Master the Cases of Nouns and Pronouns in English grammar by understanding nominative, objective, and possessive cases, along with clear rules and examples for subjects, objects, and ownership.
Three Cases in English
Nominative case is the case of the subject.
Objective case is the case of the object.
Possessive case is the case that shows ownership.
Cases of Nouns
Nominative Case of nouns- a noun can be the subject of the sentence, if noun is used as the subject of the sentence then it is in the nominative case.
Predicate noun sometimes, a noun is found in the predicate but refers to the same person or thing as the subject, is also in nominative case.
A noun used as a subject of a sentence, as well as a predicate noun because it also refers to the same subject, are both on the nominative case.
- The lead actor was Tom Cruise.
Objective Case of nouns- if the noun is used as the object of a verb or a preposition.
Cases of Pronouns
Nominative case of pronouns if they are used as subjects of sentences, or used as predicate pronouns. Mistakes are seldom made in selecting the correct form of the pronoun to use as the subject of the sentence. Mistakes are frequently made, however, when a pronoun is used as a predicate nominative.
- I love driving.
The pronoun I is the subject of the sentence and is thus in the nominative case.
It is you.
The pronoun "you" is a predicate pronoun and refers to the same subject as the word it.
Objective case of Pronouns when they are used as objects of verbs, or as objects of prepositions. The correct forms to use in the adjective case are:
|
Singular |
Plural |
|
me |
us |
|
you |
you |
|
him |
them |
|
her |
whom |
|
it |
|
|
whom |
|
The table shows the nominative case forms and the objective case forms of each of the six pronouns.
|
Nominative Case |
Objective Case |
||
|
Singular |
Plural |
Singular |
Plural |
|
I |
we |
me |
us |
|
you |
you |
you |
you |
|
he |
they |
him |
them |
|
she |
they |
her |
them |
|
it |
they |
it |
them |
|
who |
who |
whom |
whom |
Possessive Case of Nouns and Pronouns
The possessive case is use to show ownership.
1. Possessive Case of Nouns
Nouns can show ownership when they are in the possessive case. There is just one easy rule to follow.
- If the singular form of the noun does not end in s, x, or z, add apostrophe and s ('s) at the end of the noun.
- If the singular form ends in s, x, or y then add the apostrophe (') at the end of the noun.
- Mr. Juan's invention
- *Francis' car
- Mr. Ferdz' ford
- Fort Knox' guns
- *baby's dress
- Tiger's lair (one tiger)
- Tigers' lair (many tiger own the lair)
2. Possessive Case of Pronouns
There are pronouns that do not point specifically to a person, place or thing. Indefinite pronoun does not have special forms to show case.
The possessive case if indefinite pronouns are formed in the same way as the possessive case of nouns.
For indefinite pronouns (such as anybody, somebody, everyone and anyone) the possessive case is formed in the same way as the possessive case of nouns: add apostrophe (') and s ('s).
- Everyone’s opinion
- Another’s dream
- *someone's book
Personal pronoun (such as I, we, you, he, she, it, they) and the pronoun who have special possessive forms (my, mine, our, ours, your, yours, his, her, hers, its, their, theirs, whose) to indicate ownership and must be used without adding apostrophe and s.
Correct: Whose paper is this?
Incorrect: Who's paper is this?
Personal Pronouns
|
|
Singular |
Plural |
|
First Person |
||
|
Nominative Case |
I |
we |
|
Possessive Case |
my, mine |
our, ours |
|
Objective Case |
me |
us |
|
Second Person |
||
|
Nominative Case |
you |
you |
|
Possessive Case |
your, yours |
your, yours |
|
Objective Case |
you |
you |
|
Third Person |
||
|
Nominative Case |
he, she, it |
they |
|
Possessive Case |
his, her, hers, its |
their, theirs |
|
Objective Case |
him, her, it |
them |
Relative and Interrogative Pronoun Who
|
Case |
Singular and Plural |
|
Nominative |
who |
|
Possessive |
whose |
|
Objective |
whom |
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Key Takeaways
- The nominative case represents the subject or predicate noun of a sentence.
- The objective case serves as the object of a verb or preposition.
- The possessive case indicates ownership for both nouns and indefinite pronouns by adding an apostrophe or apostrophe with 's'.
- Personal pronouns use unique possessive forms instead of an apostrophe.
Quick Practice
Write your answers to the following questions in the comments below:
- Identify the case of the underlined pronoun or noun in: "I love driving."
- Is the correct phrasing "Whose paper is this?" or "Who's paper is this?"?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between nominative and objective cases?
The nominative case is used when a noun or pronoun acts as the subject of the sentence or predicate nominative. The objective case is used when it acts as the object of a verb or preposition.
How do you show ownership in the possessive case for nouns?
If a singular noun does not end in s, x, or z, add an apostrophe and s ('s). If it ends in s, x, or y, add only an apostrophe (').
Do personal pronouns use apostrophes to show possession?
No, personal pronouns have special possessive forms (such as my, mine, your, yours, his, her, hers, its, our, ours, their, theirs) and must be used without adding an apostrophe and s.