Learning about the nominative case will be a lot easier if you have already learnt what subjects and predicates are. Even if you haven’t, do not worry. Through the course of this article, you will learn the meaning and definition of the nominative case and how to identify and use the nominative case, along with examples to help you understand clearly.
Table of Contents
- The Nominative Case – Meaning and Definition
- How to Identify the Nominative Case?
- Examples of Nominative Case
- Check Your Understanding of Nominative Case
- Frequently Asked Questions on Nominative Case in English Grammar
The Nominative Case – Meaning and Definition
The term ‘nominative’ is used in English grammar to refer to the noun or pronoun that appears as the subject of the verb in a particular sentence. In other words, the ‘nominative case’ denotes that the specific noun or pronoun is the subject of the sentence. It is also known as the subjective case.
The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines the nominal case as “the form of a noun or a pronoun when it is the subject of a verb”, and according to the Cambridge Dictionary, any word “having or relating to the case (= form) of a noun or pronoun used to show that a word is the subject of a verb” is called a nominative.
How to Identify the Nominative Case?
Identifying the nominative case can be easily done by asking the question, ‘who is doing the action’. You can also use ‘what’ before the verb to find out the nominative case.
Example 1:
- Sheela has a pet dog.
Who has a pet dog? – Sheela
- He brought me a doughnut.
Who brought me a doughnut? – He
So, ‘Sheela’ and ‘he’ indicate the nominative in the above examples.
Example 2:
- The house has been sold.
What has been sold? – House
- The cat drank all the milk.
What drank all the milk? – Cat
Here, in these two sentences, the nouns ‘house’ and ‘cat’ are the nominatives.
Look at a few more examples so that you have a much deeper understanding of nominatives and how they are used in sentences.
Examples of Nominative Case
- The teacher is strict.
- A pigeon sat on the roof.
- Parvin loves playing soccer.
- Many students are late to class.
- This book is interesting.
- Some trees have fallen due to the storm.
- Each of the boys has a different opinion.
- Neither the sun nor the moon is visible today.
- Few people know the answer to the question.
- All the birds have flown away.
Check Your Understanding of Nominative Case
Go through the following sentences and identify the nominative case.
1. She is a doctor.
2. I am happy.
3. He is my friend.
4. We will have a party tonight.
5. You are very talented.
6. They are going on a trip next week.
7. This car is mine.
8. His dog is very friendly.
9. Our house is big.
10. Your favourite movie is playing at the theatre.
The nominative case has been underlined; check them to make sure you have identified them correctly.
1. Jhansi is a doctor.
2. I am happy.
3. Sharan is my friend.
4. We will have a party tonight.
5. You are very talented.
6. Suresh, Preetha and Annu are going on a trip next week.
7. This car is mine.
8. The little boy is very friendly.
9. Our house is big.
10. Your favourite movie is playing at the theatre.
Frequently Asked Questions on Nominative Case in English Grammar
What is the nominative case?
The nominative case refers to the noun or pronoun that appears as the subject of the verb in a particular sentence. In other words, the ‘nominative case’ denotes that the specific noun or pronoun is the subject of the sentence.
What is the subjective case?
The nominative case is also known as the subjective case. It is the noun or pronoun that acts as the subject of the verb in a sentence.
Give 5 examples of nominative case
- Many students are late to class.
- This book is interesting.
- Some trees have fallen due to the storm.
- Each of the boys has a different opinion.
- Sreerag is my brother’s friend.
