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Two-way Prepositions (Dative or Accusative)
The prepositions in (in), an (at; attached to), auf (on top of), vor (in front of; before), hinter (behind), über (above, over), unter (under, beneath), neben (beside; next to) and zwischen (between) require either the accusative case or the dative case, depending on the situation. If a sentence describes an action that results in a change of location, the accusative is called for. If the action is stationary, the dative is called for. Examples:
- Sie wohnt in der Stadt. (She lives in the city.)
- Sie geht in die Stadt. (She is going into the city.)
- Er legt das Buch auf den Tisch. (He is putting the book on the table.)
- Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch. (The book is laying on the table.)
- Er hängt das Bild an die Wand. (He is hanging the picture on the wall.)
- Das Bild hängt an der Wand. (The picture is hanging on the wall.)
- Wir setzen uns zum Picknick unter einen Baum. (We are sitting down under a tree for our picnic.)
- Wir sitzen zum Picknick unter einem Baum. (We are sitting under a tree for our picnic.)
- Gehst du ins Restaurant? (Are you going to the restaurant?)
- Warst du im Kino? (Were you at the movie theatre? (US) or : Were you at the cinema? (UK) )
See also:
Dative
Accusative
Prepositions
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