Noun Cases

We can group nouns into three noun cases: nominative, possessive, and objective. Noun cases show how a noun is used in a sentence.

Nominative Case

Here, we shall examine one of the three noun cases, nominative case. A noun is in the nominative case when it is the subject or the predicate nominative of a sentence.

Subject of a Sentence

In the sentence below, the noun lizard is in the nominative case because it is the subject of the sentence.

A lizard lies in the sun.

Predicate Nominative

A predicate nominative follows a linking verb ("to be" verbs-is, am, are, was, were, etc.) and renames the subject. In the sentence below, reptiles renames the subject, lizards. Reptiles is in the nominative case because it is a predicate nominative.

Lizards are reptiles.

In the next sentence, friends renames the compound subject, Margaret and Sheryl, and it is a predicate nominative.

Margaret and Sheryl were friends.

Below, we see verbals used as predicate nominatives:

• His hope was to cook. (infinitive)
• Your ideal exercise might be cycling. (gerund)

Examples 1

The study of noun cases begins with nominative case. Tell whether the italicized nominative case noun in each sentence is the subject of the sentence or a predicate nominative.

1. A mouse nibbled my toe.
2. A cricket is an insect.
3. The glass fell and shattered
4. Grandpa Angles was a plumber.
5. This divide separates west-flowing from east-flowing rivers.
6. Davy Crockett was an American pioneer.
7. His decision was to obey.
8. Sherman came from Connecticut.
9. He was a skilled politician.

Solutions

1. The word mouse is the subject of the sentence.
2. The word insect is a predicate nominative; it follows the linking verb is and renames the subject.
3. The word glass is the subject of the sentence.
4. The word plumber is a predicate nominative; it follows the linking verb was, and it renames the subject.
5. The word divide is the subject of the sentence.
6. The word pioneer is a predicate nominative; it follows the linking verb was, and it renames the subject.
7. To obey is a predicate nominative.
8. The word Sherman is the subject of the sentence.
9. The word politician is a predicate nominative; it follows the linking verb was, and it renames the subject.

Possessive Case

Here, we examine the second of the noun cases, possessive case. Nouns that show possession or ownership are in the possessive case. In the sentence below, the possessive noun Jasmin's is in the possessive case.

Rufus is Jasmin's lizard.

Examples 2

Show your understanding of possessive case, the second of the noun cases. Identify the possessive case noun in each sentence.

1. Rufus's cage is empty.
2. Monty's wife is a nurse.
3. Was Davy Crockett's hat made from fur?
4. Did Connecticut's citizens appreciate him?

Solutions

1. Rufus's is in the possessive case. It shows possession; it tells "whose cage."
2. Monty's is in the possessive case. It shows possession; it tells "whose wife."
3. Davy Crockett's is in the possessive case. It shows possession; it tells "whose hat."
4. Connecticut's is in the possessive case. It shows possession; it tells "whose citizens."

Objective Case

Here, we study the third of the noun cases, objective case. A noun is in the objective case when it is used as a direct object, an indirect object, or the object of a preposition. Let's review these "objects."

Direct Object

A noun or pronoun is called a direct object when it is the direct receiver of the action of the verb. Direct objects are starred in the sentences below.

• Rigo made *lunch. (Rigo made what?)
• I picked *cotton.
• Who will prepare *dinner?
• Davy Crockett helped *Andrew Jackson. (Davy helped who or what?)
• Defending the Alamo cost Davy's *life.
• The Crockett Almanacs contained tall *tales about Davy.
• He liked *to hunt. (Infinitive as a direct object)
• Do you enjoy *skydiving? (Gerund as a direct object)
• Roger Sherman despised mob *rule. (Roger Sherman despised who or what?)
• Therefore, he issued a *warrant against Benedict Arnold.
• In addition, he outlawed *scapegoating. (Gerund as a direct object)

Indirect Object

An indirect object is the noun or pronoun that tells "to whom" or "for whom" the action was done. In the following examples, the indirect objects are starred.

• Did you bring *Fido a snack? (Did you bring a snack for Fido?)
• The runner passed *Tim the baton. (The runner passed the baton to Tim.)
• Please send *Kristina a postcard. (Please send a postcard to Kristina.)
• Have you told *me everything? (Have you told everything to me?)
• Politicians gave *Davy recognition. (Politicians gave recognition to Davy.)
• Yale awarded *Sherman an honorary degree. (Yale awarded an honorary degree to Sherman.)

Object of a Preposition

A noun or pronoun that follows a preposition is called the object of a preposition. Objects of the prepositions are starred in the examples below.

Examples 3

Show your understanding of objective case, the third of the noun cases. For sentences, 1-9, tell whether each italicized noun is a direct object, an indirect object, or the object of a preposition.

1. Esther fried Marissa an egg.
2. I sweep the sidewalk on Mondays.
3. Justin fell off the chair.
4. The squirrel climbed up the tree.
5. Our cousin painted his house bright green.
6. The title of her essay refers to her experiences in Colombia.
7. After 1773, Sherman offered the British strong resistance.
8. In the late 1760s, almanacs had recorded his Loyalism.
9. The Parliament of Great Britain should not make America's laws.

Solutions

1. Marissa is an indirect object. It tells "for whom" the egg was fried.
2. Sidewalk is a direct object. It is the receiver of the action verb "sweep."
3. Chair is the object of the preposition "off."
4. Tree is the object of the preposition "up."
5. House is a direct object. It is the receiver of the action verb "painted."
6. Experiences is the object of the preposition "to."
7. British is an indirect object. It tells "to whom" the resistance was offered.)
8. Loyalism is a direct object. It is the receiver of the action verb "had recorded."
9. Great Britain is the object of the preposition "of."

Examples 4

Here, we review the three noun cases. Tell whether the italicized noun is in the nominative, possessive, or objective case.

1. Andrew and Ryan studied pelicans.
2. My hair is shorter than Kay's.
3. Vivian is an artistic student.
4. An alligator slides in the water.
5. Jumana's mother sang beautifully.
6. Spot crawled under the gate.
7. Please describe a cumulus cloud.
8. The artist's cumulus clouds looked like cauliflower.
9. Mr. Ng became a meteorologist.
10. We flew above the clouds.
11. Sherman was New Haven's first mayor.
12. "Father Sherman" became his nickname.
13. He promised his state good leadership.

Solutions

1. To identify noun cases, we look to see how the noun is used in the sentence. Pelicans is a direct object. Therefore, it is in the objective case.
2. Kay's is a possessive noun. Therefore, it is in the possessive case.
3. Student is a predicate nominative. Therefore, it is in the nominative case.
4. Water is the object of a preposition. Therefore, it is in the objective case.
5. Jumana's is a possessive noun. Therefore, it is in the possessive case.
6. Gate is the object of a preposition. Therefore, it is in the objective case.
7. Cloud is a direct object. Therefore, it is in the objective case.
8. Artist's is a possessive noun. Therefore, it is in the possessive case.
9. Meteorologist is a predicate nominative. It renames the subject. Therefore, it is in the nominative case.
10. Clouds is the object of the preposition "above." Therefore, it is in the objective case.
11. New Haven's is a possessive noun. Therefore, it is in the possessive case.
12. Nickname is a predicate nominative. It renames the subject. Therefore it is in the nominative case.
13. State is an indirect object telling "to whom" he promised good leadership. Therefore, it is in the objective case.