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About verb + preposition idioms | List of common verb + preposition idioms | GRAMMAR INDEX
Two-way prepositions may take either the accusative case or the dative case. In the verb +
preposition combinations that employ two-way prepositions, it will be necessary to memorize
along with the phrase also the case that the preposition uses in that particular phrase.
Denkst du an mich?
Note that sentences that use such prepositional objects may also have other objects as well. This
includes direct and/or indirect objects as well as additional prepositional objects.
Ich danke dir fr das Geschenk.
Herzen.
About verb + preposition idioms | List of common verb + preposition idioms
GRAMMAR INDEX
English equivalents
AN
In verb + preposition idioms, the two-way preposition an is used more frequently with the dative case than with
the accusative case. Most of the an + accusative phrases refer to mental processes. The preposition in an +
dative idioms often means in connection with, with respect to.
denken an (+ acc.)
erinnern an (+acc.)
glauben an (+ acc.)
schreiben an (+ acc.)
to write to (sb.)
arbeiten an (+ dat.)
to work on (sth.)
hindern an (+ dat.)
leiden an (+ dat.)
sterben an (+ dat.)
to die of (sth.)
teilnehmen an (+ dat.)
zweifeln an (+ dat.)
to doubt (sth.)
AUF
In verb + preposition idioms, the two-way preposition auf is almost always used with the accusative. In the few
instances where auf occurs with the dative, it indicates an enduring position, a lack of movement. Auf is the
most commonly used preposition in verb + preposition idioms.
to answer (sth.)
to limit to (sth.)
to point to (sth.)
to concentrate on (sth.)
to react to (sth.)
to insist on (sth.)
AUS
The dative preposition aus usually remains close to its conventional meaning of of or from.
bestehen aus
to consist of (sth.)
entnehmen aus
schlieen aus
FR
The accusative preposition fr usually remains close to its conventional meaning for.
sich begeistern fr
danken fr
sich eignen fr
sich entscheiden fr
halten fr
to consider to be (sth.)
sich interessieren fr
sorgen fr
IN
In most verb + preposition combinations, the two-way preposition in is used with the accusative.
einfhren in (+ acc.)
to introduce to (sth.)
einwilligen in (+ acc.)
to agree to (sth.)
bestehen in (+ dat.)
consist in (sth.)
MIT
The dative preposition mit normally means with in verb + preposition idioms.
anfangen mit
aufhren mit
rechnen mit
to count on (sth.)
sprechen mit
telefonieren mit
bereinstimmen mit
NACH
The dative preposition nach often means after or for with verbs of calling, asking, longing, and reaching. With
sensory verbs (e.g. to smell, to taste), nach usually means of or like.
aussehen nach
fragen nach
greifen nach
to grab at (sth.)
riechen nach
schmecken nach
streben nach
suchen nach
BER
In verb + preposition idioms, the two-way preposition ber is always used with the accusative case. In a
number of idioms, ber means about.
to discuss (sth.)
UM
The accusative preposition um usually has the sense of concerning or with respect to in verb + preposition
idioms.
sich bemhen um
betrgen um
bitten um
sich handeln um
to be about (sth.)
kmpfen um
konkurrieren um
sich kmmern um
VON
The dative preposition von usually has the sense of English of or from in verb + preposition idioms. Some
verbs of thinking or communication may be used in combination with von or ber in the sense of about, but in
these instances ber conveys a more in-depth knowledge or communication than does von.
abhngen von
abraten von
absehen von
to disregard (sth.)
erholen von
erzhlen von
sprechen von
trumen von
berzeugen von
to convince of (sth.)
wissen von
VOR
The two-way preposition vor is always used with the dative case in verb + preposition idioms. With verbs of
fear and protection, it usually means of and from or against respectively.
ZU
In verb + preposition idioms, the dative preposition zu sometimes means to or into, particularly with verbs of
empowering, leading, persuading, etc.
beitragen zu
bewegen zu
dienen zu
sich eignen zu
to be suitable as (sth.)
fhren zu
to lead to (sth.)
gehren zu
to part of (sth.)
gratulieren zu
to congratulate on (sth.)
herausfordern zu
to challenge to (sth.)
neigen zu
passen zu
rechnen zu
treiben zu
berreden zu
zhlen zu
zwingen zu