There are four cases in German.

Der Nominativ

The Nominative case is the subject case. What each article looks like, depends on the case and gender/number.

The verb “sein” is like an equal sign = both elements on either side of “sein” are in the nominative case. E.g. Ich bin eine Studentin. “Ich” and “eine Studentin” are in the nominative case.

*der, dieser, jener, solcher, welcher, alle
** ein, kein, mein, dein, sein, ihr, unser, euer, Ihr

************************************************************************

Der Akkusativ

The Accusative case is the direct object case, the object that takes the action directly from the verb. What each article looks like, depends on the case and gender/number. The only change from the Nominative case occurs in the masculine gender. Weak masculine nouns also add an ending, e.g. der Student –> den Studenten.

The Accusative case also follows accusative prepositions. There are two kinds of accusative prepositions (see also list below):

1. Accusative prepositions, which are only ever followed by the accusative case.
2. Two-Way prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen), which may be followed by accusative or dative. They are followed by accusative when the action moves from point A to point B. Another way to think about it: When you can answer the question “wohin” (where-to), then you use accusative.
   

************************************************************************

Der Dativ

The dative case is the indirect object case, the to or for whom the action of the verb is happening. (The exception to this: Dative verbs, which have a dative direct object.) What each article looks like, depends on the case and gender/number. Plural nouns generally add an “n”. Weak masculine nouns also add an ending, e.g. der Student –> dem Studenten.

The dative case also follows dative prepositions. There are two kinds of dative prepositions (see also list below):

1. Dative prepositions, which are only ever followed by the dative case.
2. Two-Way prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen), which may be followed by accusative or dative. They are followed by dative when describing location. Another way to think about it: When you can answer the question “wo” (where), then you use dative.
   

************************************************************************

Der Genitiv

The genitive case is for possession and follows genitive prepositions.

Unlike in English, which can show possession with an “-‘s” or “-s'”, German only allows for the possessive “s” with proper names, e.g. Sarahs Freund (no apostrophe).

If there is no proper name, German shows possession with the genitive case. What each article looks like, depends on the case and gender/number. Masculine and neuter nouns will also add an “s” or an “es”.

Some examples:
der Name des Mannes = the man’s name / the name of the man
das Auto der Frau = the woman’s car / the care of the woman
der Ball des Kindes = the child’s ball / the ball of the child
der Besitzer der Hunde = the dogs’ owner / the owner of the dogs

************************************************************************

Practice

• German.net  (alle Fälle)
• Free German (Akkusativ und Dativ)
• Grammar Worksheets: The first exercises are specifically for identifying and practicing case. If you choose the links that have “Lösungsblatt” next to them, you’ll also have the answers. Otherwise, bring/send your practice sheets to me.