German Grammar A–Z
Look up German grammar topics A–Z, organized by category and level — with clear explanations and examples.
Prepositions and Their Classification
Prepositions are an important but equally complex topic, which often causes difficulties for learners of German. So what is a preposition and what types of prepositions are there? In today's article we will learn about prepositions and how they are classified.
Let's get started!!!
1. What is a preposition?
- Prepositions can be used to express the relationship between two objects, events or other contexts. Prepositions stand before the noun (with article and/or adjective) that they refer to. Example:
Die Lampe steht auf dem Tisch. (The lamp is on the table.)
2. Common types of prepositions
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Prepositions of place (Lokale Präpositionen) answer the questions WO, WOHIN, WOHER
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Akkusativ |
Dativ |
Genitiv |
Akkusativ + Dativ (Wechselpräposition) |
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Prepositions of time (Temporale Präpositionen) answer the questions WANN, WIE LANGE
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Akkusativ |
Dativ |
Genitiv |
Special |
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Prepositions of cause (Kausale Präpositionen) answer the questions WARUM, WIESO, WESHALB
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Dativ |
Genitiv |
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Prepositions of manner (Modale Präpositionen) answer the questions WIE, WODURCH, WOMIT, WORAUS
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Akkusativ |
Dativ |
Genitiv |
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Prepositions of purpose (Finale Präpositionen) answer the questions WOZU, WOFÜR
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Akkusativ |
Dativ |
Genitiv |
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Prepositions of concession (Konzessive Präpositionen)
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Dativ |
Genitiv |
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Prepositions of substitution (Alternative Präpositionen)
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Genitiv |
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