Verbs with fixed prepositions and cases

In brief

Some German verbs are regularly followed by a particular preposition. Learn the verb and preposition together: the English equivalent may use a different preposition. The preposition also determines the case of the noun or pronoun that follows it.

Form

Verb + fixed preposition + required case: warten auf + Akkusativ; denken an + Akkusativ; sprechen mit + Dativ; sich interessieren für + Akkusativ.

Usage

• Use warten auf when waiting for a person or thing; auf takes Akkusativ here.
• Use sprechen mit for the person you talk to; mit always takes Dativ.
• Memorize the required case along with each verb–preposition pair, even when another use of that preposition has a different case.

Examples

• Ich warte auf den Bus. — I’m waiting for the bus.
• Denkst du an deine Schwester? — Are you thinking about your sister?
• Sie spricht mit ihrem Nachbarn. — She’s talking to her neighbor.
• Ich interessiere mich für diesen Kurs. — I’m interested in this course.

Common mistake

❌ Ich warte für den Bus.

✅ Ich warte auf den Bus.

English uses ‘wait for,’ but German uses warten auf + Akkusativ.

Remember

Learn the preposition and case as part of the verb, not as a direct translation from English.