1. There are a number of set phrases in both English and German that consist of a verb + a certain preposition but these phrases differ between the two languages. When learning German prepositional phrases, it is best to learn which preposition each individual verb uses. Here are some examples of such phrases in English and in German. English examplesDeutsche Beispiele I looked it up in the dictionary.Ich danke dir für das Geschenk. I backed the car up.Ich warte auf meinen Freund. I asked her out.Ich arbeite an einem Projekt. I broke up with her.Ich suche nach meinem Hund. We should call that off.Ich ärgere mich über das Problem. In English, such phrases are sometimes referred to as phrasal verbs.

2. As with all prepositional phrases, the case of the prepositional object will depend on the preposition itself. If a preposition is accusative, the object of that preposition will be in the accusative case. If a preposition is dative, the object of that preposition will be in the dative case. Ich habe nach dir gefragt. Nach Nach is a dative preposition…so the object of the preposition (dir) is in the dative case. Dativ aus – out of ausser – outside of bei – at / by mit - with nach nach - after seit - since von - from zu - to gegenüber – across from Ich bewerbe mich um die Stelle. um um is an accusative preposition…so the object of the preposition (die Stelle) is in the Accusative case. Akkusativ durch – through für – for gegen – against ohne – without um – around entlang – along bis - until

3. Two-way prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen) may take either the accusative case or the dative case. When a verb + preposition combination uses a two-way prepositions, it will be necessary to memorize along with the phrase also the case that the preposition uses in that particular phrase. Ich denke an dich. Ich muss an dem Projekt arbeiten. In this sentence, the preposition an uses the accusative case. In this sentence, the preposition an uses the dative case. Wechselpräpositionen in – in an – at über – over/ above unter – under / beneath vor – in front of hinter – behind zwischen – between neben – next to auf – on top of For more help learning these, look at our video over two way prepositions.

4. Dont confuse prepositions used with verbs with verbs with separable and inseparable prefixes. These are fairly easy to recognize as the are often at the end of the sentence and do not take an object. Ich ziehe meine Jacke an. In this sentence, an is a separable prefix. The separable prefix verb used here is anziehen – to put on. Verb Prefixes that are often used as stand alone prepositions include: an, auf, zu, mit, über, unter, vor, durch, um, nach, an, auf, zu, mit, über, unter, vor, durch, um, nach,

5. an Except for an, most two-way prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen) take the accusative case when used in this manner. in Er hat sich in sie verliebt. Accusative case vor arbeiten an The most common exceptions to this rule are prepositional verbs with " vor," which are often followed by nouns and pronouns in the dative, and " arbeiten an," which is also followed by the dative. Er arbeitet an dem Projekt. Dative case Er hat mich vor dem Feuer gerettet. Dative case