Stern Guy - Essential German Grammar

This section summarizes briefly the four German cases and their uses. It is not intended to be exhaustive, but it will indicate the most important uses to which each case is put. For a discussion of the concept of case itself, see p. 113.

Nominative Case:

1. The subject of a clause or sentence.

   Das Lied hat eine schne Melodie.
   The song has a pretty melody.

2. Predicate nominatives (see p. 112 for a definition) after verbs of being, becoming, appearing, etc. sein (to be), scheinen (to seem), werden (to become), bleiben (to remain), etc.

   Er ist der beste Reisefhrer.
   He is the best guide.

   Er ist und bleibt mein guter Freund.
   He is and remains my good friend.

   Er wird Lehrer.
   He is becoming a teacher.

Genitive Case:

1. Possession, attribution, materialin most of the situations corresponding to the English possessive in -s or the English of-construction.

   Das ist der Pass meines Sohnes.
   [This is the passport of my son .]
   This is my sons passport.

2. With certain prepositions which always take the genitive:
   

   Whrend des Regens waren wir im Kino.
   [ During the rain were we in the movies.]
   During the rain we were at the movies.

   Statt des erwarteten Regens hat die Sonne geschienen.
   [ Instead of the expected rain, has the sun shone.]
   Instead of the expected rain, the sun shone.

   Wegen des Regens sind wir zu Hause geblieben.
   [ On account of the rain are we at home stayed.]
   On account of the rain we stayed at home.

Dative Case:

1. Indirect objects, as in English.

   Er gibt dem Reisefhrer ein Trinkgeld.
   He gives the guide a tip.

2. With certain prepositions which always take the dative:
   

   Sie kommt aus dem Haus.
   She comes out of the house.

   Er ist der Vater von fnf Kindern .
   He is the father of five children.

   (Most instances of the genitive given above in section Genitive Case, (a) may also be expressed by von with the dative, though the former is preferred.) Example: Das ist der Pass von meinem Sohn.

3. With certain prepositions which take the dative in some situations and some meanings:
   

   These prepositions take the dative when no change of position is involved. An easy rule of thumb consists of asking the question where ? or when ? (In other situations, involving change of position, or motion towards, these prepositions take the accusative.)

   Er reitet auf einem Pferd.

   He is riding on a horse. (Dative, no change of position is involved.)

   Wir stehen vor dem Rathaus.

   We stand before the city hall. (Dative)

4. With certain verbs that take their objects in the dative:
   

   Der Koffer gehrt meinem Freund.
   The suitcase belongs to my friend.

Accusative Case:

1. Direct objects.

   Wir schreiben einen Brief.
   We write a letter.

2. With certain prepositions which always take the accusative
   

   Wir fahren durch die Stadt.
   We travel through the city.

   Sie fhrt um den Platz.
   She drives around the square.

3. With certain prepositions which sometimes take the dative and sometimes the accusative:
   

   These prepositions take the accusative when a change of position is involved. As easy rule of thumb is to ask where to ? They all involve motion towards something.

   Wir gehen vor das Rathaus.
   We are going in front of the city hall.

   Wir setzten uns auf die Bank.
   We sat down upon the bench.