Clauses of reason are formed not only by conjunctions but also by prepositions. In today's article we will learn about prepositions of reason in German. 

1. WEGEN

- The most commonly used preposition is „wegen“.

- When a noun with an article or an accompanying adjective is combined with wegen, the noun is usually in the Genitiv. Conversely, a plural noun without an article or accompanying adjective is usually in the Dativ when combined with wegen. 

wegen + Genitiv: Wegen der Regenfälle fährt niemand mit dem Fahrrad. 

(Because it is raining, nobody rides a bicycle.)

wegen + Dativ: Wegen Regenfällen fährt niemand mit dem Fahrrad.

(Nobody rides a bicycle because of the rain.)

2. AUFGRUND

- The preposition „aufgrund“ expresses a reason and has a similar meaning to „wegen“, so they can be used interchangeably. For example: 

Aufgrund seiner guten Computerkenntnisse fand er sofort einen Job.

= Wegen seiner guten Computerkenntnisse fand er sofort einen Job.

(Thanks to his good computer skills, he found a job immediately.)

!!! However, aufgrund is used more often in administrative language. 

3. AUS - VOR

- The prepositions „aus“ und „vor“ stand before a noun expressing an emotion, a quality or an attitude. 

- The nouns combined with „aus“ and „vor“ usually have no article. 

Example:

Er schlug vor Wut mit der Faust auf den Tisch.  

(He banged his fist on the table in anger.)

→ „vor“ is for unintentional or unconscious actions/reactions

Aus Verantwortungsgefühl verzichtete er auch in der Krise auf Kündigungen.

(Out of a sense of responsibility, he did not lay off employees even during the crisis.)

→ „aus“ is usually used for conscious actions

4. DANK

- The preposition „dank“ is only used with something positive. If „dank“ is used with something negative, it expresses irony or mockery. 

Example:

Dank seiner Aufmerksamkeit konnte der Fehler rechtzeitig entdeckt werden. 

(Thanks to his attentiveness, the error could be discovered in time.)

Dank seiner unendlich Vorbereitung endete die Produktpräsentation im Chaos. 

(Thanks to his endless preparation, the product presentation ended in chaos.) → Irony

!!! Dank can be combined with a singular noun in the Dativ or Genitiv. With plural nouns, it is mostly Genitiv.