Just German Grammar
Welcome - this is the start page
As this site focuses on German grammar, it’s unlikely you’re a complete beginner. This isn’t to say that grammar can’t be helpful for beginners—it certainly can be—but as grammar-focused learning is not the most popular starting point, you’re more likely an advanced learner who has realised that progressing further requires mastering grammar. By now, you probably have a good feel for the language in practice and recognise that understanding grammar is essential for grasping and expressing complex ideas in speaking, reading, and writing.
FAQ A note on mobile phones: Although this site will work on your phone - it will be harder than using a computer because on certain drag and drop exercises, the size of your screen combined with the size of your fingers makes it difficult to see exactly what is going on.
Where to Begin with Grammar?
In German, grammar is built upon the CASE system, a concept inherited from Latin. The Latin case system consists of several individual cases, including:
- -Nominative
- -Accusative
- -Dative
Having experienced asking the question 'But why is it dem Hund? And being answered in an irritated tone of voice 'Because it's DATIVE!' (as if this was any kind of explanation to someone who has no idea what dative means) the need exists to give an explanation that assumes nothing. Therefore, we start with a clean slate. Meet the five animal icons. They may not look like the German Case system - but they will!
Gender and Case in German
German adopts the same three-gender system for nouns as Latin. However, unlike Latin, which changes the spelling of nouns to reflect case, German indicates case through changes in articles.
For instance, German has:
- - Six forms of “the”: der, das, die, den, dem, des
- - Six forms of “a/an”: ein, eine, einen, einem, einer, eines
The choice of article depends on a combination of case and gender. Learning when to use each form involves understanding both the grammatical role (case) and the noun’s gender.
Why CASE Matters in German
CASE is the foundation of German grammar. It provides the framework for understanding the structure of sentences, allowing speakers to convey who is doing what to whom. To build a strong grammatical foundation, we start with understanding subjects and objects:
- First Course: Subject/Object (der, das, die)
- Second Course: Subject/Object (ein, eine, einen)
Mastering these basics sets you up for more complex structures as you deepen your understanding of German grammar. You can now click on the Courses button above and begin.
