Dative prepositions in depth
Aus, bei, mit, nach, seit, von and zu always take dative. Contractions are common: bei dem → beim, von dem → vom, zu dem → zum, zu der → zur. Plural dative uses den and usually adds -n to the noun.
Understand the idea
Fixed dative prepositions govern the whole noun phrase that follows them. Their effect remains even when the phrase describes motion or time. Frequent contractions are standard forms, not optional spelling shortcuts invented by the learner.
Build it step by step
Recognise aus, bei, mit, nach, seit, von and zu before choosing an ending. Combine the preposition with dem where the standard contraction applies: beim, vom, zum and im are common. Zu der becomes zur. With a plural noun, check for the additional dative -n. Time expressions such as seit einer Woche also follow the case pattern.
See it in a sentence
Ich komme aus der Türkei.
Wir wohnen bei unseren Eltern.
A useful memory aid
Practise one phrase per gender and a plural phrase. This shows how a stable preposition works with changing endings.
A common trap
Do not insert an accusative article after mit because a vehicle is moving. Also avoid contracting combinations that have no standard contracted form.