Accusative Prepositions — FUDGE 🍫
Certain German prepositions always trigger the Accusative case, regardless of context or motion. You can memorize them using the acronym FUDGE: Für, Um, Durch, Gegen, Entlang (plus 'ohne'). The noun following these prepositions directly receives the action.
Some prepositions are strict. They always force the following noun into the Accusative case.
It doesn't matter if there is movement or not. If you see one of these words, you must use Accusative (den/einen).
The Acronym: FUDGE (+ Bis/Ohne)
Memorize FUDGE. (Who doesn't like fudge?).
| Letter | Preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | Für | For | Das ist für dich. |
| U | Um | Around / At | Zucker um den Mund. |
| D | Durch | Through | Wir fahren durch den Tunnel. |
| G | Gegen | Against | Ich bin gegen den Krieg. |
| E | Entlang | Along | Wir gehen den Fluss entlang. |
[!NOTE]
Entlang is weird: It usually goes after the noun! (Den Fluss entlang).
Don't forget these two:
- Bis (Until/To) -> Bis nächsten Montag.
- Ohne (Without) -> Ich gehe nie ohne meinen Hund.
Common Mistakes ⚠️
- Ich gehe ohne dir. (Wrong! Ohne always takes Accusative. -> ohne dich).
- Für dir. (Wrong! -> Für dich).
Story Mode: A Walk Through the City 🚶♂️
Read this text. Notice how every preposition triggers an object (Accusative).
Ich gehe durch den Park (m). Ich laufe um das Haus (n). Ich habe ein Geschenk für die Frau (f). Ich bin gegen den Krieg (m). Ich gehe den Fluss entlang (m).
Notice:
- Den Park (Masc -> Den)
- Das Haus (Neut -> Das)
- Die Frau (Fem -> Die)
Only the Masculine words change (Der -> Den). The others stay the same, but they ARE in Accusative!
See also...
- Accusative Case — Review the endings.
- Dative Prepositions — The counterpart.
Ready to practice?
Train your preposition usage!