Advanced dative prepositions (entgegen, entsprechend)

In German, most prepositions come right before the noun they modify. However, a few special prepositions can—or even prefer to—come after the noun. These are sometimes called "postpositions." Two of the most useful ones for talking about rules, expectations, and driving are entgegen (contrary to) and entsprechend (according to). Both of these require the dative case.

"entgegen" (Contrary to)

When you want to say that someone acted against a rule, expectation, or instruction, use entgegen. While it can occasionally be placed before the noun, it is most commonly placed after the dative noun it modifies.

Contrary to our expectations, the student passed the exam.
Unseren Erwartungen entgegen hat der Schüler die Prüfung bestanden.
Contrary to the instruction, the car did not stop at the zebra crossing.
Der Anweisung entgegen hielt der Wagen nicht am Zebrastreifen.

"entsprechend" (According to)

To express that an action is in line with a rule, law, or situation, use entsprechend. Just like entgegen, it typically follows its dative noun.

According to the law, nobody may park here.
Dem Gesetz entsprechend darf hier niemand parken.
According to the regulation, she turned on the turn signal immediately.
Der Vorschrift entsprechend schaltete sie sofort den Blinker ein.

Word Order in the Sentence

If you place the dative noun and its postposition at the beginning of the sentence to emphasize it, the entire phrase counts as the first position. As always in standard German sentences, the conjugated verb must immediately follow in the second position.

Contrary to the prohibition, the car is parking on the roadway.
Dem Verbot entgegen parkt das Auto auf der Fahrbahn.

If the phrase appears later in the sentence, it simply acts as an adverbial block describing how the action was performed.

He found it difficult to drive according to the speed limit.
Er fand es schwierig, dem Tempolimit entsprechend zu fahren.