One of the most important points in German grammar is that are not just “ normal verbs”, like e.g. heißen, wohnen or kaufen but also verbs that require a certain preposition after it.
There three different categories to distinguish:
One of the most important points in German grammar is that are not just “ normal verbs”, like e.g. heißen, wohnen or kaufen but also verbs that require a certain preposition after it.
There three different categories to distinguish:
- Prepositions that requires an accusative noun:
for example: durch, bis, für, ohne, entlang, gegen, um
- Prepositions that requires a dative noun:
for example: bei, mit, seit, aus, zu, nach, von
- Prepositions that requires either an accusative or dative noun (Wechselpräpositionen)
for example: hinter, an, neben, auf, unter, zwischen, vor, in, über.
In this last category there are two questions to put, in order to know if you have to choose the accusative or the dative.
If the verbs indicates a direction or movement and answers to the question Wohin? (Where to?) the verb requires the accusative.
Accusative: Ich gehe in die Schule. (I go to school).
If the verb indicates a fix position or a location that is not changing, you have to use the dative. The question is Wo? (Where?).
Dative: Ich bin in der Schule. (I am at school).