Word Order of Dative and Accusative Cases Monica

The rules governing word order of direct and indirect objects in German are fairly

If there is both a direct object noun (accusative) and an indirect object noun

If either the direct object or the indirect object is a pronoun (not both),

If both the direct object and the indirect object are pronouns, the direct object

Basically, if there’s a direct object pronoun, it will come first - followed by

Let’s do some practice. Put the given words in the correct order. Refer to

Let’s do some more practice. Put the given words in the correct order. Refer

Ready to tackle the practice quiz on word order of dative and accusative cases?

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Word Order of Dative and Accusative Cases Monica Davis

The rules governing word order of direct and indirect objects in German are fairly specific. They are as follows:

If there is both a direct object noun (accusative) and an indirect object noun (dative), the indirect object noun (dative) must come first. I am giving my mom a gift. Ich gebe meiner Mutter (dative) ein Geschenk. (accusative)

If either the direct object or the indirect object is a pronoun (not both), the pronoun comes first. I am giving her the gift. Ich gebe ihr (dative) das Geschenk (accusative). I am giving it to my mom. Ich gebe es (accusative) meiner Mutter (dative).

If both the direct object and the indirect object are pronouns, the direct object (accusative) pronoun must come first. I am giving it to her. Ich gebe es ihr.

Basically, if there’s a direct object pronoun, it will come first - followed by the indirect object noun/pronoun. Ich gebe es (das Buch) dem Kind. Ich gebe es (das Buch) ihm. Otherwise, if the direct object is not a pronoun, the indirect object noun/pronoun will come first, followed by the direct object noun. Ich gebe dem Kind das Buch. Ich gebe ihm das Buch.

Let’s do some practice. Put the given words in the correct order. Refer to pp. 64 and 65 in your text if you need help. ihr / gebe / ich / ihn Genau! The correct answer is Ich gebe ihn ihr. ! gebe / der Frau / ich / ihn Genau! The correct answer is Ich gebe ihn der Frau. !

Let’s do some more practice. Put the given words in the correct order. Refer to pp. 64 and 65 in your text if you need help. den Kuli / gebe / der Frau / ich Genau! The correct answer is Ich gebe der Frau den Kuli. ! den Kuli / ihr / ich / gebe Genau! The correct answer is Ich gebe ihr den Kuli. !

Ready to tackle the practice quiz on word order of dative and accusative cases? Click here!