What is the nominative case in grammar, and what are its primary functions?

In grammar, the nominative case, also known as the subjective, straight, or upright case, is a grammatical case that typically marks the subject of a verb. It can also indicate a predicative nominal or adjective, distinguishing it from the object of a verb or other verb arguments. Generally, the nominative form represents the noun or part of speech that is performing an action and is often the form used when listing words in a dictionary.

What are the alternative names used for the nominative case?

The nominative case is also referred to by several other names, including the subjective case, the straight case, and the upright case. These synonyms often emphasize its role as the basic or unmarked form in many languages.

How does the nominative case function in relation to the subject of a verb?

The primary grammatical function of the nominative case is to identify the subject of a verb. In sentences with active verbs, it denotes the entity performing the action, while in passive sentences, it denotes the entity receiving the action.

Besides marking the subject, what other grammatical role can the nominative case fulfill?

In certain languages, such as Latin and formal variants of English, the nominative case can also mark a predicative nominal or adjective. This means it is used for words that describe or rename the subject after a linking verb (a copula).

What is the significance of the nominative case being the form listed in dictionaries?

In most languages that feature a nominative case, this form serves as the lemma, or the standard reference form of a word. This is why it is typically the form found when looking up a noun, adjective, or pronoun in a dictionary, providing a consistent base for understanding the word.

What is the etymological origin of the English term 'nominative'?

The English word 'nominative' originates from the Latin term *casus nominativus*, which translates to 'case for naming.' This Latin phrase itself was a translation of the Ancient Greek term *onomastikē ptōsis*, meaning 'inflection for naming.'

What term did Dionysius Thrax use for the nominative case, and what did it signify?

The ancient Greek grammarian Dionysius Thrax referred to the nominative case as *orthē* or *eutheia*, meaning 'straight.' This term was used in contrast to the 'oblique' or 'bent' cases, suggesting its direct or fundamental grammatical function.

Which parts of speech are typically declined and can therefore possess a nominative case?

Nouns, adjectives, and pronouns are commonly declined and thus possess a nominative case. Numerals and participles also sometimes exhibit declension and can appear in the nominative case, depending on the language.

In what sense is the nominative case often considered 'unmarked'?

The nominative case is often considered 'unmarked' because it frequently lacks specific suffixes or inflections. In such instances, its presence can be indicated by a null morpheme, meaning the absence of a marker signifies the nominative case, making it the default or base form.

Can the nominative case sometimes not indicate a specific grammatical relationship within a sentence?

Yes, while the nominative case most commonly indicates the subject of a verb, the text notes that in some languages, it may not signify a particular relationship with other sentence components. Its primary role often remains as the base or citation form of a word.

Name at least five languages that utilize the nominative case.

Numerous languages employ the nominative case. Examples include Latin, Greek, German, Russian, Sanskrit, Arabic, Hungarian, Polish, Slovak, Ukrainian, Lithuanian, Georgian, Icelandic, Old English, Old French, Serbian, Czech, Romanian, and Pashto.

How does English demonstrate the retention of the nominative case, particularly with pronouns?

English retains the nominative case primarily through its personal pronouns. Examples include 'I,' 'we,' 'he,' 'she,' 'they,' and 'who,' which are used when these pronouns function as the subject of a sentence. This contrasts with their accusative forms like 'me,' 'us,' 'him,' 'her,' 'them,' and 'whom.'

Explain the historical context of the English pronouns 'thou' and 'you' concerning case.

Historically, 'thou' was the singular nominative second-person pronoun (with 'thee' as its accusative form), and 'ye' was the nominative plural (with 'you' as the accusative). Over time, 'you' has become standardized and is now used for both nominative and accusative functions in modern English.

What distinction is sometimes made in English grammar between 'nominative' and 'subjective' case?

In English grammar, the term 'subjective case' is sometimes used instead of 'nominative case.' This terminology is employed to highlight the specific way this case functions in English, particularly in contrast to the 'objective case,' which covers roles like the accusative, dative, and objects of prepositions.

In the simplified two-case system sometimes applied to English, what is the genitive case typically called?

When English grammar is described using a two-case system (subjective and objective), the genitive case is usually referred to as the possessive form. It is treated separately from the subjective and objective cases.

Provide an example sentence where the nominative case marks the subject of an active verb.

In the sentence 'The boy saw her,' the phrase 'The boy' is in the nominative case and functions as the subject, performing the action of seeing.

Provide an example sentence where the nominative case marks the subject of a passive verb.

In the sentence 'She was seen by the boy,' the pronoun 'She' is in the nominative case. It functions as the subject, even though 'She' is the recipient of the action (being seen) in this passive construction.

How is the nominative case utilized in copular sentences (sentences with linking verbs)?

In copular sentences, the nominative case is used for both the subject and the predicate noun or adjective. This means that words identifying or describing the subject after a linking verb remain in the nominative form.

Give an example of a copular sentence demonstrating the nominative case with a predicate noun.

The sentence 'Socrates was a wise man' illustrates this usage. Both 'Socrates,' the subject, and 'man,' the predicate noun, are in the nominative case.

Give an example of a copular sentence demonstrating the nominative case with a predicate adjective.

In the sentence 'Socrates was wise,' both 'Socrates,' the subject, and 'wise,' the predicate adjective, are in the nominative case, describing the subject.

What is the meaning of the Ancient Greek term *onomastikē ptōsis*?

The Ancient Greek term *onomastikē ptōsis* translates to 'inflection for naming.' This term is the basis for the Latin *casus nominativus*, from which the English word 'nominative' is derived, highlighting its connection to naming.

In active-stative languages, what is the function of the case sometimes referred to as nominative?

In active-stative languages, a case sometimes referred to as nominative marks the subject of a transitive verb or a voluntary subject of an intransitive verb. However, it does not mark an involuntary subject of an intransitive verb, distinguishing it from the typical nominative function in nominative-accusative languages.

What is the fundamental difference between the nominative case and an object case?

The nominative case typically marks the subject or predicative, representing the primary actor or topic of a sentence. Object cases (like accusative or dative) mark entities that are acted upon, receive the action indirectly, or are otherwise affected by the verb's action, thus playing a secondary role to the subject.

What does it mean for a grammatical case to be considered the 'least marked'?

Being the 'least marked' case, as the nominative often is, implies it is the most basic, common, or neutral form of a word. It typically lacks specific inflections or grammatical features found in other cases, making it the default form used for citation or dictionary entries.

Which languages are specifically mentioned as examples where the term 'nominative case' is most properly used?

The term 'nominative case' is considered most properly used in the discussion of nominative-accusative languages. Examples provided include Latin, Ancient Greek, and most modern Western European languages, which characteristically distinguish subjects (nominative) from objects (accusative).

What role does the nominative case play concerning adjectives?

The nominative case often serves as the reference form for adjectives, meaning it is the base form listed in dictionaries or used in citation. For instance, the nominative masculine singular might be considered the default or least marked form of an adjective in some languages.

What grammatical features related to nouns are listed in the sidebar?

The sidebar lists several grammatical features related to nouns, including animacy, case (with sub-types like dative, nominative, comitative, instrumental), classifier, construct state, countability (count noun, mass noun, collective noun), definiteness, gender, genitive construction, noun class, number (singular, dual, plural, singulative-collective-plurative), and specificity.

What grammatical features related to verbs are listed in the sidebar?

The sidebar lists features related to verbs such as associated motion, clusivity, conjugation, evidentiality, modality, person, telicity, mirativity, tense–aspect–mood (including grammatical aspect, lexical aspect/Aktionsart, mood, tense), and voice.

What is the significance of the 'More citations needed' notice within the 'Characteristics' section?

The 'More citations needed' notice indicates that the information presented in the 'Characteristics' section requires additional verification from reliable sources. It suggests that some claims or details within that section may lack adequate citation and could be challenged or removed if not properly supported.

What is the purpose of the 'Grammatical features' sidebar in the article?

The 'Grammatical features' sidebar serves to categorize and present various linguistic concepts related to grammar. It helps contextualize the topic of the nominative case by showing its relationship to other grammatical elements like noun and verb features, syntax, semantics, and phenomena.

What is the meaning of 'straight case' as a synonym for the nominative case?

'Straight case' is a synonym for the nominative case, derived from the Greek term *orthē* or *eutheia*, meaning 'straight.' This terminology likely contrasts with the 'oblique' or 'bent' cases, suggesting a direct or fundamental grammatical role for the nominative.

How does the nominative case differ from the vocative case?

The nominative case primarily marks the subject of a verb or a predicative element, identifying the main actor or topic. The vocative case, in contrast, is used specifically for direct address, calling out to someone or something. While they may overlap or be related in some languages, their functions are distinct.

What is the role of the nominative case in languages described as having a 'subjective' vs. 'objective' case distinction?

In languages described with a subjective versus objective case system, the subjective case functions similarly to the nominative, marking the subject of a verb. The objective case then encompasses various other grammatical roles, such as direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of prepositions, which might be marked by accusative, dative, or other oblique cases in different systems.

What does the Latin term *casus nominativus* mean?

*Casus nominativus* is the Latin term for the nominative case, and it translates to 'case for naming.' This etymology underscores the fundamental role of the nominative in identifying or naming the subject or topic of a sentence.

What is the difference between the nominative case and the ergative case?

The nominative case typically marks the subject in nominative-accusative languages. In contrast, the ergative case marks the subject of a transitive verb, while the absolutive case (which often corresponds to the nominative in function) marks the subject of an intransitive verb and the object of a transitive verb. This system is known as ergative-absolutive alignment.

What is the function of the nominative case in relation to predicative adjectives?

In copular sentences, the nominative case is used for predicative adjectives, which are adjectives that describe the subject after a linking verb. For example, in the sentence 'Socrates was wise,' 'wise' is a predicative adjective in the nominative case, describing Socrates.

What is the significance of the nominative case being the 'lemma' or dictionary entry form?

When the nominative case serves as the lemma, it signifies that it is the canonical, base form of a word used for reference. This standardization helps linguists and learners identify and understand words consistently, similar to how words are presented in a dictionary.

How does the nominative case differ from the dative case?

The nominative case primarily marks the subject or predicative, representing the entity performing an action or being described. The dative case, conversely, typically marks the indirect object, indicating to whom or for whom an action is performed, or sometimes the recipient of a verb's action.

What is the relationship between the nominative case and the linguistic concept of 'markedness'?

The nominative case is often described as the 'least marked' form of a noun or pronoun. This means it is considered the most basic or neutral form, often lacking specific inflections or grammatical features that are present in other, more 'marked' cases like the accusative or dative.

What is the nominative case in relation to the concept of 'animacy' in grammar?

The article lists 'Animacy' as a grammatical feature related to nouns. While the direct interaction isn't detailed, the nominative case is a fundamental grammatical case for nouns, suggesting that animacy might influence or be influenced by case marking in certain languages, though the text does not elaborate on this specific connection.

What is the role of the nominative case in languages like Georgian or Lithuanian?

The text lists Georgian and Lithuanian as languages that utilize the nominative case. This indicates that these languages, like many others, employ the nominative to mark grammatical subjects or predicative elements within their sentence structures.

What is the significance of the nominative case in historical languages like Old English and Old French?

The text mentions Old English and Old French as languages that have or had a nominative case. This historical presence indicates that the distinction between subject and object roles, marked by case, was a feature of these early Germanic and Romance languages, respectively.

What is the difference between the nominative case and the oblique case?

The nominative case typically marks the subject or predicative, representing the core actor or identity in a sentence. The oblique case, in contrast, encompasses various other grammatical roles such as objects (accusative, dative) or complements, indicating entities that are acted upon, possessed, or related in other ways to the verb or sentence structure.

What is the meaning of the term 'subjective case' as used in English grammar?

The term 'subjective case' is often used in English grammar as an alternative to 'nominative case.' It specifically highlights the role of marking the subject of a verb, differentiating it from the 'objective case,' which covers other grammatical functions like direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of prepositions.

What are some examples of nominative pronouns that English retains?

English retains nominative pronouns such as 'I,' 'we,' 'he,' 'she,' 'they,' and 'who.' These forms are used when the pronoun functions as the subject of the sentence.

What is the difference between the nominative and accusative forms of English pronouns?

The nominative forms ('I,' 'we,' 'he,' 'she,' 'they,' 'who') are used for subjects, while the accusative forms ('me,' 'us,' 'him,' 'her,' 'them,' 'whom') are used for objects. For example, in 'I saw him,' 'I' is the nominative subject and 'him' is the accusative object.

What is the function of the nominative case in relation to the subject of an intransitive verb in active-stative languages?

In active-stative languages, a case sometimes called nominative marks the subject of an intransitive verb only if that subject is considered voluntary. An involuntary subject of an intransitive verb is not marked by this case.

What does the sidebar indicate about the relationship between 'Nominative' and 'Morphosyntactic alignment'?

The sidebar lists 'Nominative' under the 'Cases' category, which is further organized by 'Morphosyntactic alignment.' This indicates that the nominative case is a key component within discussions of how grammatical roles like subject and object are marked and aligned in different languages.

What is the purpose of the 'Authority control' section at the end of the article?

The 'Authority control' section provides links to external databases (like Germany's GND and the Czech Republic's National Library) that catalog information about the topic. This helps users find related resources and ensures consistency in identifying the subject across different information systems.

What does the 'Improve categories' notice suggest about the article?

The 'Improve categories' notice indicates that the article needs additional or more specific categories to help list it with similar topics. It prompts users to add categories to improve the article's organization and discoverability within the larger knowledge base.

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Introduction to the Nominative Case

Core Grammatical Function

In the study of grammar, the nominative case, often abbreviated as NOM, represents one of the fundamental grammatical cases for nouns and other parts of speech. Its primary role is to designate the grammatical subject of a verb. In certain linguistic contexts, particularly in Latin and formal grammatical analyses of English, it also marks a predicative nominal or adjective, distinguishing these roles from the direct objects or other arguments of the verb. Typically, the noun phrase functioning as the subject—the entity performing an action or being described—is rendered in the nominative case. This form is frequently the default or dictionary citation form for words.

Etymological Roots

Tracing the Terminology

The English term "nominative" originates from the Latin phrase cāsus nominātīvus, which translates to "case for naming." This Latin term itself was a calque, or direct translation, of the Ancient Greek term onomastikḗ ptôsis (ὀνομαστικὴ πτῶσις), meaning "inflection for naming." The Greek root onomázō (ὀνομάζω) signifies "to call by name," derived from ónoma (ὄνομα), meaning "name." Ancient Greek grammarians, such as Dionysius Thrax in his seminal work "The Art of Grammar," referred to this case as orthḗ (ὀρθή) or euthêîa (εὐθεῖα), meaning "straight" or "upright." This designation contrasted it with the "bent" or oblique cases, highlighting its distinct grammatical function.

Key Characteristics

Defining Features

The reference form of certain parts of speech, often considered the least marked, is typically presented in the nominative case. However, this alone may not fully specify the word's form, as number and gender might also need to be indicated. For instance, the reference form of an adjective might be specified as the nominative masculine singular. Parts of speech that are frequently declined, and thus possess a nominative form, include nouns, adjectives, pronouns, and, less commonly, numerals and participles.

While the nominative case often signifies the subject of a verb, its function is not always tied to a specific relational role within a sentence. In many languages, the nominative case is unmarked morphologically, potentially indicated by a null morpheme. Furthermore, in the majority of languages that feature a nominative case, this form serves as the lemma—the canonical form used for dictionary entries and word citation.

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The Subjective Case Distinction

Nuances in English Grammar

Contemporary English grammar often employs the term subjective case rather than "nominative" to highlight specific distinctions in how this case functions within the language. This terminology emphasizes the differences between the generalized concept of the nominative case found in many languages and its particular application in English. Consequently, the term objective case is frequently used to encompass the oblique case roles, which include the accusative and dative functions, as well as objects governed by prepositions. The genitive case is typically referred to as the possessive form, rather than a case in its own right. Under this framework, English is described as possessing two primary cases: the subjective and the objective.

Illustrative Examples

Subject of a Verb

The nominative case fundamentally marks the subject of a verb. In active voice constructions, it identifies the agent performing the action. In passive voice constructions, it denotes the entity that receives the action.

The boy saw her. (Here, "The boy" is the subject in the nominative case, performing the action of seeing.)
She was seen by the boy. (Here, "She" is the subject in the nominative case, receiving the action of being seen.)

Predicate Noun or Adjective

In sentences employing a copula (a linking verb, such as "to be"), the nominative case is utilized for both the subject and the predicate nominal or adjective, establishing a direct equivalence or description.

Socrates was a wise man. (Both "Socrates" and "a wise man" are in the nominative case, linking the subject to its description.)
Socrates was wise. (Here, "Socrates" is nominative, and "wise" is a predicate adjective in the nominative case, describing Socrates.)

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The Nominative Case: Foundation of Grammatical Subjects

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Introduction to the Nominative Case ℹ️

🅰️ Core Grammatical Function

Etymological Roots 📜

🌍 Tracing the Terminology

Key Characteristics 💡

🔑 Defining Features

The Subjective Case Distinction 👤

⚖️ Nuances in English Grammar

Illustrative Examples 📊

➡️ Subject of a Verb

🔗 Predicate Noun or Adjective

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Introduction to the Nominative Case

Core Grammatical Function

Etymological Roots

Tracing the Terminology

Key Characteristics

Defining Features

The Subjective Case Distinction

Nuances in English Grammar

Illustrative Examples

Subject of a Verb

Predicate Noun or Adjective

Teacher's Corner

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Discover other topics to study!

References

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Important Notice for Learners