Wechselpräposition

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German

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Etymology

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From wechseln (to change, alternate) +‎ Präposition (preposition).

Pronunciation

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  • Audio:(file)

Noun

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Wechselpräposition f (genitive Wechselpräposition, plural Wechselpräpositionen)

  1. (grammar) A preposition that can be construed with more than one grammatical case, with the sense depending on this choice of case.
    Auf“ ist eine Wechselpräposition.“Auf” is a preposition taking more than one case.

Usage notes

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  • With regard to German grammar, the alternation is always between dative and accusative. The basic rule for this alternation is very straightforward: Dative is used when the preposition describes a stationary position or movement within a confined space. Accusative is used when the preposition describes movement from A to B.
Die Kinder rennen in der Turnhalle.The children are running in the gym.
Die Kinder rennen in die Turnhalle.The children are running into the gym.
  • However, the choice is often less intuitive in figurative use or in combination with certain verbs. For example, you say ein Brett an die Wand schrauben (to screw a board to the wall), but ein Brett an der Wand befestigen (to fasten a board to the wall).

Declension

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