Annotated Answer Key - German Prepositions 1

Thanks for taking PREPOSITION QUIZ 1. Here is an answer key plus some bonus prepositional tips. See detailed comments for each item following the answer key.

Correct items are in CAPS.

1. Ja, diese Tram fährt zur Universität.
   a. zum B. ZUR c. auf der

Universität is feminine. 'Zu' is a dative preposition: zu + die = zur (zu der). You could say 'auf die Uni' but not 'auf der.' 'Zum' can't be used because zu + dem would be masc. or neuter. When using prepositions in German, you have to know your GENDERS and CASES!

2. Es gibt nichts Neues unter der Sonne.
   a. unter die b. vor der C. UNTER DER

UNTER DIE implies motion (towards, onto, under), while the correct answer UNTER DER implies at rest, being in a location. Here's an easy-to-remember HINT about the two-way or "doubtful" prepositions (an, auf, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor, zwischen):

"Nothing new under the sun" is NOT motion, it's location. (WO? - Unter der Sonne.)

3. Bei schlechtem Wetter werden wir uns in der Halle treffen.
   a. Mit B. BEI c. Am

BEI has many meanings in German. Here it used to mean 'on the occasion of' or 'if we have'... It is wise to get familiar with BEI, since it is used often in German - and in so many different ways!

4. Ludwig van Beethoven wurde 1770 zu Bonn geboren.
   A. ZU b. auf c. nach

Normally you would say Beethoven was born "IN Bonn" - but the fancy, flowery, old way to say it is "ZU Bonn." This is an example of a language idiom or convention you just have to know, but you are only likely to see it in literature or "erudite" writing. - This use of 'zu' is similar to the idiomatic expression "zu Hause" (at home), where 'zu' does NOT mean 'to.'

5. Wir fahren morgen in die Schweiz.
   a. nach b. zum C. IN DIE

See #10 below. Feminine and plural countries rarely use nach. 'Schweiz' (Switzerland) is feminine, so zum is a bad choice.

6. Fragen Sie doch den Apotheker, ob er etwas gegen Kopfschmerzen hat.
   a. für B. GEGEN c. auf

In English you take something 'for' a cold or headache. In German you take something 'against' (gegen) a headache or cold. Which one is more logical? (The correct answer here: German!) If you missed this one, it's a good example of language interference and why to avoid it.

7. Meine Freunde fahren mit der Bahn in den Urlaub.
   A. MIT DER b. durch die c. bei

This is an expression that must be learned as vocabulary. To travel 'by' something is 'mit' in German: mit der Bahn, mit dem Auto, usw. If you used 'bei' - that is an example of language interference.

8. Der Weg zur Hölle ist mit guten Vorsätzen gepflastert.
   a. nach b. zu C. ZUR

This is a common expression or proverb (in both English and German). You just have to know that, besides being paved with good intentions, the German road TO hell is ZUR Hölle (dative preposition).

9. Er hat Angst _vorm_ Fliegen. Er fliegt nie.
   a. vom b. am C. VORM

There was a best-selling book by Erica Jong called FEAR OF FLYING (although it had little to do with actual flying). Its title in German: ANGST VORM FLIEGEN. In German 'fear of' is 'Angst vor' (Dat.).

10. Ulrich und Inge reisen nächste Woche in die USA.
   a. in den B. IN DIE c. in der

Also see #5 above. Motion towards with "in" is accusative. "To the US" is 'in die USA' and 'to Switzerland' would be in die Schweiz. "In" is commonly used with plural and "die" countries, rather than "nach."

NOTE: in den Vereinigten Staaten = inside/within the USA, not 'to' Most Germans would use USA, as it's shorter and more common. NOTE: "Die USA _sind_ ein großes Land." In German the US is always plural.

11. Bitte legen Sie das Buch _auf den_ Tisch.
   a. am b. auf dem C. AUF DEN

Just like item 2, only this time it is motion. When you place something, you are moving it from one place to another. The question is WOHIN? (where to?). Think of it as 'onto' rather than just 'on.' Also, don't confuse 'liegen' and 'legen' ('lie' and 'lay' - which many English-speakers get wrong!). 'Liegen' is always at rest/location (DAT). 'Legen' always involves movement in a direction (AKK).

12. Wann fährst du nach Frankfurt?
   a. zu B. NACH c. auf

Like in 5 and 10, you need to pick the right German word for "to" - which unfortunately can be an, auf, in, nach, zu, or even other words, depending on the context. BUT this is an easy one! "To" for towns and most geographic names is almost always nach. (5 and 10 are examples of limited exceptions.)

13. Während der Nacht ist er verschwunden.
   A. WÄHREND b. Durch c. Trotz

Other than durch which is always accusative, these are genitive prepositions. The sentence means "During the night he disappeared." - so the correct answer is 'A' because it agrees with the genitive der Nacht (from 'die Nacht') AND has the correct meaning. Trotz means "in spite of" so it doesn't fit.

14. Maria tanzte vor Freude.
   a. nach B. VOR c. für

An idiomatic expression. Like many expressions with prepositions, you just have to know that "to dance for joy" is "vor Freude tanzen."

15. Er wartet auf den Bus.
   A. AUF DEN b. für den c. an dem (am)

If you missed this one, you tried to "Anglicize" this expression (language interference) by using 'am' which sounds like 'on' or 'für' which sounds like 'for.' But to 'wait for' in German is warten auf (acc.). It is a verb + prep. expression like those below.

NEXT > Answer Key - Part 2 (16-20)

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