The idea
Learn the complete construction durch, including its Akkusativ complement. The preposition durch 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.
| Pattern | Case |
|---|---|
| durch | Akkusativ |
Repair the complement
Wir gehen durch dem Garten.Wir gehen durch den Garten.Durch always requires accusative in this standard prepositional construction.
Examples
- Wir gehen durch den überdachten Innenhof.We walk through the covered courtyard.
- Gehen wir durch den überdachten Innenhof?Do we walk through the covered courtyard?
- Die Antwort entsteht durch eine gemeinsame Diskussion.The answer emerges through a shared discussion.
- Entsteht die Antwort durch eine gemeinsame Diskussion?Does the answer emerge through a shared discussion?
- Ich sehe den Turm durch das offene Fenster.I see the tower through the open window.
- Sehe ich den Turm durch das offene Fenster?Do I see the tower through the open window?
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Watch out
Durch always requires accusative in this standard prepositional construction.
Try it yourself
durch — case of the complement?
Show answer or example answer
Akkusativ
Akkusativ: this is the required case in durch.
Correct this: Wir gehen durch dem Garten.
Show answer or example answer
Wir gehen durch den Garten.
Wir gehen durch den Garten. Durch always requires accusative in this standard prepositional construction.
Turn this into a yes/no question: Wir gehen durch den überdachten Innenhof.
Show answer or example answer
Gehen wir durch den überdachten Innenhof?
Gehen wir durch den überdachten Innenhof? The finite verb comes first; the complement keeps its case.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
durch — case of the complement?
Correct this: Wir gehen durch dem Garten.
Wir gehen durch den Garten.
Turn this into a yes/no question: Wir gehen durch den überdachten Innenhof.
Gehen wir durch den überdachten Innenhof?
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 durch: a statement and the matching yes/no question. The word order changes, but the complement stays in the Akkusativ; compare both with “Wir gehen durch den Garten.”.