An Auf Hinter in Neben Über Unter Vor Zwischen
An Auf Hinter in Neben Über Unter Vor Zwischen
These prepositions take either the accusative or the the dative case.
1. Use accusative if there is a significant change of location/position. In other words, if the action has
moved from one place to a different place, or a specific "border" has been crossed.
2. Use dative if the former does not occur, i.e. if the action is occurring in a confined, defined space.
Additional notes:
1. an and auf
an describes an area "leaning against and touching" or "by or at" the point of reference, e.g.:
Sie sitzen an dem Tisch. They are sitting "up against" or "at" the
table.
auf describes an area "on top of" the point of reference, e.g.:
Sie sitzen auf dem Tisch. They are sitting on top of the table.
2. Some prepositions may have meanings beyond their "locational" ones, e.g.
Sie studiert an der Universität von She studies at the University of
Wisconsin. Wisconsin.
3. Wo and Wohin
Wo means simply "where" -- a static location that is not in motion. Wohin means "to where"
-- into which location is the object moving. When using a motion verb (and therefore using
the accusative with the two-way prepositions), you must use "wohin" rather than the
stationary "wo".
Wo bist du? Where are you?
Wohin gehst du? Where are you going?
Exercises:
B. Fill in the blanks with the prepositions + nouns in the proper case. Remember to check whether the verb
indicates motion or not! (Remember that ‘wo’ (location) vs. ‘wohin’ (motion) provides a big clue!)
1. Wo sitzt Großmutter? ___________________________________ (at the table)
2. Wohin geht die Dame? ___________________________________ (up to the window)
3. Wo ist mein Mantel? ___________________________________ (on top of the bed)
4. Wohin laufen die Kinder? ___________________________________ (onto the football field)
5. Wo ist der Regenschirm? ___________________________________ (behind the door)
6. Wohin läuft der Hund? ___________________________________ (behind the sofa)
7. Wo wohnt deine Mutter? ___________________________________ (in this city)
8. Wohin fährt Onkel Thomas? ___________________________________ (into the city)
9. Wo findet man die Bäckerei? ___________________________________ (next to the supermarket)
10. Wohin wirfst du die Zeitung? ___________________________________ (next to the chair)
11. Wo hängt die Lampe? ___________________________________ (above the dresser)
12. Wohin willst du gehen? ___________________________________ (across the street)
13. Wo schläft die Katze? ___________________________________ (under the window)
14. Wohin soll ich meine Schuhe ___________________________________ (under the bed)
setzen?
15. Wo steht die Lehrerin? ___________________________________ (in front of the table)
16. Wohin geht der Student? ___________________________________ (to the front of the class)
17. Wo sitzt meine Tante? ___________________________________ (between my brothers)
18. Wohin bringe ich das Sofa? ___________________________________ (between the chairs)
C. Describe the picture below using two-way prepositions. First fill in the sample sentences, then write at least
two of your own.
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