Always Accusative
Just like the Dative prepositions you learned, a core set of prepositions always requires the Accusative case. Regardless of context, any noun or pronoun following these words takes its Accusative form.
Three of the most common Accusative prepositions are für (for), ohne (without), and gegen (against).
Purpose: für
für indicates purpose, benefit, or a recipient. Notice how the pronoun following it takes the Accusative form (ihn).
| The gift is for him. | Das Geschenk ist für ihn. |
| What are you doing for the team? | Was tust du für die Mannschaft? |
Lack: ohne
ohne expresses the absence of something. It is often used directly before a noun with no article.
| We cannot win without help. | Wir können ohne Hilfe nicht gewinnen. |
Pronouns following ohne must also be in the Accusative case, such as mich (me).
| He does nothing without me. | Er macht nichts ohne mich. |
Opposition and impact: gegen
gegen is used for abstract opposition, like playing against a team or having something against someone.
| We play against the team. | Wir spielen gegen die Mannschaft. |
| Do you have something against me? | Habt ihr etwas gegen mich? |
It also describes physical impact, translating to "into" in English. Notice how the masculine noun der Baum (the tree) changes to the Accusative den Baum.
| The car drives into the tree. | Das Auto fährt gegen den Baum. |
