Genitive Preposition: infolge

infolge functions as a bridge. It connects a starting event to an outcome. The word literally contains Folge. This means "consequence" or "result" in German. So, you are saying "in consequence of." It always points backward to the trigger. Did a strike happen? Then the trains stopped. The strike is the cause. The stopped trains are the result. infolge sits right before the cause. It demands the Genitive case. This case is the "fancy" one in German. It shows a tight relationship between words. Using it shows you have control over the language. It is like wearing a suit to a grammar party. People will notice your effort. It adds a logical flow to your sentences.

1. 1Building a sentence with infolge is a simple process. Follow these steps carefully.
2. 2Start with the preposition infolge.
3. 3Add a noun that describes the cause.
4. 4Change the article of that noun to Genitive.
5. 5For masculine/neutral nouns, add an -s or -es ending.
6. 6Place the whole block at the start or middle.
7. 7If the cause is masculine: infolge des Sturms (as a result of the storm).
8. 8If it is feminine: infolge der Krise (as a result of the crisis).
9. 9If it is neutral: infolge des Fehlers (as a result of the mistake).
10. 10If it is plural: infolge der Proteste (as a result of the protests).
11. 11What if there is no article? Use von + Dative instead. infolge von Verspätungen (as a result of delays). This is your grammar safety net. It keeps the sentence clear and correct.

Use infolge when you want to be precise. It belongs in formal writing mostly. Write it in your university essays. Use it when reporting a technical bug at work. It is perfect for describing weather-related issues. You will hear it on the evening news. "The road is closed infolge an accident." It sounds much more official than wegen. Use it in job interviews to explain results. "infolge my training, sales increased by ten percent." This shows you understand complex causal links. It is a great tool for storytelling too. It builds a sense of inevitable logic. Use it when one thing leads to another clearly. It is the "logic gate" of German prepositions.

Do not use infolge at a noisy bar. It is too stiff for casual chat. Your friends might think you are a textbook. Avoid it when ordering a simple pizza. "infolge my hunger, I want pepperoni" sounds weird. Use wegen for everyday, casual reasons. infolge is for big, systemic causes. Don't use it if the link is weak. It implies a direct, unavoidable consequence. If you just feel like doing something, skip it. It is not for personal whims or moods. Keep it for facts and events. Think of it like a tuxedo. You don't wear it to buy milk. Save it for the big moments.

Many people accidentally use the Dative case here. They say infolge dem Regen. This is a grammar crime in B2! Always stick to the Genitive des Regens. Another trap is mixing it up with zufolge. zufolge means "according to" and comes after the noun. infolge means "because of" and comes before it. Don't forget the -s on masculine nouns. infolge des Fehler is wrong. It must be infolge des Fehlers. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes. They might get lazy and use Dative. Don't follow their bad habits in your exams! Be the grammar hero you were born to be. Check your noun endings twice every time.

You already know wegen and aufgrund. How is infolge different? wegen is the all-rounder for any reason. aufgrund is for a basis or a fact. infolge is specifically for a sequence of events. It highlights the "aftermath" of an action. durch is also similar but often implies a means. Imagine a window breaking. wegen des Windes (general reason). infolge des Sturms (it was the logical consequence). durch einen Stein (the physical tool used). infolge feels more like a chain reaction. It is the most "dramatic" of the cause prepositions. Use it to add weight to your statements. It makes the result feel heavy and significant.