Diese Seite in deiner Sprache

English

فارسی

العربية

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 preposition #1,500 am häufigsten 12 Min. Lesezeit

aufgrund

Top 1,500

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps aufgrund in 30 Sekunden

Erklärung aufgrund in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just beginning your journey into the German language. The word 'aufgrund' is generally considered too advanced for everyday A1 conversations, as it involves complex grammar rules like the genitive case. However, it is highly beneficial to recognize this word visually, as you will frequently encounter it on public signs, official notices, and basic news headlines. When you see 'aufgrund', you should immediately understand that it means 'because of' or 'due to'. For example, if you are at a train station and see a sign that says 'Zug fällt aus aufgrund von Schnee' (Train is canceled due to snow), knowing this single word helps you understand the reason for the disruption, even if you do not understand every other grammatical detail in the sentence. It acts as a crucial signpost indicating cause and effect. At this stage, you do not need to worry about producing this word in your own speaking or writing. Instead, focus on building your passive vocabulary. When you want to say 'because' in your own sentences, you should stick to simpler words like 'weil' or 'denn', which are much easier to use and perfectly appropriate for beginner-level communication. Just remember: 'aufgrund' is a formal way of saying 'because of', and recognizing it will help you navigate public spaces and read basic informational texts in German-speaking countries.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

As you progress to the A2 level, your understanding of German sentence structure expands, and you start to encounter more formal texts. While 'aufgrund' is still primarily a word you will read rather than speak, you should now have a firmer grasp of its function. It is a preposition that means 'because of' or 'due to'. Unlike 'weil', which connects two full sentences (e.g., 'Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es regnet'), 'aufgrund' connects a sentence to a noun phrase (e.g., 'Ich bleibe aufgrund des Regens zu Hause'). This is a very important distinction. At the A2 level, you are learning about different cases, mostly nominative, accusative, and dative. 'Aufgrund' introduces you to the genitive case, which shows possession or, in this case, is required by certain formal prepositions. You might start noticing the '-s' or '-es' endings on masculine and neuter nouns that follow 'aufgrund'. For example, 'aufgrund des Wetters' (due to the weather). If you are reading a simple news article or an email from a company, you will likely see this structure. While you can still rely on 'wegen' for your own spoken German, trying to understand how 'aufgrund' changes the nouns that follow it is a great stepping stone towards B1. It prepares you for the more complex grammatical structures that are essential for intermediate fluency.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

The B1 level is where 'aufgrund' becomes an active and essential part of your German vocabulary. At this intermediate stage, you are expected to express reasons and consequences clearly, not just in casual conversation, but also in more formal writing, such as emails, essays, or reports. 'Aufgrund' is the perfect tool for this. It means 'because of' or 'on the basis of' and is a formal alternative to 'wegen'. The critical grammatical rule you must master at B1 is that 'aufgrund' requires the genitive case. This means you must change the articles (der -> des, die -> der, das -> des, die (pl) -> der) and add an '-s' or '-es' to masculine and neuter nouns. For example, 'aufgrund des starken Regens' (due to the heavy rain) or 'aufgrund der neuen Regeln' (due to the new rules). Using the genitive correctly demonstrates a solid command of German grammar. Furthermore, you need to know how to use it when the genitive cannot be clearly marked, such as with plural nouns without articles. In these cases, you must use 'von' + dative, as in 'aufgrund von Problemen' (due to problems). Mastering 'aufgrund' allows you to write more concisely, using nominal style (Nominalstil) instead of always relying on subordinate clauses with 'weil' or 'da', which makes your German sound much more natural and proficient.

At the B2 level, your goal is to achieve a high degree of fluency and appropriateness in various registers. 'Aufgrund' is indispensable for the formal register, which you must master for professional and academic contexts. You should now be entirely comfortable with the genitive declension it requires and the 'von + dative' exception for unmarked plurals. At B2, the focus shifts from simply getting the grammar right to using the word strategically to improve the flow and sophistication of your texts. You should be actively converting verbal constructions (using 'weil' or 'da') into nominal constructions (using 'aufgrund' + noun) to achieve the 'Nominalstil' preferred in written German. For instance, instead of writing 'Da das Projekt erfolgreich war, bekamen wir einen Bonus', you elevate the text by writing 'Aufgrund des Projekterfolgs bekamen wir einen Bonus'. This makes your writing tighter and more professional. Additionally, you should understand the subtle differences between 'aufgrund' and its synonyms like 'infolge' (as a result of) or 'wegen' (because of). While 'wegen' is fine for spoken German, 'aufgrund' is your primary choice for essays, business correspondence, and formal presentations. You should also be comfortable placing the 'aufgrund' phrase at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, ensuring you correctly apply the V2 rule by placing the verb immediately after the prepositional phrase.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C1 advanced level, your use of 'aufgrund' should be effortless, precise, and highly nuanced. You are no longer just applying a grammar rule; you are using the language as a precise instrument. In academic, legal, or highly formal business contexts, 'aufgrund' is the standard preposition for establishing causality and justification. You should be able to navigate complex noun phrases following 'aufgrund', including extended participial attributes. For example: 'Aufgrund der vom Vorstand gestern unerwartet beschlossenen Maßnahmen...' (Due to the measures unexpectedly decided upon by the board yesterday...). You must also demonstrate a clear understanding of when to choose 'aufgrund' over other causal prepositions to convey exact meaning. You know that 'aufgrund' points to the logical basis or reason, whereas 'infolge' points strictly to the consequence or aftermath. You are also aware of the historical spelling 'auf Grund' and know that while 'aufgrund' is the modern standard, 'auf Grund von' is still acceptable and sometimes preferred in specific legal phrasing. At this level, any error in case assignment (e.g., slipping into the dative without 'von') is a significant stylistic flaw. Your mastery of 'aufgrund' contributes to the overall cohesion, formality, and authoritative tone of your advanced German discourse.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C2 level, representing near-native mastery, your deployment of 'aufgrund' is completely intuitive and stylistically flawless. You understand its role not just as a preposition, but as a crucial element of German rhetorical structure, particularly in highly specialized fields such as jurisprudence, advanced academia, and executive-level corporate communication. You effortlessly manipulate complex, nested genitive structures following 'aufgrund', such as 'aufgrund des Mangels an überzeugenden empirischen Beweisen' (due to the lack of convincing empirical evidence). You are acutely aware of the subtle stylistic implications of choosing 'aufgrund' over 'wegen' even in higher-register spoken German, using it to deliberately inject a tone of unassailable objectivity and formal distance into your arguments. Furthermore, you understand the precise legalistic nuances where 'aufgrund' establishes a binding foundation for an action (e.g., 'aufgrund des § 433 BGB' - on the basis of § 433 of the Civil Code). At this pinnacle of language proficiency, 'aufgrund' is a tool you use to craft elegant, dense, and perfectly structured 'Nominalstil' sentences that meet the highest standards of native-level German prose, demonstrating absolute control over causality, case governance, and register.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

aufgrund in 30 Sekunden

Means 'because of', 'due to', or 'on the basis of'.
Always requires the genitive case (e.g., aufgrund des Wetters).
Use 'von' + dative for plural nouns without articles.
Highly formal; used in writing, news, and business.

The German preposition 'aufgrund' is a fundamental linguistic tool used to express causality, translating most directly to 'because of', 'due to', or 'on the basis of' in English. Understanding its application is crucial for learners aiming to achieve intermediate to advanced proficiency, as it elevates the discourse from simple coordinate clauses using 'denn' or subordinate clauses with 'weil' to more sophisticated prepositional phrases. When we analyze the morphological composition of 'aufgrund', we see it originates from the combination of the preposition 'auf' (on) and the noun 'Grund' (reason/ground). Historically, this was written as two separate words, 'auf Grund', often followed by the preposition 'von'. Following the German spelling reforms, the unified word 'aufgrund' became the standard, although 'auf Grund' remains permissible in certain contexts. The primary grammatical feature of 'aufgrund' is that it governs the genitive case. This means that the noun phrase following it must be declined in the genitive. For instance, 'aufgrund des schlechten Wetters' (due to the bad weather). This requirement often intimidates learners, but mastering it is a gateway to formal and professional German.

Causality: It establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship between an external factor and the main action of the sentence.

Wir mussten das Spiel aufgrund des Regens absagen.

Furthermore, 'aufgrund' is highly prevalent in written German, particularly in journalistic, legal, academic, and business contexts. It provides a concise way to state reasons without the need for a full subordinate clause, thereby streamlining the sentence structure. In everyday spoken German, speakers might sometimes substitute it with 'wegen', which is also a genitive preposition but is frequently used with the dative in colloquial speech. However, 'aufgrund' maintains a strictly formal register and is rarely used with the dative unless absolutely necessary (e.g., when the genitive plural cannot be distinguished).

Register: Formal, written, professional, and academic contexts heavily favor this preposition over casual alternatives.

Das Projekt wurde aufgrund fehlender Mittel eingestellt.

The ability to seamlessly integrate 'aufgrund' into your vocabulary signifies a transition from basic communication to nuanced expression. It allows the speaker to construct complex arguments, outline consequences, and justify actions with precision.

Syntax: It can be placed at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, or in the middle field according to standard word order rules.

Aufgrund der aktuellen Lage bleiben die Türen geschlossen.

In summary, 'aufgrund' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a structural pillar for advanced German syntax. By mastering its meaning and the grammatical rules that govern it, learners unlock a new level of fluency and sophistication in their language journey.

Er kündigte aufgrund persönlicher Differenzen.

Die Straßen sind aufgrund von Bauarbeiten gesperrt.

Using 'aufgrund' correctly requires a solid understanding of German case declension, specifically the genitive case. The primary rule is that 'aufgrund' must be followed by a noun phrase in the genitive. This involves changing the articles (der/das becomes des, die becomes der, die plural becomes der) and adding an '-s' or '-es' to masculine and neuter nouns. For example, 'der starke Wind' (the strong wind) becomes 'aufgrund des starken Windes' (due to the strong wind). This grammatical transformation is essential for the sentence to be considered correct in standard German.

Genitive Rule: Always use the genitive case for the noun phrase immediately following the preposition to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Der Flug fiel aufgrund eines technischen Fehlers aus.

However, there is a notable exception to the genitive rule. When 'aufgrund' is followed by a plural noun that has no article or adjective to indicate its case, the genitive cannot be visibly marked. In such instances, German grammar dictates the use of 'von' plus the dative case to avoid ambiguity. For example, 'aufgrund von Problemen' (due to problems). Here, 'Problemen' is in the dative plural, marked by the '-n' ending, because the genitive plural 'Probleme' would look identical to the nominative and accusative, leading to a lack of clarity.

Von + Dative: A necessary workaround in plural forms without articles to ensure the case is grammatically clear to the reader or listener.

Die Veranstaltung wurde aufgrund von Sicherheitsbedenken verschoben.

Regarding sentence structure, 'aufgrund' forms a prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial of reason. Like other adverbials in German, it can be placed in the middle field (Mittelfeld) of the sentence, typically following the Time-Manner-Place (TeKaMoLo) rule, where it acts as the 'Kausal' (causal) element. Alternatively, for emphasis, the entire 'aufgrund' phrase can be moved to the first position (Vorfeld). When this happens, the standard V2 (verb second) rule applies, meaning the conjugated verb must immediately follow the prepositional phrase, pushing the subject to the third position.

Word Order: Flexibility in placement allows for emphasis, but the V2 rule must strictly be adhered to when placed at the beginning.

Aufgrund seines Alters geht er früher in Rente.

Finally, it is important to note that 'aufgrund' is typically followed by nouns representing events, states, or abstract concepts rather than people. While one might say 'wegen dir' (colloquial) or 'deinetwegen' (formal) for 'because of you', using 'aufgrund' with personal pronouns (e.g., 'aufgrund deiner') is extremely rare and sounds highly unnatural. Stick to using it with nouns like 'Wetter', 'Krankheit', 'Erfolg', or 'Entscheidung'.

Sie gewann den Preis aufgrund ihrer harten Arbeit.

Das Geschäft schließt aufgrund von Personalmangel.

The preposition 'aufgrund' is deeply embedded in the formal registers of the German language, making it a staple in environments where precision, professionalism, and objectivity are paramount. You are most likely to encounter this word in written media, such as newspapers, magazines, and online news portals. Journalists frequently rely on 'aufgrund' to concisely explain the causes of events without bogging down the sentence with lengthy subordinate clauses. For example, a news report might state that a concert was canceled 'aufgrund einer Unwetterwarnung' (due to a severe weather warning). This usage allows for efficient information delivery, which is a hallmark of journalistic writing.

Journalism: Used extensively in news reporting to provide succinct explanations for events, cancellations, or political decisions.

Der Zug hat aufgrund einer Stellwerksstörung Verspätung.

Beyond journalism, 'aufgrund' is ubiquitous in business and corporate communications. Whether it is in official company emails, annual reports, press releases, or formal letters to clients, this preposition conveys a tone of serious professionalism. A company might explain a delay in shipping 'aufgrund von Lieferengpässen' (due to supply bottlenecks) or announce a new strategy 'aufgrund veränderter Marktbedingungen' (on the basis of changed market conditions). In these contexts, using 'weil' (because) might sound too conversational or simplistic, whereas 'aufgrund' elevates the language to match the corporate environment.

Business: Essential for corporate correspondence, reports, and formal announcements where a professional tone is required.

Wir müssen den Termin aufgrund eines Notfalls verschieben.

Furthermore, the legal and academic spheres are heavily reliant on 'aufgrund'. In legal documents, contracts, and court rulings, causality must be established with absolute clarity and formal rigidity. A verdict might be reached 'aufgrund der Beweislage' (based on the evidence). Similarly, in academic papers, researchers use it to draw conclusions from data, stating that certain results occurred 'aufgrund spezifischer Variablen' (due to specific variables). The academic register demands nominal style (Nominalstil), which favors nouns and prepositions over verbs and conjunctions, making 'aufgrund' an indispensable tool for scholars and students alike.

Academic/Legal: Forms the backbone of causal argumentation in scholarly articles, legal judgments, and official documentation.

Der Antrag wurde aufgrund eines Formfehlers abgelehnt.

While it is less common in casual, everyday speech among friends—where 'wegen' or 'weil' are preferred—you will still hear 'aufgrund' in spoken German during formal presentations, news broadcasts, public announcements (like at train stations), and serious discussions.

Bitte beachten Sie die Änderungen aufgrund des Feiertags.

Er ist aufgrund seiner Erfahrung der beste Kandidat.

When learners begin incorporating 'aufgrund' into their German vocabulary, several common pitfalls frequently occur, primarily revolving around case declension, structural placement, and register mismatch. The most prevalent error is the failure to use the genitive case. Because many learners are more comfortable with the dative or accusative cases, they often incorrectly apply them after 'aufgrund'. For example, saying 'aufgrund dem schlechten Wetter' (dative) instead of the correct 'aufgrund des schlechten Wetters' (genitive). This mistake immediately marks the speaker or writer as a non-native or inexperienced learner, as the genitive is strictly required in standard German for this preposition.

Case Error: Using the dative case instead of the genitive is the most frequent grammatical mistake associated with this word.

Falsch: aufgrund dem Regen. Richtig: aufgrund des Regens.

Another significant area of confusion arises when dealing with plural nouns that lack an article. Learners often try to force a genitive construction where it is grammatically impossible to show the case. For instance, writing 'aufgrund Problemen' is incorrect because the genitive plural cannot be marked here. The correct approach, which many learners forget, is to insert 'von' and use the dative: 'aufgrund von Problemen'. Failing to use 'von' in these specific instances leads to grammatically incomplete and awkward sentences.

Missing 'von': Omitting 'von' before article-less plural nouns results in an unidentifiable case structure.

Die Straße ist aufgrund von Bauarbeiten gesperrt. (Not: aufgrund Bauarbeiten)

Furthermore, learners sometimes confuse 'aufgrund' with conjunctions like 'weil' or 'da'. 'Aufgrund' is a preposition, meaning it must be followed by a noun phrase, not a full clause with a subject and a conjugated verb. Writing 'aufgrund es regnet' (because it is raining) is a severe structural error. The correct translation would be 'weil es regnet' or, using the preposition, 'aufgrund des Regens'. Understanding the difference between a prepositional phrase and a subordinate clause is vital for correct German syntax.

Structural Confusion: Treating a preposition like a conjunction disrupts the entire syntactic structure of the German sentence.

Wir bleiben drinnen aufgrund der Kälte. (Not: aufgrund es kalt ist)

Lastly, there is the issue of register. While not grammatically incorrect, using 'aufgrund' in highly informal, casual conversations with friends can sound overly stiff and unnatural. In spoken German, 'wegen' is much more common and natural for expressing 'because of'. Reserving 'aufgrund' for writing or formal speech ensures that your language sounds authentic and contextually appropriate.

Er fehlt heute aufgrund einer Krankheit.

Das Konzert entfällt aufgrund der geringen Nachfrage.

The German language offers a rich variety of words to express causality, and understanding the nuances between 'aufgrund' and its synonyms is key to mastering the language. The most direct and common synonym is 'wegen'. Both mean 'because of' and both technically require the genitive case in standard German. However, 'wegen' is much more versatile in everyday spoken language, where it is frequently and acceptably used with the dative case (e.g., 'wegen dem Wetter'). 'Aufgrund', on the other hand, remains strictly formal and almost exclusively bound to the genitive. Therefore, 'wegen' is your go-to for daily conversation, while 'aufgrund' is reserved for writing and formal contexts.

Wegen vs. Aufgrund: 'Wegen' is common in both speech and writing and often takes the dative in speech; 'aufgrund' is formal and strictly genitive.

Er kam zu spät aufgrund des Staus. (Formal)

Another closely related preposition is 'infolge', which translates to 'as a result of' or 'due to'. While 'aufgrund' simply states the reason or basis for something, 'infolge' places a stronger emphasis on the direct consequence or the chronological sequence of events. For example, 'infolge des Unfalls' highlights that what follows is a direct aftermath of the accident. 'Aufgrund' is broader and can be used for logical reasons, not just physical consequences. Both require the genitive case.

Infolge: Focuses heavily on the consequence or aftermath of an event, rather than just the underlying reason.

Die Brücke stürzte aufgrund von Materialermüdung ein.

'Dank' is another causal preposition, meaning 'thanks to'. It is used exclusively for positive reasons or outcomes. You would say 'dank deiner Hilfe' (thanks to your help), but you would never say 'dank des Unfalls' (thanks to the accident) unless you are being highly sarcastic. 'Aufgrund' is neutral and can be used for both positive and negative reasons, making it more universally applicable when stating facts.

Dank: A causal preposition that carries a strictly positive connotation, unlike the neutral 'aufgrund'.

Das Projekt war aufgrund der guten Planung ein Erfolg.

Finally, there are prepositions like 'aus' and 'vor', which can also express reason but are used in very specific, often emotional or physical contexts. 'Aus' is used for internal motivations (e.g., 'aus Liebe' - out of love), while 'vor' is used for physical reactions to emotions or external stimuli (e.g., 'vor Angst zittern' - to shake from fear). 'Aufgrund' is much more objective and detached, dealing with external facts, logical deductions, and formal justifications rather than internal emotional states.

Sie handelte aufgrund der Anweisungen ihres Chefs.

Der Vertrag wurde aufgrund von Vertragsbruch gekündigt.

How Formal Is It?

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

The Genitive Case Declension

Prepositions Governing the Genitive

Nominalization (Nominalstil vs. Verbalstil)

Word Order: The V2 Rule with Prepositional Phrases

The use of 'von' + Dative as a Genitive substitute

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Beispiele nach Niveau

Der Zug hält nicht aufgrund von Schnee.

The train is not stopping due to snow.

Used here with 'von' + Dative for a simple plural/mass noun concept.

Geschlossen aufgrund von Krankheit.

Closed due to illness.

A very common sign you will see in Germany.

Aufgrund des Wetters bleiben wir hier.

Because of the weather, we are staying here.

Notice how 'das Wetter' changes to 'des Wetters'.

Kein Strom aufgrund des Sturms.

No power due to the storm.

'Der Sturm' becomes 'des Sturms' in the genitive.

Pause aufgrund von Regen.

Break due to rain.

Simple noun phrase without an article.

Aufgrund des Fehlers geht es nicht.

Because of the error, it doesn't work.

'Der Fehler' changes to 'des Fehlers'.

Verspätung aufgrund von Stau.

Delay due to traffic jam.

Common traffic announcement.

Wir warten aufgrund des Regens.

We are waiting because of the rain.

Genitive case applied to 'der Regen'.

Ich komme später aufgrund der Arbeit.

I am coming later because of work.

'Die Arbeit' becomes 'der Arbeit' in the genitive.

Aufgrund des Preises kaufe ich es nicht.

Because of the price, I am not buying it.

'Der Preis' becomes 'des Preises'.

Das Spiel endet aufgrund der Dunkelheit.

The game is ending due to darkness.

Feminine noun 'die Dunkelheit' takes 'der' in genitive.

Wir fahren nicht aufgrund des Schnees.

We are not driving because of the snow.

Masculine noun 'der Schnee' takes 'des Schnees'.

Aufgrund von Problemen ist die Straße zu.

Due to problems, the street is closed.

Plural without article requires 'von' + Dative.

Er fehlt heute aufgrund eines Termins.

He is absent today due to an appointment.

Indefinite article 'ein' becomes 'eines'.

Aufgrund der Kälte trage ich eine Jacke.

Because of the cold, I am wearing a jacket.

'Die Kälte' becomes 'der Kälte'.

Der Test fällt aus aufgrund der Ferien.

The test is canceled due to the holidays.

Plural 'die Ferien' becomes 'der Ferien'.

Aufgrund des starken Regens wurde das Konzert abgesagt.

Due to the heavy rain, the concert was canceled.

Adjective 'stark' takes the '-en' ending in the genitive.

Die Firma schließt aufgrund von finanziellen Schwierigkeiten.

The company is closing due to financial difficulties.

Plural without article uses 'von' + Dative.

Er hat den Job aufgrund seiner guten Noten bekommen.

He got the job on the basis of his good grades.

Possessive pronoun 'seine' becomes 'seiner' in feminine plural genitive.

Aufgrund der aktuellen Situation müssen wir flexibel bleiben.

Due to the current situation, we must remain flexible.

'Die aktuelle Situation' becomes 'der aktuellen Situation'.

Wir haben uns aufgrund eines Missverständnisses gestritten.

We argued because of a misunderstanding.

Neuter noun 'das Missverständnis' takes 'eines Missverständnisses'.

Aufgrund des hohen Verkehrsaufkommens dauerte die Fahrt länger.

Due to the high volume of traffic, the trip took longer.

Compound noun in the genitive: 'des hohen Verkehrsaufkommens'.

Sie wurde aufgrund ihrer langjährigen Erfahrung befördert.

She was promoted due to her many years of experience.

Feminine genitive with possessive and adjective: 'ihrer langjährigen Erfahrung'.

Aufgrund von Bauarbeiten ist diese Strecke gesperrt.

Due to construction work, this route is closed.

Standard phrase using 'von' + Dative for an unmarked plural.

Aufgrund der anhaltenden Dürre drohen in dieser Region Ernteausfälle.

Due to the persistent drought, crop failures threaten this region.

Advanced vocabulary 'anhaltende Dürre' in the genitive.

Der Antrag wurde aufgrund unzureichender Beweise abgelehnt.

The application was rejected due to insufficient evidence.

Genitive plural without an article can sometimes drop 'von' if the adjective clearly shows the case ('unzureichender').

Aufgrund veränderter Marktbedingungen musste die Strategie angepasst werden.

Due to changed market conditions, the strategy had to be adjusted.

Genitive plural marked by the adjective 'veränderter'.

Er trat aufgrund von Differenzen mit dem Vorstand von seinem Amt zurück.

He resigned from his post due to differences with the board.

'Von' + Dative used because 'Differenzen' has no article or adjective.

Aufgrund des demografischen Wandels fehlt es an Fachkräften.

Due to demographic change, there is a lack of skilled workers.

Formal academic/societal topic using genitive.

Die Entscheidung fiel aufgrund einer sorgfältigen Analyse aller Daten.

The decision was made on the basis of a careful analysis of all data.

Nested genitive: 'einer sorgfältigen Analyse' (genitive 1) 'aller Daten' (genitive 2).

Aufgrund der Komplexität des Themas benötigen wir mehr Zeit.

Due to the complexity of the topic, we need more time.

Another nested genitive structure common in formal German.

Maßnahmen wurden aufgrund der steigenden Infektionszahlen verschärft.

Measures were tightened due to the rising infection numbers.

Participle used as an adjective 'steigenden' in the genitive.

Aufgrund der restriktiven Geldpolitik der Zentralbank verlangsamte sich das Wirtschaftswachstum.

Due to the restrictive monetary policy of the central bank, economic growth slowed down.

Highly formal economic context with extended genitive attributes.

Der Angeklagte wurde aufgrund mangelnder Beweiskraft der Indizien freigesprochen.

The defendant was acquitted due to the lack of evidentiary value of the circumstantial evidence.

Legal register, complex nested genitives ('mangelnder Beweiskraft der Indizien').

Aufgrund der stetig voranschreitenden Globalisierung verschmelzen kulturelle Grenzen zusehends.

Due to steadily advancing globalization, cultural boundaries are visibly merging.

Academic style using a present participle ('voranschreitenden') as an adjective.

Das Projekt scheiterte letztlich aufgrund von gravierenden Kommunikationsdefiziten innerhalb des Teams.

The project ultimately failed due to severe communication deficits within the team.

'Von' + Dative used with a complex compound noun in plural.

Aufgrund der Tatsache, dass die Frist verstrichen war, wurde der Einspruch abgewiesen.

Due to the fact that the deadline had expired, the appeal was dismissed.

Using 'aufgrund der Tatsache, dass...' to connect to a subordinate clause.

Die Evakuierung erfolgte aufgrund einer akuten Gefährdungslage durch austretende Chemikalien.

The evacuation took place due to an acute threat situation from leaking chemicals.

Official administrative language (Behördendeutsch).

Aufgrund seiner herausragenden Verdienste um die Wissenschaft wurde ihm der Preis verliehen.

He was awarded the prize on the basis of his outstanding contributions to science.

Formal ceremonial language.

Die Verhandlungen gerieten aufgrund unüberbrückbarer Differenzen ins Stocken.

The negotiations stalled due to irreconcilable differences.

High-level political/diplomatic vocabulary.

Aufgrund der in § 433 BGB normierten Pflichten hat der Verkäufer die Sache frei von Sachmängeln zu übergeben.

On the basis of the duties standardized in § 433 of the Civil Code, the seller must hand over the item free of material defects.

Strict legal phrasing with an extended participial attribute ('der in § 433 BGB normierten').

Die Theorie wurde aufgrund neuerer empirischer Befunde, die den bisherigen Paradigmen widersprechen, verworfen.

The theory was discarded on the basis of more recent empirical findings that contradict previous paradigms.

Academic discourse, using genitive plural marked by the adjective 'neuerer'.

Aufgrund der eklatanten Diskrepanz zwischen Soll- und Ist-Zustand bedarf es einer sofortigen Intervention.

Due to the glaring discrepancy between the target and actual state, immediate intervention is required.

Corporate management terminology, highly formal.

Der Rücktritt des Ministers erfolgte aufgrund von Enthüllungen, deren Tragweite anfangs unterschätzt worden war.

The minister's resignation occurred due to revelations whose scope had initially been underestimated.

Complex sentence structure combining 'aufgrund von' with a relative clause in the genitive ('deren').

Aufgrund der inhärenten Volatilität des Marktes sind langfristige Prognosen mit äußerster Vorsicht zu genießen.

Due to the inherent volatility of the market, long-term forecasts must be treated with extreme caution.

Financial sector terminology, elegant nominal style.

Das Urteil erging aufgrund einer restriktiven Auslegung der einschlägigen Rechtsnormen.

The judgment was issued on the basis of a restrictive interpretation of the relevant legal norms.

Juridical register, precise use of genitive attributes.

Aufgrund der Kumulation widriger Umstände sah sich die Geschäftsführung zur Insolvenzanmeldung gezwungen.

Due to the accumulation of adverse circumstances, the management saw itself forced to file for insolvency.

Sophisticated business German expressing a chain of events.

Die linguistische Analyse fokussiert sich auf Sprachwandelphänomene aufgrund von Sprachkontakt.

The linguistic analysis focuses on phenomena of language change due to language contact.

Academic linguistic context, concise use of 'von' + Dative.

Synonyme

wegen infolge dank aus vor kraft anlässlich mangels

Gegenteile

trotz ungeachtet obgleich obwohl

Häufige Kollokationen

aufgrund dessen

aufgrund von

aufgrund der Tatsache

aufgrund mangelnder

aufgrund fehlender

aufgrund der aktuellen

aufgrund seiner

aufgrund ihrer

aufgrund des hohen

aufgrund schwerer

Häufige Phrasen

aufgrund von Krankheit

aufgrund des Wetters

aufgrund der Situation

aufgrund von Bauarbeiten

aufgrund technischer Probleme

aufgrund der Tatsache, dass

aufgrund mangelnder Beweise

aufgrund der hohen Nachfrage

aufgrund von Personalmangel

aufgrund unvorhergesehener Umstände

Wird oft verwechselt mit

aufgrund vs wegen

aufgrund vs weil

aufgrund vs da

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"aufgrund der Aktenlage"

"aufgrund von Höherer Gewalt"

"aufgrund von Tatsachen"

"aufgrund guten Glaubens"

"aufgrund von Indizien"

"aufgrund des Alters"

"aufgrund der Umstände"

"aufgrund von Erfahrung"

"aufgrund von Hörensagen"

"aufgrund der Rechtslage"

Leicht verwechselbar

aufgrund vs

Satzmuster

Registriere dich kostenlos, um alle Beispiele zu sehen

So verwendest du es

note

While 'auf Grund' (two words) is technically still allowed, the unified spelling 'aufgrund' is heavily preferred in modern German and should be your default choice to avoid looking outdated.

Häufige Fehler

Using the dative case instead of the genitive (e.g., 'aufgrund dem Wetter' instead of 'aufgrund des Wetters').
Forgetting to use 'von' with article-less plural nouns (e.g., writing 'aufgrund Problemen' instead of 'aufgrund von Problemen').
Following 'aufgrund' with a full sentence containing a conjugated verb, confusing it with 'weil'.
Using 'aufgrund' with personal pronouns (e.g., 'aufgrund deiner' instead of 'deinetwegen').
Failing to apply the V2 rule when placing the 'aufgrund' phrase at the beginning of a sentence.

Tipps

Genitive is King

Always associate 'aufgrund' with the genitive case. Before you write the noun, pause and think: 'How do I decline this in the genitive?' This habit will prevent the most common mistake learners make with this word.

Verb Position

If you start your sentence with 'Aufgrund des...', the very next word must be your conjugated verb. Do not put the subject next. 'Aufgrund des Regens WIR bleiben' is wrong. 'Aufgrund des Regens BLEIBEN wir' is correct.

The 'Von' Rescue

If you are trying to use a plural noun with no article (like 'Kosten' - costs) after 'aufgrund', you cannot use the genitive. You must use 'von' + Dative: 'aufgrund von Kosten'. Memorize this exception.

Upgrade Your Writing

If you are taking a B2 or C1 writing exam, actively look for sentences where you used 'weil'. Try to change at least one of them into an 'aufgrund' phrase. Examiners look for this 'Nominalstil' as a sign of advanced proficiency.

Wegen vs. Aufgrund

Keep it simple: Use 'wegen' when you are talking. Use 'aufgrund' when you are writing an essay, a formal email, or a report. This simple rule of thumb will keep your register appropriate 95% of the time.

No People Allowed

Do not use 'aufgrund' with personal pronouns. 'Because of you' is 'wegen dir' or 'deinetwegen', never 'aufgrund deiner'. Reserve 'aufgrund' for things, events, and abstract concepts.

Spot the Genitive

When reading German news, highlight every instance of 'aufgrund'. Look at the noun phrase that follows it and analyze how the genitive was formed. This passive observation will rapidly improve your active usage.

One Word is Better

While 'auf Grund' is technically allowed, always write 'aufgrund' as one word. It is the modern standard, looks more professional, and prevents confusion with the physical 'Grund' (ground/bottom).

Learn 'Aufgrund dessen'

Add 'aufgrund dessen' (because of that) to your vocabulary. It is a fantastic transition word to connect two sentences logically in formal writing, serving as a high-level alternative to 'deshalb'.

Facts, Not Feelings

Use 'aufgrund' for objective facts and logical reasons (e.g., weather, rules, lack of money). If someone acts out of an emotion (like fear or love), use 'aus' or 'vor' instead (e.g., 'aus Liebe', 'vor Angst').

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'auf' (on) and 'grund' (ground). When you do something 'aufgrund' of something else, you are basing your action 'ON the GROUNDs' of that reason.

Wortherkunft

Germanic

Kultureller Kontext

Extremely high. It is the gold standard for written justifications in official Germany (Behördendeutsch).

Universally understood and used across all German-speaking regions in formal contexts. In dialects, it is almost entirely replaced by 'wegen' or 'weil'.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"Aufgrund welcher Erfahrungen haben Sie sich für diesen Beruf entschieden?"

"Glaubst du, dass sich das Klima aufgrund des menschlichen Einflusses so schnell ändert?"

"Aufgrund der aktuellen Nachrichtenlage: Wie siehst du die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung?"

"Haben Sie das Projekt aufgrund von Zeitmangel abgebrochen?"

"Aufgrund welcher Kriterien wurde der Gewinner ausgewählt?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Beschreibe eine wichtige Entscheidung in deinem Leben und erkläre, aufgrund welcher Faktoren du sie getroffen hast.

Schreibe einen formellen Beschwerdebrief an eine Firma aufgrund eines fehlerhaften Produkts.

Analysiere ein aktuelles politisches Ereignis: Aufgrund welcher Ursachen ist es dazu gekommen?

Erkläre, aufgrund welcher Eigenschaften du deinen besten Freund / deine beste Freundin schätzt.

Verfasse einen kurzen Bericht darüber, warum ein geplantes Event aufgrund von unvorhergesehenen Problemen abgesagt werden musste.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

In standard, formal German, yes. 'Aufgrund' is a genitive preposition. However, there is one major exception: when you have a plural noun without an article or adjective to show the case, you must use 'von' + dative (e.g., 'aufgrund von Problemen'). Using the dative in any other situation with 'aufgrund' is considered grammatically incorrect.

Yes, but it sounds very formal. You will hear it in news broadcasts, formal presentations, or official announcements. In everyday, casual conversation with friends or family, native speakers almost always prefer 'wegen' or the conjunction 'weil'. Using 'aufgrund' at a pub with friends might sound a bit stiff or overly academic.

The main difference is structural. 'Aufgrund' is a preposition, meaning it must be followed by a noun phrase (e.g., 'aufgrund des Regens'). 'Weil' is a conjunction, meaning it must be followed by a complete subordinate clause with a subject and a conjugated verb at the end (e.g., 'weil es regnet'). They mean the same thing, but you build the sentence differently.

Both are technically correct according to the Duden dictionary, but 'aufgrund' (one word) is the modern, highly preferred standard spelling. 'Auf Grund' (two words) is the older spelling and is still seen, especially when followed by 'von' (auf Grund von), but sticking to 'aufgrund' is safer and looks more contemporary.

Absolutely. Placing 'aufgrund' at the beginning of a sentence is very common and is often used for emphasis. Just remember the V2 rule: the conjugated verb must be in the second position, immediately following the entire 'aufgrund' prepositional phrase. For example: 'Aufgrund des Wetters BLEIBEN wir zu Hause.'

'Aufgrund dessen' translates to 'because of that' or 'due to that'. It is a pronominal adverb used to refer back to a reason that was just mentioned in the previous sentence. For example: 'Es hat stark geregnet. Aufgrund dessen wurde das Spiel abgesagt.' (It rained heavily. Because of that, the game was canceled.)

No, this is highly unnatural. You should not say 'aufgrund meiner' or 'aufgrund von mir' to mean 'because of me'. For personal pronouns, you must use 'wegen' (e.g., 'wegen mir' in colloquial speech, or 'meinetwegen' in formal speech). 'Aufgrund' is reserved for nouns representing concepts, events, or things.

Both require the genitive and express causality, but 'infolge' translates more accurately to 'as a result of'. 'Infolge' strongly emphasizes the chronological sequence and the direct consequence of an event (e.g., 'infolge des Unfalls' - as a result of the accident). 'Aufgrund' is a more general 'because of' that can apply to logical reasons or facts.

You see 'aufgrund von' + dative primarily when a plural noun has no article, making it impossible to show the genitive case (e.g., 'aufgrund von Bauarbeiten'). It is also sometimes used stylistically to avoid awkward-sounding nested genitives, though strict grammarians prefer pure genitive where possible.

It is introduced at B1 as learners begin to tackle the genitive case and formal writing. However, mastering its use—especially converting complex clauses into nominal phrases (Nominalstil)—is a core competency of the B2 and C1 levels. So, you learn it at B1, but you perfect it at B2/C1.

Registriere dich kostenlos für Tipps & Notizen

Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen

writing

Rewrite using 'aufgrund': Wir bleiben zu Hause, weil es stark regnet.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Converts the 'weil' clause into a genitive prepositional phrase.