CLASS 7 · LEARNING KNOWLEDGE
Common Latvian prepositions and matching case forms
How it works
In Latvian, prepositions often determine the form of the following word. In the singular, after ‹bez›, ‹pie› and ‹zem›, the genitive is usually used: ‹bez cukura›, ‹pie tantes›, ‹zem galda›. With ‹uz›, the genitive is used for a stationary location, the accusative for movement: ‹uz galda›, but ‹uz galdu› or ‹uz veikalu›. After ‹caur›, the accusative is used: ‹caur parku›. In the plural, the dative often follows prepositions, for example ‹pie vecākiem›. With ‹ar›, fixed forms are used, such as ‹ar māsu› and ‹ar draugiem›.
Note
Pay attention to the preposition, to singular or plural, and with ‹uz› also to whether there is rest or movement. For example: ‹bez› + genitive singular, ‹caur› + accusative, ‹uz› + genitive for location, but ‹uz› + accusative for movement; in the plural, prepositions are often followed by the dative, as in ‹pie vecākiem›. With ‹ar›, the most effective way to learn common forms is in whole word groups such as ‹ar māsu› and ‹ar draugiem›.
Pay attention to the preposition, to singular or plural, and with ‹uz› also to whether there is rest or movement. For example: ‹bez› + genitive singular, ‹caur› + accusative, ‹uz› + genitive for location, but ‹uz› + accusative for movement; in the plural, prepositions are often followed by the dative, as in ‹pie vecākiem›. With ‹ar›, the most effective way to learn common forms is in whole word groups such as ‹ar māsu› and ‹ar draugiem›.
An example
Which form is correct after the preposition ‹bez›?
After ‹bez›, the genitive follows, e.g. ‹bez piena› (without milk).
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50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: Latvian. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.