Verbs with Prepositions (Verben mit Präpositionen)
Practice fixed verb-preposition combinations and da-/wo-compounds.
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Fill in: Ich warte ___ den Bus.
'Warten auf + accusative' is a fixed combination meaning 'to wait for'. I'm waiting for the bus.
Choose: Sie interessiert sich ___ Kunst.
'Sich interessieren für + accusative' means 'to be interested in'. She is interested in art.
Fill in: Er denkt oft ___ seine Kindheit.
'Denken an + accusative' means 'to think of/about'. He often thinks about his childhood. Note: 'denken über' means 'to have an opinion about'.
Choose: Wir haben ___ das Problem gesprochen.
'Sprechen über + accusative' means 'to talk about/discuss'. We discussed the problem. 'Sprechen von' is also possible but less common in this context.
Fill in: Ich freue mich ___, dass du kommst. (thing, not person)
'Sich freuen über' (to be happy about something happening). When referring to a clause (not a person), use a da-compound: 'darüber'. I'm happy that you're coming.
Choose: Er hat lange ___ gewartet.
'Warten auf' → da-compound = 'darauf'. When referring to a thing or situation (not a person), use the da-compound. He waited a long time for it.
Fill in: ___ denkst du gerade? – An meinen Urlaub.
'Denken an' → wo-compound question = 'woran'. What are you thinking about? Use wo-compounds to ask about things with verb-preposition combinations.
Choose: ___ freust du dich? – Auf die Party!
'Sich freuen auf' (to look forward to) → wo-compound = 'worauf'. The answer 'auf die Party' confirms the preposition 'auf'.
Fill in: Ich denke oft ___ meine Großmutter. (person)
For persons, use the preposition + the person directly: 'an meine Großmutter'. Da-compounds (daran) are only used for things, not people.
Which verb-preposition combination is correct?
'Sich bewerben um + accusative' (to apply for) is correct. The others are: sich ärgern über, teilnehmen an, anfangen mit.