08: Prepositions

Prepositions (Präpositionen)
function to illustrate a spatial, temporal, or logical relationship between the object of the prepositional phrase and other components of the sentence. 
 
Example (spatial):
Das Buch (Subjekt, Nominativ) liegt (Verb) auf (Präposition) dem Tisch (Objekt, Dativ).
The book  (Subject, Nomintive) is (Verb) on (Preposition) the table (Object, Dative).
Example (temporal):
 
Ich (Subjekt, Nominativ) komme (Verb) am (Präposition) Dienstag (Objekt, Dativ).
 I (Subject, Nominative) ‚m coming (Verb) on (Preposition) Tuesday (Object, Dative).
 
Example (logical):
Er (Subjekt, Nominativ) geht (Verb) trotz (Präposition)  des Regens (Objekt, Genitiv) spazieren (Verb).
 He (Subjekt, Nominative) ‚s going (Verb) for  a walk despite (preposition) the rain (Object, Genitive).
 
In German Verbs are connected to  fixed prepositions.

E.g. liegt auf – liegt unter – liegt in – liegt neben – liegt zwischen
 
(Infinitive: liegen = situated in a certain place). 

So we would learn the Verb
 
 „liegen“ + the prepositions „auf (on) – unter (under)  – in (in) – neben (beside)- zwischen (between)“.
 

We distinguish between

Prepositions  governing the Dative: (Just one example, there are of course more.)

mit (with) = Ich fahre mit dem Fahrrad. (I’m ridding the bike.)
 

Prepositions governing the Accusative: (Just one example, there are of course more.)

für (for) = Die Puppe ist für meine Tochter. (The doll is for my daughter.)
 

Preposotions governing the Genitive: (Just one example, there are of course more.

wegen (because of) = Ich rufe wegen des Auos an. (I’m calling because of the car.)
 
Prepositions governing both, Dative and Accusative (there are 9, but for the example I just use 2):

auf (on) = Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch. (The book is on the table.) = Dative
auf (on) = Ich lege das Buch auf den Tisch. (I put the book on the table.) = Accusative
 
Note:  While learning new Verbs it is recommended to find out which Prepositions they go with.
 
    Please mind, that these little  self study lessons can only cover the very basics of the grammar subjects.