Why the difference? by db_cisco 25. Jun 2010
Guter Tag, jeder!
Studying and seen that these two sentences are used in the courseware, but wonder why the difference:
1) Ich arbeite an der Schule.
2) Ich arbeite im Krankenhaus.
Wouldn't both occupations, which are inside a facility, be in (im) the facility?
Thanks and please advise.
Dan | Nidhogg 26. Jun 2010
I don't think there is a clear set of rules, but it dependent upon the type of place.
'bei' is also used, z.B. Ich arbeite bei der Post.
I know that 'an' is used with most institutions such as schools and universities.
Sorry I can't be of much help!
Mason | butros 28. Jun 2010
It is not a question of "in an institution" so much as it deals with the gender of the noun in question.
Schule is feminine and therefore, will have an article change from die to der due to the change from the nominative case (die Schule) to the accusative case (der Schule).
On the other hand, the article for Krankenhaus is das. However, here it is being used in the dative and, therefore, will have an article change from das Krankenhaus to dem Krankenhaus. (In this special case, you are combining "in dem Krankenhaus" into "im Krankenhaus").
I hope this helps.
~Peter | Nidhogg 28. Jun 2010
Hi Peter,
I think he was asking why it is 'an der Schule', and not 'in der Schule'. Not about the gender differences, rather the difference in preposition use.
In your explanation you mistakenly say that die changes in the accusative, die does not change to der in the accusative, only in the dative and genitive. I'm sure you had meant to write dative.
Mason | butros 28. Jun 2010
Dear Mason:
You are correct. I do apologize for the misinformation. "Die" does not change in the accusative; it does change in the dative. My fault.
~Peter | fahenderson3 29. Jun 2010
According to Hammer's German Grammar & Usage an is used "with academic and other institutions at which a person is employed.". The examples the book cites are a university, a State Theater, and a church. |
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