Genitive Preposition: aufgrund

This preposition belongs to the Genitive family. In German, prepositions are like bosses. They tell the following noun which case to use. aufgrund is a strict boss. It demands the Genitive case. This case usually shows possession or relationship. Here, it shows the cause of an action. When you use aufgrund, the article changes. Masculine and neuter nouns also get an extra -s. It is like a matching outfit for your noun. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. When you see aufgrund, the light turns Genitive. You must adjust your articles and endings immediately. If you use the Dative case, it sounds informal. In a B2 exam, you want that Genitive polish. It makes your German sound structured and logical.

1. 1Using aufgrund follows a very specific recipe.
2. 2Start with the preposition aufgrund.
3. 3Add the article in the Genitive case.
4. 4For masculine/neuter, use des. For feminine/plural, use der.
5. 5Place your noun after the article.
6. 6Add -s or -es to masculine and neuter nouns.
7. 7If you have an adjective, use the -en ending.
8. 8Example: aufgrund + des + stark + en + Regen + s.
9. 9Result: aufgrund des starken Regens.
10. 10What if there is no article? Use aufgrund von plus the Dative case. This is your "emergency exit" for plural nouns without articles. It keeps the sentence grammatically safe and sound.

Use this when you want to sound professional. It is perfect for business emails. Imagine you are writing to a client. You need to explain a delay. "Due to a technical error" sounds better than "Because of an error". Use it in job interviews to explain your choices. "Due to my interest in marketing..." sounds very focused. It is also great for academic writing. Use it when describing scientific results or historical events. News anchors love this word for weather reports. "Due to the storm, trains are cancelled." It provides a clear cause-and-effect structure. It is the language of logic and facts. If you want to impress a professor, use aufgrund. It shows you can handle complex sentence structures.

Do not use it in very casual settings. Imagine you are at a bar with friends. You would not say, "Due to my thirst, I order beer." That sounds like a robot trying to be human. Use wegen or weil for daily life instead. Avoid using it when a simple verb works better. Do not overstuff your sentences with too many prepositions. It can make your German feel heavy or "bureaucratic". If the reason is a whole sentence, use weil or da. aufgrund only works with nouns or noun phrases. It is a tool for precision, not for every conversation. Use it like a spice, not the main course. Too much of it makes your speech sound stiff.

The biggest mistake is using the Dative case. Many people say aufgrund dem... by accident. This is common in spoken German but wrong in writing. Another mistake is forgetting the -s on the noun. Masculine and neuter nouns need that little tail. aufgrund des Wind is wrong. It must be aufgrund des Windes. People also forget the von when the article is missing. If you just say aufgrund Fehlern, it sounds incomplete. Use aufgrund von Fehlern instead. Watch out for adjective endings too. In the Genitive case, adjectives almost always end in -en. Do not let the Dative -em or -er sneak in. It is a common trap for B2 learners.

How does it differ from wegen? Both mean "because of". However, aufgrund is more formal and specific. wegen is the all-rounder for every situation. Then there is infolge. This means "as a result of". It implies a chronological sequence of events. aufgrund focuses more on the underlying cause or basis. durch is another alternative for "through" or "by". It often describes the means or the medium. aufgrund is strictly for the reason or motivation. Think of aufgrund as the "why" behind a decision. wegen is the general reason. infolge is the aftermath. Choosing the right one shows your nuance. It is like choosing the right shoes for an outfit.