Verbs that Require the Genitive
In German, a select group of highly formal verbs strictly demands an object in the Genitive case. You will frequently encounter these in legal contexts, official public relations statements, and news reports about scandals.
Accusing and Suspecting
Verbs dealing with crimes or accusations often take two objects: a direct object in the Accusative (the person being targeted) and a secondary object in the Genitive (the crime or action they are suspected of).
| The journalist accuses the minister of fraud. | Der Journalist beschuldigt den Minister des Betrugs. |
| Nobody suspects the team of bribery. | Niemand verdächtigt die Mannschaft der Bestechung. |
Reflexive Verbs with the Genitive
Some reflexive verbs also strictly govern the Genitive case. Here, the reflexive pronoun (sich, mich, dich, etc.) takes the Accusative slot, leaving the Genitive case for the thing being boasted about or abstained from.
| He boasts of the fraud, which is why he is in danger. | Er rühmt sich des Betrugs, weshalb er in Gefahr ist. |
| The suspect refrains from a comment. | Der Verdächtige enthält sich eines Kommentars. |
Direct Genitive Objects
A few non-reflexive verbs take a Genitive object directly, without needing an Accusative person first. A prime example is bedürfen (to require), which is a highly formal equivalent of brauchen.
| Furthermore, the scandal requires a statement. | Darüber hinaus bedarf der Skandal einer Stellungnahme. |
| This accusation requires proof. | Dieser Vorwurf bedarf eines Beweises. |
Adding Negative Emphasis
When forcefully denying these serious allegations or downplaying a need, you can add emphasis using gar nicht or überhaupt nicht (not at all).
| I do not accuse you of corruption at all. | Ich beschuldige dich gar nicht der Korruption. |
| The company does not require the help at all. | Das Unternehmen bedarf der Hilfe überhaupt nicht. |