B2 · GRAMMAR

B2 prepositions

In formal and written German, more 'corporate' prepositions are used instead of everyday prepositions (wegen, mit, nach): aufgrund (due to), laut (according to), dank (thanks to). Most take the Genitive. They appear very frequently in news, reports, and formal letters; they are important for understanding B2 reading texts.

In this lesson

1. Reason

aufgrund, infolge + Gen = due to, as a result of.

Aufgrund des Streiks fallen Züge aus.

Trains are cancelled due to the strike.

2. Source

laut + Dat/Gen, zufolge + Dat (after the noun) = according to.

Laut Wetterbericht wird es kalt.

According to the weather report, it will be cold.

3. Positive reason

dank + Gen/Dat = thanks to.

Dank deiner Hilfe hat es geklappt.

It worked out thanks to your help.

4. Topic

bezüglich, hinsichtlich + Gen = regarding, concerning.

Bezüglich Ihrer Anfrage ...

Regarding your inquiry ...

5. Means / situation

mithilfe + Gen = with the help of; angesichts + Gen = in view of, considering.

💡 Using a few of these prepositions when writing formal emails (Bezüglich Ihrer E-Mail..., Aufgrund ...) instantly elevates your text to the B2 level.