Verbs of position + two-case preposition + dative
In German, there are several verbs that differentiate between a position or place and the spatial area that something is in. These verbs most often use a two-case preposition with the dative.
Der Teddy sitzt auf dem Boden.
Der Teddy liegt auf dem Boden.
Der Teddy steht auf dem Boden.
Der Teddy hängt an der Leine.
Directional verbs + accusative + two-case preposition + accusative
As well as the verbs listed above, there are verbs that designate where someone or something has been moved to. The person or the object that has been moved is the accusative object in the sentence or clause; the accusative also follows the two-case preposition.
Emma setzt den Teddy auf den Boden.
Selma legt den Teddy auf den Boden.
Nina stellt den Teddy auf den Boden.
Lisa hängt den Teddy auf die Leine.
The verb hängen
The verb hängen can be used in both cases: if the dative follows a two-case preposition, then it indicates a location, answering the question Wo ...? When the two-case preposition is used with the accusative, then hängen is expressing the direction of movement, as in responding to the question, to where? Wohin ...?
Overview:
| Wo? | Wohin? |
| sitzen | setzen |
| liegen | legen |
| stehen | stellen |
| hängen | hängen |