0506G3 Accusative-Dative Prepositions in German

There is a group of prepositions in German which can be used either with the accusative or dative case.

They are: an, auf, hinter, neben, in, über, unter, vor, zwischen

an = on (vertical surface), at, to

auf = on (on top of)

hinter = behind

neben = beside, next to

in = in, into, to

über = above, over, across

unter = under, below, among

vor = before, in front of

zwischen = between

To summarize briefly when these prepositions are accusative, or when they are dative, let us express it this way:

If motion towards an object is being expressed, then they are used with accusative case.

If no motion is involved, they are used with dative case.

Examples: Wir gehen in das Haus. (We are going into the house.) Der Mann ist in dem Haus. (The man is in the house.)

Thomas geht hinter das Haus. (Thomas is going behind the house.) Thomas sitzt hinter dem Haus. (Thomas is sitting behind the house.)