klar↗A1 grammar topics

A1 · SUPPLEMENTARY GRAMMAR PRACTICE

Verbs with accusative and dative objects

Learn verbs with their object pattern. Sehen, kaufen, brauchen and besuchen commonly take an accusative object. Helfen, danken, gefallen and gehören take dative. Geben can have both: the person receiving something is dative and the thing given is accusative. Genitive-object verbs such as gedenken belong to more formal language; they are a reference rather than a beginner speaking target.

Reference

PatternExample
AccusativeIch besuche meinen Freund.
DativeIch danke meiner Freundin.
Dative plus accusativeIch gebe dem Kind das Buch.
Genitive referenceWir gedenken der Opfer.

Try four exercises

Choose an answer, then check your work. No signup needed. Results stay on this page and do not add ranking points.

1. Ich helfe ___ Kind.
Answer and explanation

dem

Helfen takes dative: dem Kind.

2. Ich besuche ___ Freund. (a male friend)
Answer and explanation

einen

Besuchen takes accusative.

3. Das Buch gehört ___. (me)
Answer and explanation

mir

Gehören requires dative: mir.

4. Ich gebe dem Kind das Buch. What is accusative?
Answer and explanation

das Buch

The book is the thing given; dem Kind is the dative recipient.

Use it yourself

Write or say two new sentences using this pattern. Compare the forms and word order with the reference above.

Next: Accusative and dative prepositions →