Using da with prepositions
You can use da + preposition to replace part of a sentence:
da + mit = damit
with it
da + bei = dabei
while doing it/in doing so
da + vor = davor
in front of it
You can use da + preposition to avoid repeating part of a sentence:
Ich stelle das Sofa vor den Schrank. Ich stelle das Sofa davor.
I'm putting the sofa in front of the cupboard. I'm puttting the sofa in front of it.
Ich schlafe immer bei der Arbeit ein. Dabei schlafe ich immer ein.
I always fall asleep when I'm working. I always fall asleep while doing it.
Ich hole einen Stift. Damit kannst du schreiben.
I'll fetch a pen. You can write with it.
The preposition depends on the verb used:
-Warst du auf den Test vorbereitet? -Nein, darauf war ich nicht vorbereitet.
‑Were you prepared for the test? ‑No, I wasn't prepared for it.
-Erinnerst du dich an den Namen? -Nein, ich erinnere mich nicht daran.
‑Can you remember the name? ‑No, I can't remember it.
-Bist du gut in Biologie? -Ja, darin bin ich gut.
‑Are you good at biology? ‑Yeah, I'm good at it.
Notes:
- Remember to add an ‑r‑ if the pronoun ends in a vowel and the preposition starts with a vowel, e.g. darauf (on top of it), darüber (above it), darum (about it).
- Darin, darauf, daran and darunter are often shortened in spoken language to drin, drauf, dran and drunter.
Still facing difficulties with 'Using da with prepositions'? Learn and enhance your German grammar through our online German course. Start with a free test and improve today!
What our users say:
Improve your German further and test Wunderbla, online German lessons.
