Choose the case inside the preposition phrase
In Ich reserviere einen Raum für die Gruppe., einen Raum is the verb’s object; die Gruppe belongs to für. The preposition requires accusative even though the group benefits from the reservation. Do not translate an English recipient automatically into German dative. Case follows the German construction, not a broad label such as “recipient” or “movement”.
The accusative core set
The table covers the common fixed accusative set; wider is a more formal additional member. Meanings vary with context, but their noun-phrase case does not change just because the relationship is abstract rather than spatial.
| Präposition | Original phrase |
|---|---|
| durch | durch einen Fehler |
| für | für den nächsten Kurs |
| gegen | gegen einen Vorschlag |
| ohne | ohne einen Termin |
| um | um den Tisch |
| wider | wider jede Erwartung |
Check the construction in context
Choose your answer before opening the explanation. Check the whole phrase as well as the form.
1. Complete: für ___ nächsten Kurs (der).
für den nächsten Kurs. Für requires accusative; Kurs is masculine singular.
7. Repair: ohne einem festen Plan.
ohne einen festen Plan. Ohne takes accusative, not dative.
Start with the topic overview
German prepositions and cases: a practical reference · Find another grammar topic
Questions about this topic
Does a beneficiary automatically need dative after für?
No. Für requires accusative in this construction. The English meaning of receiving a benefit does not choose German case.
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