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German grammar · A2

German Verbs with Fixed Prepositions

Many German verbs are permanently attached to a particular preposition, and the pairing is not predictable from meaning. Warten is always followed by auf. The preposition also fixes the case, so each verb has to be learned as a three-part unit.

Learn the verb, the preposition and the case together

warten auf + accusative (to wait for), denken an + accusative (to think about), sich freuen auf + accusative, sprechen über + accusative (to talk about), helfen bei + dative (to help with), teilnehmen an + dative (to take part in), Angst haben vor + dative (to be afraid of).

Notice that the prepositions rarely match the English ones. Warten auf is literally wait on; Angst haben vor is literally have fear before. Translating the English preposition is the surest way to get it wrong.

Note too that with these verbs a two-way preposition has its case fixed — it is no longer decided by movement or position. Auf after warten is always accusative, whatever the sentence describes.

Da- and wo- compounds

When the object is a thing rather than a person, German does not repeat the preposition with a pronoun. It fuses them into a da- compound: Ich warte darauf — I am waiting for it. An r is inserted when the preposition starts with a vowel: darauf, darüber, damit, davon.

Questions work the same way with wo-: Worauf wartest du? — what are you waiting for. For people, the preposition stays separate: Auf wen wartest du? That person-versus-thing split governs the whole system.

Examples

• Wir warten auf den Zug nach Frankfurt.We are waiting for the train to Frankfurt.
• Er träumt von einer großen Reise.He is dreaming of a big trip.

Mistakes to avoid

The errors are importing the English preposition, and using a separate pronoun where German requires a da- compound.

• ✗ Ich warte für den Bus.✓ Ich warte auf den Bus.
• ✗ Ich denke an dich gestern.✓ Ich habe gestern an dich gedacht.
• ✗ Für was interessierst du dich?✓ Wofür interessierst du dich?
• ✗ Er träumt über ein neues Auto.✓ Er träumt von einem neuen Auto.
• ✗ Ich lade dich für meine Party ein.✓ Ich lade dich zu meiner Party ein.

How this is tested in the exam

These pairings are exactly what telc's Sprachbausteine section tests, and Goethe tests them indirectly through writing accuracy. In Schreiben at B1 they are hard to avoid: expressing an opinion, an expectation or a concern almost always runs through one of them.

Frequently asked questions

Why do German verbs have fixed prepositions?

It is a property of each verb rather than a rule you can derive. The preposition and its case are part of the verb and have to be learned with it.

What is a da- compound in German?

A fusion of da plus a preposition, used when the object is a thing rather than a person: darauf, darüber, damit, davon. An r is inserted before a vowel.

How do I ask a question with a verb that has a fixed preposition?

Use a wo- compound for things — Worauf wartest du? — and keep the preposition separate for people: Auf wen wartest du?

Does the case change with two-way prepositions after these verbs?

No. When a two-way preposition belongs to a verb, its case is fixed. Auf after warten is always accusative regardless of meaning.