Conversational German Quiz: Two Way Prepositions
20 questions · exam conditions
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Two Way PrepositionsQuestion 1 of 20

Which phrase correctly completes the blank? Sie setzt sich   Tisch.

an dem
an den
an der
an das
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Conversational German Quiz

Conversational German Quiz: Two Way Prepositions

Practice Two Way Prepositions in Conversational German with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Two Way Prepositions, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Conversational German.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

Which phrase correctly completes the blank? Sie setzt sich   Tisch.

  1. an dem
  2. an den (correct answer)
  3. an der
  4. an das
Explanation: Sich setzen expresses motion to a place, so it takes the accusative case. Tisch is masculine, and the accusative masculine article is den, giving an den Tisch. The tempting wrong choice is an dem, the dative form, which you would use for a position already at the table, not for the action of sitting down.

Question 2

Which phrase completes: Er setzt das Kind   Sofa?

  1. in der
  2. auf dem
  3. auf das (correct answer)
  4. auf der
Explanation: Setzen expresses placing someone or something somewhere, so the goal is a direction: accusative case. Sofa is neuter (das Sofa), so the appropriate phrase is auf das. The tempting auf dem is dative, used for an already-located position (Er sitzt auf dem Sofa), not for the action of setting someone down.

Question 3

Which phrase correctly completes the blank? Das Brot liegt   Tisch.

  1. auf den
  2. auf dem (correct answer)
  3. auf das
  4. auf der
Explanation: The verb liegen describes where something is, a fixed location, so the two-way preposition auf takes the dative case here. Tisch is masculine, and the masculine dative article is dem: auf dem Tisch. The most tempting mistake is auf den, but that would mean movement onto the table, not lying on it.

Question 4

Which phrase correctly completes the blank? Wir gehen   Haus hinein.

  1. in dem
  2. in das (correct answer)
  3. in den
  4. in der
Explanation: Haus is neuter, and hinein expresses motion into a place, so the preposition in takes the accusative case: in das Haus. The tempting wrong choice is in dem, which is dative and would mean already inside the house, not moving into it.

Question 5

Which phrase completes: Tom sitzt   Park?

  1. in den
  2. in die
  3. in dem (correct answer)
  4. in der
Explanation: Tom sitzt describes where he is, so Park takes the dative after in. Park is masculine, giving in dem, often shortened to im. The tempting wrong choice in den would mean into the park and would require motion, not sitting still.

Question 6

Which phrase completes: Lea wohnt   Schweiz?

  1. in der (correct answer)
  2. in die
  3. in das
  4. in den
Explanation: Switzerland is feminine: die Schweiz. After wohnen, which describes a static location, German uses the dative case, so the phrase is in der Schweiz. The tempting in die would be accusative and implies movement into a place, not living somewhere.

Question 7

Which phrase completes: Der Bus hält   Haltestelle?

  1. an das
  2. an den
  3. an die
  4. an der (correct answer)
Explanation: The verb halten with an takes the dative case when describing a fixed location, so Haltestelle becomes der and the phrase is an der Haltestelle. An die would imply motion toward the stop, but the bus is stopping there, not moving into it. An das and an den also fail because Haltestelle is feminine.

Question 8

Which phrase completes: Er hängt den Mantel   Schrank?

  1. in dem
  2. in den (correct answer)
  3. in das
  4. in der
Explanation: Hängen with a direct object expresses a movement into a place, so in takes the accusative. Schrank is masculine, its accusative form is den, giving in den Schrank. The tempting in dem uses dative, which would describe a location already inside, not the act of hanging something into the closet.

Question 9

Which phrase correctly completes the blank? Ich lege die Zeitung   Tisch.

  1. auf den (correct answer)
  2. auf dem
  3. auf das
  4. auf der
Explanation: Because legen expresses placing something onto a surface, it takes the accusative case. Tisch is masculine, so the accusative form of the definite article is den: auf den Tisch. The tempting choice auf dem uses the dative, which would describe position (already lying there), not the action of laying something down.

Question 10

Which phrase correctly completes the blank? Sie zieht   neue Wohnung.

  1. in dem
  2. in den
  3. in das
  4. in die (correct answer)
Explanation: Ziehen expresses motion into a place, so the preposition in takes the accusative case. Wohnung is feminine, so the accusative article is die: in die neue Wohnung. The tempting mistake is in dem, because in takes the dative for location, but this sentence describes movement, not position.

Question 11

Frau Weber gibt Anweisungen: "Die Kinder spielen draußen   Hof. Rufen Sie sie bitte   Haus, wenn das Essen fertig ist." What prepositions and cases are required?

  1. auf dem / ins (correct answer)
  2. auf den / im
  3. im / ins
  4. ins / im
Explanation: The correct answer is 'auf dem / ins'. 'Auf dem Hof spielen' (dative) describes ongoing activity in the courtyard. 'Ins Haus rufen' (accusative) means to call them into the house, indicating movement from outside to inside. The verb 'rufen' here implies directional movement toward the house interior.

Question 12

Petra beschreibt ihren Arbeitsweg: "Ich parke immer   Straße vor dem Büro und laufe dann   Bürogebäude." Which prepositions and cases complete this daily routine description?

  1. auf der / in dem
  2. auf der / in das (correct answer)
  3. an der / in das
  4. an der / in dem
Explanation: This question tests your understanding of German prepositions with different cases, specifically focusing on movement versus location. When describing daily routines, you need to determine whether each action involves movement toward a destination or staying in a location. For the first blank, Petra parks "on the street" - this describes where she positions her car, indicating location rather than movement. The preposition "auf" (on) takes the dative case when expressing location, so "auf der Straße" is correct. The preposition "an" would suggest parking "at" or "by" the street, which doesn't capture the meaning of parking on the street itself. For the second blank, Petra walks "into the office building" - this clearly indicates movement from outside to inside. When expressing movement toward or into something, you need the accusative case. Therefore "in das Bürogebäude" (into the office building) is correct, while "in dem" (dative) would only work if she were already inside and staying there. Looking at the wrong answers: A) uses "in dem" (dative), suggesting she's already inside rather than walking into the building. C) uses "an der" for parking, which doesn't properly convey parking on the street. D) combines both errors - wrong preposition for parking and wrong case for the movement into the building. Study tip: Remember the key rule for prepositions of location/movement: ask yourself "Where to?" (accusative) versus "Where at?" (dative). Movement toward a destination requires accusative, while being situated somewhere uses dative.

Question 13

Die Mutter ruft: "Wo seid ihr denn? Wir sind schon   Parkplatz angekommen und fahren jetzt   Parkplatz vom Einkaufszentrum." What prepositions complete this driving scenario?

  1. an dem / auf den
  2. auf dem / an den
  3. an dem / an den
  4. auf dem / auf den (correct answer)
Explanation: The correct answer is 'auf dem / auf den'. 'Auf dem Parkplatz angekommen' (dative) means they have arrived and are now located on the parking lot. 'Auf den Parkplatz fahren' (accusative) shows movement - driving onto the shopping center's parking lot. Both use 'auf' because parking lots are surfaces you drive on.

Question 14

Herr Schmidt berichtet über sein Wochenende: "Wir saßen gemütlich   Garten und später sind wir   Haus gegangen, weil es zu kalt wurde." Which option correctly reflects this sequence of events?

  1. in das / in dem
  2. in dem / in dem
  3. in dem / in das (correct answer)
  4. in das / in das
Explanation: This question tests your understanding of German prepositions with movement versus location, specifically when to use accusative versus dative case with "in." The key is recognizing the difference between being somewhere (location = dative) and going somewhere (movement = accusative). In the first blank, Herr Schmidt describes where they were sitting: "Wir saßen gemütlich   Garten" (We sat comfortably   garden). Since "sitzen" indicates a static location, you need dative case: "in dem Garten." In the second blank, they're moving: "sind wir   Haus gegangen" (we went   house). Since "gehen" shows movement toward a destination, you need accusative case: "in das Haus." Option A is backwards - it uses accusative "in das" for the static sitting and dative "in dem" for the movement. Option B uses dative "in dem" for both situations, missing that movement requires accusative case. Option D uses accusative "in das" for both, incorrectly treating the static sitting as movement. Only option C correctly matches the grammar: "in dem" (dative) for location while sitting, and "in das" (accusative) for movement into the house. Remember this pattern: ask yourself "Is someone/something moving TO a place?" If yes, use accusative (in das, in die). If they're already AT a place, use dative (in dem/im, in der). The verb often gives you the clue - "sitzen," "stehen," "liegen" suggest location, while "gehen," "fahren," "laufen" suggest movement.

Question 15

Ein Reiseführer erklärt den Touristen: 'Wenn Sie   das Hotel gehen, finden Sie die Rezeption direkt im Erdgeschoss. Wenn Sie später   dem Hotel sind und Fragen haben, können Sie jederzeit zur Rezeption gehen.'

Welche Präpositionen passen in diese Erklärung?

  1. in das / in dem (correct answer)
  2. in dem / in das
  3. an das / an dem
  4. zu dem / zu das
Explanation: Correct answer A: 'in das Hotel' (accusative) shows movement into the hotel, and 'in dem Hotel' (dative) shows location/being inside the hotel. Option B reverses the cases. Option C uses 'an' which indicates 'at/near' rather than 'inside' the hotel. Option D uses 'zu' incorrectly and has an impossible form 'zu das'.

Question 16

Tom erklärt seiner Freundin, wo er gestern war und was er heute machen wird. Er sagt: 'Gestern war ich   Bibliothek und habe dort drei Stunden gelernt. Heute gehe ich wieder   Bibliothek, aber diesmal treffe ich mich mit meiner Lerngruppe.' Welche Präpositionen passen in die Lücken?

  1. in der / in die (correct answer)
  2. in die / in der
  3. an der / an die
  4. auf der / auf die
Explanation: Correct answer A: 'in der Bibliothek' (dative) indicates location where he was studying, and 'in die Bibliothek' (accusative) indicates movement/direction where he's going. Option B reverses the cases incorrectly. Option C uses 'an' which would be incorrect for being inside a library. Option D uses 'auf' which doesn't fit the context of being inside a building.

Question 17

Lisa beschreibt ihren Tagesablauf: 'Morgens stelle ich meine Tasche immer   den Stuhl neben der Tür. Abends, wenn ich nach Hause komme, liegt sie dann   dem Stuhl und ich kann sie leicht finden.'

Welche Präpositionen vervollständigen Lisas Beschreibung korrekt?

  1. an den / an dem
  2. auf den / auf dem (correct answer)
  3. in den / in dem
  4. an dem / an den
Explanation: Correct answer B: 'auf den Stuhl' (accusative) shows movement/action of placing the bag onto the chair, and 'auf dem Stuhl' (dative) shows location where the bag is lying. Option A uses 'an' which means 'against/next to' rather than 'on top of'. Option C uses 'in' which would mean inside the chair. Option D reverses the cases incorrectly.

Question 18

Herr Schmidt gibt Anweisungen: 'Hängen Sie das Bild bitte   die Wand über dem Sofa. Dort hängt schon ein anderes Bild   der Wand, aber da ist noch Platz.' In welcher Reihenfolge sollten die Präpositionen stehen?

  1. an die / an der (correct answer)
  2. an der / an die
  3. auf die / auf der
  4. in die / in der
Explanation: Correct answer A: 'an die Wand' (accusative) indicates the action of hanging/mounting onto the wall, and 'an der Wand' (dative) indicates location where the other picture already hangs. Option B reverses the cases. Option C uses 'auf' instead of 'an' for vertical wall surfaces. Option D uses 'in' which would mean inside the wall.

Question 19

Ein Koch erklärt seinem Assistenten: 'Stellen Sie den Topf   den Herd und kochen Sie die Suppe. Während die Suppe   dem Herd kocht, können Sie das Gemüse vorbereiten.'

Mit welchen Präpositionen sollte der Assistent diese Anweisung verstehen?

  1. in den / in dem
  2. auf dem / auf den
  3. an den / an dem
  4. auf den / auf dem (correct answer)
Explanation: When you encounter German prepositions with movement versus location, you need to distinguish between wohin (where to) and wo (where). This is a classic two-way preposition scenario that tests whether an action involves movement or static position. In the first blank, "Stellen Sie den Topf   den Herd" describes placing the pot onto the stove - this is movement toward a destination. With movement, you use the accusative case, so "auf den Herd" is correct. The verb "stellen" (to place) signals directional movement. In the second blank, "die Suppe   dem Herd kocht" describes the soup cooking on the stove - this is a static location where something is happening. With location, you use the dative case, so "auf dem Herd" is correct. The soup isn't moving; it's remaining in one place while cooking. Answer A uses "in" (inside), which doesn't make sense since you place a pot on top of a stove, not inside it. Answer B reverses the cases - "auf dem" (dative) for movement and "auf den" (accusative) for location, which is backwards. Answer C uses "an" (at/against), which implies proximity or attachment rather than the "on top of" relationship between pot and stove. Memory tip: With two-way prepositions like "auf," ask yourself "Is something moving to a new location?" If yes, use accusative (den/einen). "Is something staying put?" If yes, use dative (dem/einem). The correct answer is D.

Question 20

Eine Mutter gibt ihrem Kind Anweisungen: 'Leg deine Spielsachen   die Kiste im Kinderzimmer. Wenn alle Spielsachen ordentlich   der Kiste sind, können wir zusammen ein Buch lesen.'

Welche Präpositionen machen diese Anweisung vollständig?

  1. an die / an der
  2. in der / in die
  3. in die / in der (correct answer)
  4. auf die / auf der
Explanation: This question tests your understanding of German two-way prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen) and when they take accusative versus dative case. Two-way prepositions change case depending on whether they express movement toward a destination (accusative) or a static location (dative). In the first blank, the mother is telling her child to put toys INTO the box - this shows movement toward a destination, so you need the accusative case "in die Kiste." The preposition "in" with the feminine noun "Kiste" requires the accusative article "die." For the second blank, the mother describes toys being IN the box (already there, static location), which requires the dative case "in der Kiste." Here "in" with the feminine "Kiste" takes the dative article "der." Answer A (an die / an der) is incorrect because "an" means "at/on/against" and doesn't make sense with putting things inside a box. Answer B (in der / in die) reverses the cases - it suggests the toys are already in the box when being put there, then moving into it when stationary. Answer D (auf die / auf der) uses "auf" meaning "on top of," which changes the meaning from putting toys inside the box to placing them on top of it. Remember this key pattern: accusative case signals movement or direction (wohin? - where to?), while dative case indicates static location or position (wo? - where?). Practice identifying whether an action shows movement toward something or describes where something already is.