln (Prepositions with Articles)
- Zweiteilige Präpositionen (Two-Part Prepositions)
- Fragen mit Präpositionen (Questions with Prepositions)
- Präpositionen mit Akkusativ (Prepositions with Accusative)
- Präpositionen mit Dativ (Prepositions with Dative)
- Präpositionen mit Genitiv (Prepositions with Genitive)
- Verben mit Präpositionen (Verbs with Prepositions)
The Prepositions always determine the case. Therefore, you must be familiar with the deutschen Fällen (German cases):
You can find an overview of all topics under German Grammar.
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