Rare case frames and mixed declension
Handle genitive complements, double accusatives and nouns that differ from the regular weak pattern.
The rule
Learn uncommon verb frames and noun exceptions as complete phrases. Genitive-selecting verbs and mixed declensions need lexical checking, not a single general ending rule.
einer Sache bedürfen · jemanden etwas lehren · des Namens / des Herzens
Formal verbs such as bedürfen, gedenken and sich erinnern in its formal genitive construction can select a genitive complement.
Other constructions of the same verb may use a preposition; memorise the meaning and register together with the frame.
fragen and some uses of lehren permit two accusatives. lehren also has established alternative constructions; do not generalise one frame to all contexts.
Core forms and structures
Use this table as a reference, then retrieve the forms without looking.
| Form | Function | German example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| einer | bedürfen selects genitive: einer Erklärung. | Der Vorschlag bedarf einer Erklärung. | The proposal requires an explanation. |
| der | Formal gedenken selects genitive: der Opfer. | Wir gedenken der Opfer. | We commemorate the victims. |
| des | beschuldigen takes an accusative person and genitive allegation. | Sie beschuldigt ihn des Betrugs. | She accuses him of fraud. |
| mich | This taught lehren frame takes the person in accusative. | Der Lehrer lehrt mich die Grundlagen. | The teacher teaches me the basics. |
| Namens | Mixed noun Name has genitive singular Namens. | Die Bedeutung des Namens ist unklar. | The meaning of the name is unclear. |
German examples with English meanings
Der Vorschlag bedarf einer Erklärung.
The proposal requires an explanation.
bedürfen selects genitive: einer Erklärung.
Wir gedenken der Opfer.
We commemorate the victims.
Formal gedenken selects genitive: der Opfer.
Sie beschuldigt ihn des Betrugs.
She accuses him of fraud.
beschuldigen takes an accusative person and genitive allegation.
Der Lehrer lehrt mich die Grundlagen.
The teacher teaches me the basics.
This taught lehren frame takes the person in accusative.
Die Bedeutung des Namens ist unklar.
The meaning of the name is unclear.
Mixed noun Name has genitive singular Namens.
Er folgt seinem Herzen.
He follows his heart.
Die Untersuchung des Herzens dauert lange.
The examination of the heart takes a long time.
Ich frage dich etwas Persönliches.
I ask you something personal.
Wir erinnern uns des Verstorbenen.
We remember the deceased.
Sie nennt den Namen des Autors.
She names the author.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Er folgt seinem Herz.
Correct: Er folgt seinem Herzen.
The standard dative model is Herzen; technical Herz also occurs.
Incorrect: Die Untersuchung des Herzes dauert lange.
Correct: Die Untersuchung des Herzens dauert lange.
The usual genitive is Herzens; rare Herzes is attested.
Incorrect: Ich frage dir etwas Persönliches.
Correct: Ich frage dich etwas Persönliches.
fragen takes the person in accusative: dich.
Incorrect: Wir erinnern uns den Verstorbenen.
Correct: Wir erinnern uns des Verstorbenen.
This formal erinnern construction takes a genitive object.
Incorrect: Sie nennt den Name des Autors.
Correct: Sie nennt den Namen des Autors.
Mixed noun Name takes -n in accusative singular.
Details and useful distinctions
Mixed nouns such as Name have -n outside nominative singular and an additional genitive -s: den Namen, des Namens.
Herz is neuter with special inflection: des Herzens, dem Herzen, normally das Herz in nominative and accusative singular.
Practise this grammar
Identify lexical frame and noun inflection separately; a genitive article does not eliminate the noun’s required ending.
Open Rare case frames and mixed declension exercises →
For source references and editorial level notes, see the grammar reference. You can report a correction if an explanation or example seems wrong.