B2-33 · Say how and for whose benefit something is done
Biodiversity
Use the formal genitive prepositions mittels and zugunsten with correct genitive endings to report how species are recorded and protected.
About 5 minutes to read · 12 quiz questions
01
mittels: by means of
In reports on species protection, mittels means by means of. It is a formal preposition and takes the genitive: mittels einer Wildkamera, mittels eines Gentests. In everyday speech, mit or durch usually replaces it.
Die Station beobachtet den Luchs mittels einer Wildkamera.
The station observes the lynx by means of a wildlife camera.
Die Biologin bestimmt die Art mittels eines Gentests.
The biologist identifies the species by means of a genetic test.
Das Team erfasst die Insekten mittels spezieller Fallen.
The team records the insects by means of special traps.
Das Amt dokumentiert den Artenrückgang mittels regelmäßiger Zählungen.
The authority documents the decline of species by means of regular counts.
With eines, a masculine or neuter noun adds -s or -es: eines Gentests. In the plural without an article, the adjective shows the genitive with -er: mittels spezieller Fallen. Der Artenrückgang means the decline of species, die Art the species and erfassen to record.
02
zugunsten: in favour of
Zugunsten means in favour of or for the benefit of. It also takes the genitive and appears in decisions and appeals: zugunsten der Wildbienen, zugunsten des Naturschutzgebiets. Its opposite is zuungunsten, to the disadvantage of.
Die Gemeinde verzichtet zugunsten der Feuchtwiese auf ein neues Baugebiet.
The municipality gives up a new building area in favour of the wet meadow.
Zugunsten der Wildbienen mäht der Landwirt seine Wiesen später.
For the benefit of wild bees, the farmer mows his meadows later.
Der Verein sammelt Spenden zugunsten des Naturschutzgebiets.
The association collects donations for the benefit of the nature reserve.
Der Rat entscheidet sich zugunsten des Artenschutzes gegen die Straße.
The council decides against the road in favour of species protection.
In neutral speech, für often replaces zugunsten. Verzichten auf means to do without, das Baugebiet is an area for new buildings and die Feuchtwiese is a wet meadow.
03
Write a short protection report
A short report often combines both prepositions. Watch the genitive endings: the article, any adjective and many masculine or neuter nouns all show the case: mittels eines strengen Bauverbots, zugunsten der bedrohten Arten.
| Gender | Example |
|---|---|
| masculine | mittels eines hohen Zauns |
| feminine | mittels einer kleinen Wildkamera |
| neuter | mittels eines neuen Schutzprogramms |
| plural | zugunsten der bedrohten Arten |
Mittels eines Schutzprogramms will das Land das Artensterben bremsen.
By means of a protection programme, the state wants to slow species extinction.
Zugunsten der Feldhamster bleibt ein Teil des Getreides auf dem Feld.
For the benefit of the field hamsters, part of the grain stays in the field.
Die Behörde schützt das Moor mittels eines strengen Bauverbots.
The authority protects the bog by means of a strict building ban.
Fachleute fordern mehr Flächen zugunsten der bedrohten Arten.
Experts call for more land for the benefit of the endangered species.
Das Artensterben means species extinction, das Bauverbot a ban on building and das Land here a federal state. After eines, the adjective ends in -en.
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