Genitive preposition 'wegen' (because of)

wegen ("because of") gives a reason and, in standard German, governs the genitive.

After wegen, the article changes to the genitive (des/der) and masculine/neuter nouns add -s/-es.

Examples:

• Wegen des schlechten Wetters bleiben wir zu Hause. - Because of the bad weather we are staying home.
• Ich komme wegen des Termins. - I'm coming because of the appointment.
• Wegen der Bauarbeiten ist die Straße gesperrt. - Because of the construction work the road is closed.

Register note: In casual speech the dative is very common (wegen dem Wetter), but this is avoided in careful writing and in exams, where the genitive (wegen des Wetters) is expected.

Common mistakes: Using the dative in formal contexts. Forgetting the genitive ending on masculine/neuter nouns. Note that wegen can occasionally follow its noun (des Wetters wegen), but the normal position is before it.

'wegen' (because of) gives a reason and takes the genitive.

Gives a reason; standard 'wegen' + genitive (wegen des/der …).

'wegen' nennt einen Grund und steht mit dem Genitiv.