für/durch/gegen/ohne/um

Accusative Prepositions

Level 1

The core accusative prepositions are bis (until), durch (through), für (for), gegen (against/around), ohne (without), and um (around/at). They are unique because they never take any case other than the accusative.

How It Works

These prepositions are essential for daily communication. Here is how they function:

  • bis (until/as far as): Used for time or spatial limits (bis nächsten Montag).
  • durch (through/by): Used for spatial movement (durch den Tunnel) or means (durch einen Zufall).
  • für (for): Indicates a beneficiary (für dich) or a price.
  • gegen (against/around): Used for physical contact (gegen die Wand) or approximate time (gegen 8 Uhr).
  • ohne (without): Indicates the absence of something (ohne meinen Hund).
  • um (around/at): Used for physical encircling (um das Haus) or exact clock time (um 8 Uhr).

Note on 'entlang': The word entlang (along) also takes the accusative, but only when it is placed after the noun (e.g., den Fluss entlang).

Contractions:
In natural speech, some merge with the neuter article das:

  • durch + das = durchs
  • für + das = fürs
  • um + das = ums

Remember: Even if there is no movement, these prepositions still force the accusative. This is different from the two-way preposition rule.

Examples (6)

  1. Ich habe ein Geschenk für meinen Vater.

    I have a gift for my father.

    Word by Word: I have a gift for my father.

    The preposition 'für' triggers the accusative. 'Mein Vater' (masculine) changes to 'meinen Vater'.

  2. Wir gehen durch den Park.

    We are walking through the park.

    Word by Word: We go through the park.

    'Durch' indicates movement through a space and requires the accusative 'den Park'.

  3. Das Auto fährt gegen einen Baum.

    The car drives against (hits) a tree.

    Word by Word: The car drives against a tree.

    'Gegen' shows physical contact/collision and takes the accusative 'einen Baum'.

  4. Ohne dich gehe ich nicht ins Kino.

    Without you, I am not going to the cinema.

    Word by Word: Without you go I not into-the cinema.

    'Ohne' requires the accusative pronoun 'dich' (from 'du').

  5. Wir treffen uns um acht Uhr.

    We are meeting at eight o'clock.

    Word by Word: We meet us at eight clock.

    'Um' is used for specific clock times.

  6. Der Zug fährt nur bis Berlin.

    The train only goes as far as Berlin.

    Word by Word: The train drives only until Berlin.

    'Bis' indicates a limit or destination and is an accusative preposition.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the nominative case for masculine nouns after these prepositions.

    Das ist für der Mann.
    Das ist für den Mann.

    Learners often forget that masculine articles must change from 'der' to 'den' in the accusative.

  • Using 'um' for approximate time.

    Ich komme um 8 Uhr (meaning 'around 8').
    Ich komme gegen 8 Uhr.

    'Um' means exactly at the time. Use 'gegen' if you mean 'around' or 'approximately'.

  • Using nominative pronouns instead of accusative pronouns.

    Ohne du ist es langweilig.
    Ohne dich ist es langweilig.

    Personal pronouns must also switch to their accusative forms (mich, dich, ihn, etc.) after these prepositions.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

für/durch/gegen/ohne/umLevel 1Accusative Prepositions

Learn This First

To use accusative prepositions, you must first understand the accusative case itself, specifically how it affects the forms of articles and personal pronouns.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

gegenohne