Präpositionen mit Genitiv
A small set of prepositions trigger the genitive case (Lesson 171) instead of dative or accusative. They are common in writing and on the exam, even though casual spoken German often swaps in dative instead.
| wegen | because of |
| trotz | despite |
| während | during |
| außerhalb / innerhalb | outside of / inside of |
Wegen des Regens bleiben wir zu Hause. (Because of the rain, we're staying home.)
Trotz der Kälte gingen sie spazieren. (Despite the cold, they went for a walk.)
Quick check: "because of the rain" (genitive) - wegen des ______.
während appeared already in Lesson 172 as a subordinating conjunction ("während ich arbeite..."). As a preposition, it works the same way but takes a genitive noun phrase instead of a full clause.
Während des Meetings war er still. (During the meeting, he was quiet. - preposition + genitive)
Während er arbeitete, war es still. (While he was working, it was quiet. - conjunction + full clause)
Quick check: does the preposition während take a full clause or a noun phrase?
In spoken, informal German, these prepositions are very often used with dative instead: "wegen dem Regen" instead of "wegen des Regens." This is common and widely understood, but the genitive form is the one expected in writing and on the B1 exam - use genitive there.
Formal/written: Wegen des Wetters fällt die Reise aus.
Casual spoken: Wegen dem Wetter fällt die Reise aus.
Quick check: which form (genitive or dative) is expected in formal writing and the exam?
1. "despite the cold" (genitive) - trotz der ______
2. Which case do wegen, trotz, während, and außerhalb/innerhalb all trigger?
Aligned with standard Goethe-Zertifikat B1 / telc B1 exam syllabus topics.
Want to practice a sentence with wegen or trotz about something real going on for you? Ask your teaching agent.