German verbs with prepositions: verb, case and questions

Learn three pieces together

In some combinations, the verb determines the preposition of its object: you can’t choose it by translating English word for word. Memorise verb + preposition + case. For example, warten auf + Akkusativ (“to wait for”) and teilnehmen an + Dativ (“to take part in”).

The examples are about waiting for the bus, thinking of a brother, being interested in a course, looking forward to a holiday, talking to a teacher, dreaming of a trip and taking part in a course. Don’t forget sich when it belongs to the verb: ich interessiere mich, du interessierst dich.

An can take different cases

Compare Ich denke an den Kurs. (“I’m thinking about the course”) with Ich nehme an dem Kurs teil. (“I’m taking part in the course”). An goes with Akkusativ in denken an and with Dativ in teilnehmen an. Learn each combination as a whole.

Don’t apply the spatial Wo/Wohin rule to these objects. Ich warte auf den Bus. needs Akkusativ without describing a physical destination. Two-way prepositions use that spatial distinction in other contexts.

Asking about people or things

For a person, keep the preposition and use the matching question word: Auf wen wartest du? (“Who are you waiting for?”) or Mit wem sprichst du? (“Who are you talking to?”). Unlike English, German doesn’t leave the preposition at the end of the question.

For a thing or a matter, wo(r)- + preposition forms are usual: Worauf wartest du? (“What are you waiting for?”). The answer can keep the noun phrase, Auf eine Nachricht. (“For a message”), or refer back to it with da(r)-: Ich warte darauf. (“I’m waiting for it”). Before a preposition that starts with a vowel, an r appears: woran, daran, worauf, darauf.

How to practise without mixing up meaning and case

Make a card with the combination, a sentence and a question. Then swap the noun: warten auf den Bus → warten auf eine Antwort. Both times you practise Akkusativ.

When you check an answer, identify the verb combination before declining the article. Add another verb with the same preposition and a different case, such as denken an and teilnehmen an: that comparison forces you to remember the whole construction. The levels in this collection follow the Dilelang path; a common combination may come before B1 in other courses.

Exercises with answers

Answer before opening the solutions. Each answer explains the reason for the form:

1. Wir warten auf ___ Zug. der Zug.
2. Ich denke an ___ Prüfung. die Prüfung.
3. Sie nimmt an ___ Seminar teil. das Seminar.
4. Ich spreche mit ___ Nachbarin. die Nachbarin.
5. Ask about a person: Auf ___ wartest du?
6. Ask about a matter: “What are you thinking about?”

Show answers and explanations

1. den: warten auf takes masculine Akkusativ.
2. die: denken an takes feminine Akkusativ.
3. dem: teilnehmen an takes neuter Dativ.
4. der: mit takes feminine Dativ.
5. wen: the person being waited for is the object of auf, in Akkusativ.
6. Woran denkst du?: wo- + an with r; it keeps the preposition of denken an.