Proper Usage of “An,” “Auf,” and “In” in German Sentences: Exercises

Mastering the proper use of the prepositions "an," "auf," and "in" is essential for anyone learning German, as these small words can significantly alter the meaning of a sentence. These prepositions are commonly used in various contexts, such as indicating location, direction, or time. Understanding when and how to use each one correctly can be challenging, given that their usage often depends on the nuances of the situation and the cases they govern (dative or accusative). Our exercises are designed to help you grasp these subtleties through practical and context-rich examples. In this section, you will find a variety of exercises aimed at reinforcing your understanding of "an," "auf," and "in." Each exercise will provide you with sentences where you need to choose the correct preposition, ensuring that you not only learn the rules but also how to apply them in real-life scenarios. By practicing regularly, you'll develop a more intuitive sense of which preposition fits best in different contexts, enhancing both your written and spoken German skills. Dive into these exercises to build a solid foundation in using "an," "auf," and "in" with confidence and accuracy.

Exercise 1

1. Ich gehe *in* die Stadt (movement towards a place).

2. Der Schlüssel liegt *auf* dem Tisch (position on a surface).

3. Wir treffen uns *an* der Bushaltestelle (meeting point).

4. Die Katze springt *auf* das Sofa (movement onto a surface).

5. Das Bild hängt *an* der Wand (position on a vertical surface).

6. Sie wohnt *in* einem großen Haus (inside a place).

7. Wir fahren *an* den Strand (destination near water).

8. Der Vogel sitzt *auf* dem Ast (position on a branch).

9. Er arbeitet *in* der Firma (inside a workplace).

10. Das Konzert findet *in* der Halle statt (event location inside).

Exercise 2

1. Ich gehe *in* die Schule (preposition for entering a building).

2. Die Katze sitzt *auf* dem Tisch (preposition for being on a surface).

3. Wir treffen uns *an* der Bushaltestelle (preposition for a specific location or point).

4. Sie wohnt *in* einer kleinen Stadt (preposition for residing within a place).

5. Er stellt das Buch *auf* das Regal (preposition for placing on a surface).

6. Der Hund liegt *auf* dem Sofa (preposition for resting on a surface).

7. Sie wartet *an* der Ecke (preposition for waiting at a specific point).

8. Ich bin *in* der Bibliothek (preposition for being inside a place).

9. Wir essen *im* Restaurant (preposition for dining within a place).

10. Das Bild hängt *an* der Wand (preposition for something attached to a vertical surface).

Exercise 3

1. Am Wochenende gehe ich gerne *in* den Park (preposition for entering a place).

2. Wir treffen uns morgen *auf* dem Marktplatz (preposition for a public square).

3. Das Bild hängt *an* der Wand (preposition for something attached to a vertical surface).

4. Ich bin *in* der Stadt geboren (preposition for being inside a city).

5. Er sitzt *auf* dem Stuhl (preposition for sitting on a surface).

6. Wir warten *an* der Bushaltestelle (preposition for being next to a specific point).

7. Die Kinder spielen *auf* dem Spielplatz (preposition for being on a playground).

8. Der Schlüssel steckt *im* Schloss (preposition for being inside a lock).

9. Sie arbeitet *im* Büro (preposition for being inside an office).

10. Das Restaurant befindet sich *an* der Ecke (preposition for being at a corner).