The German Case System

This section explains The German Case System. The German language uses a case system to show the function of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives in a sentence. There are four cases:

1. Nominative – Subject of the sentence
2. Accusative – Direct object
3. Dative – Indirect object
4. Genitive – Possession

Each case affects articles (der/die/das), pronouns, and adjective endings.

The Nominative Case – Subject

The nominative case is used for the subject of the sentence (the person or thing doing the action).

🔹 Example Sentences (Foundation Tier)

• Der Hund schläft. (The dog is sleeping.)
• Meine Schwester liest ein Buch. (My sister is reading a book.)

✅ Tip: To identify the nominative, ask: Who or what is doing the action?

The Accusative Case – Direct Object

The accusative case is used for the direct object (the thing directly affected by the action).

🔹 Example Sentences (Foundation Tier)

• Ich habe einen Hund. (I have a dog.)
• Er kauft eine Jacke. (He is buying a jacket.)

✅ Tip: To identify the accusative, ask: Who or what is receiving the action?

Changes in Articles (Accusative Case)

🚨 Key Rule: Only masculine nouns change (der → den, ein → einen). Feminine, neuter, and plural remain the same.

🔹 Higher-Tier Example:

• Ich sehe den alten Mann in der Stadt. (I see the old man in the city.)

The Dative Case – Indirect Object

The dative case is used for the indirect object (the recipient of the action).

🔹 Example Sentences (Foundation Tier)

• Ich gebe dem Lehrer einen Apfel. (I give the teacher an apple.)
• Sie schreibt ihrer Freundin eine E-Mail. (She writes her friend an email.)

✅ Tip: To identify the dative, ask: To whom or for whom is something done?

Changes in Articles (Dative Case)

🚨 Key Rule: In the dative plural, add -n to the noun (e.g., "die Kinder" → "den Kindern").

🔹 Higher-Tier Example:

• Ich habe meinem kleinen Bruder ein Geschenk gekauft. (I bought my little brother a gift.)

The Genitive Case – Possession

The genitive case is used to show possession (like "of" or "’s" in English).

🔹 Example Sentences (Higher Tier)

• Das ist das Auto meines Vaters. (That is my father's car.)
• Die Farbe des Himmels ist blau. (The colour of the sky is blue.)

✅ Tip: The genitive answers the question: Whose?

Changes in Articles (Genitive Case)

🚨 Key Rule: In masculine and neuter nouns, add "-s" or "-es" to the noun (e.g., "des Mannes" for "the man's").

🔹 Higher-Tier Example:

• Die Tür des Hauses ist geschlossen. (The door of the house is closed.)

Case System Summary Table

Common Verbs and Prepositions That Trigger Cases

Some verbs and prepositions always take a certain case.

Accusative Prepositions (FUDGEBOW)

🔹 Example:

• Ich gehe durch den Park. (I walk through the park.)

Dative Prepositions (Mit, nach, aus, zu, etc.)

🔹 Example:

• Ich spreche mit dem Lehrer. (I speak with the teacher.)

Two-way Prepositions (Accusative OR Dative)

• an, auf, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor, zwischen

🚨 Rule:

• Accusative = movement (Ich gehe in die Schule. – I go into the school.)
• Dative = position (Ich bin in der Schule. – I am in the school.)

Practice Questions

1. Identify the case:
   • "Ich sehe den Hund." (Accusative)
   • "Das ist das Buch meiner Mutter." (Genitive)
2. Translate:
   • I give the teacher a pen.
     Answer: Ich gebe dem Lehrer einen Stift. (Dative)

By mastering these rules, you can form accurate German sentences with confidence! 🚀