The idea
Learn the complete construction ab, including its Dativ complement. The preposition ab belongs to the construction; do not infer its case from English. In a yes/no question the finite verb moves before the subject, while the complement keeps its case.
| Muster | Kasus |
|---|---|
| ab | Dativ |
Repair the complement
Ab der Bahnhof fahren wir zusammen.Ab dem Bahnhof fahren wir zusammen.For this marked spatial starting point, use dative dem Bahnhof.
Examples
- Die Verbindung gilt ab dem Hauptbahnhof.The connection applies from the main station onward.
- Gilt die Verbindung ab dem Hauptbahnhof?Does the connection apply from the main station onward?
- Der neue Plan gilt ab dem ersten November.The new plan applies from the first of November.
- Gilt der neue Plan ab dem ersten November?Does the new plan apply from the first of November?
- Wir laufen ab der Brücke gemeinsam weiter.We continue walking together from the bridge onward.
- Laufen wir ab der Brücke gemeinsam weiter?Do we continue walking together from the bridge onward?
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Watch out
For this marked spatial starting point, use dative dem Bahnhof.
Try it yourself
ab — Kasus der Ergänzung?
Show answer or example answer
Dativ
Dativ: this is the required case in ab.
Korrigiere: Ab der Bahnhof fahren wir zusammen.
Show answer or example answer
Ab dem Bahnhof fahren wir zusammen.
Ab dem Bahnhof fahren wir zusammen. For this marked spatial starting point, use dative dem Bahnhof.
Verwandle in eine Ja/Nein-Frage: Die Verbindung gilt ab dem Hauptbahnhof.
Show answer or example answer
Gilt die Verbindung ab dem Hauptbahnhof?
Gilt die Verbindung ab dem Hauptbahnhof? The finite verb comes first; the complement keeps its case.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
ab — Kasus der Ergänzung?
Korrigiere: Ab der Bahnhof fahren wir zusammen.
Ab dem Bahnhof fahren wir zusammen.
Verwandle in eine Ja/Nein-Frage: Die Verbindung gilt ab dem Hauptbahnhof.
Gilt die Verbindung ab dem Hauptbahnhof?
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Write two sentences about your own week with ab: a statement and the matching yes/no question. The word order changes, but the complement stays in the Dativ; compare both with “Ab dem Bahnhof fahren wir zusammen.”.