THE NOMINATIVE CASE By Corey Keating at Its Syntactical Classification

Uses of the nominative A. Subject nominative A. Subject nominative B. Predicate nominative B. Predicate nominative C. Nominative of appellation C. Nominative of appellation D. Nominative of direct address D. Nominative of direct address E. Independent nominative E. Independent nominative

A. Subject nominative Subject Nominative. Subject Nominative. When a word is used as the subject of a finite verb, it is usually in the nominative case. When a word is used as the subject of a finite verb, it is usually in the nominative case.subjectfinite verb nominative casesubjectfinite verb nominative case John 1:14, “The Word became flesh.” John 1:14, “The Word became flesh.” Note: The above sentence follows the S-LV-C(NOUN) grammatical structure. Subject, The Word; linking verb, became; complement noun, flesh. Note: The above sentence follows the S-LV-C(NOUN) grammatical structure. Subject, The Word; linking verb, became; complement noun, flesh.

B. Predicate nominative Predicate Nominative. Predicate Nominative. The object of a copulative (linking) verb will also usually be in the nominative case, rather than in the accusative case as would be expected. The object of a copulative (linking) verb will also usually be in the nominative case, rather than in the accusative case as would be expected.objectcopulative accusative caseobjectcopulative accusative case John 1:14, “The Word became flesh.” John 1:14, “The Word became flesh.” The above sentence follows the S- LV-C(N) sentence pattern. The above sentence follows the S- LV-C(N) sentence pattern.

C. Nominative of appellation Nominative of Appellation. Nominative of Appellation. Sometimes a proper noun is used in the nominative case, regardless of what role it plays in the sentence. Sometimes a proper noun is used in the nominative case, regardless of what role it plays in the sentence. John 13:13, “You call me Teacher and Lord.” John 13:13, “You call me Teacher and Lord.” Note: The above sentence follows the S-V- O-OC(N) pattern in grammar. Note: The above sentence follows the S-V- O-OC(N) pattern in grammar. Example: I call him a friend. Example: I call him a friend. I is the subject, call is the verb, him is the object, friend is the complement that modifies the object. The complement may also be the nominative of appellation. I is the subject, call is the verb, him is the object, friend is the complement that modifies the object. The complement may also be the nominative of appellation.

D. Nominative of direct address Nominative of Direct Address (Vocative). Nominative of Direct Address (Vocative). When speaking directly to a person, addressing them by name, often their name will be in the nominative case. When speaking directly to a person, addressing them by name, often their name will be in the nominative case. Acts 26:19, “Wherefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.” Acts 26:19, “Wherefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.”

E. Independent nominative Independent Nominative. Independent Nominative. Oftentimes the nominative case will be used in expressions where no finite verb exists, such as in Exclamations, Salutations, Titles of Books, and in Parenthetic, Absolute, and Proverbial Expressions. Oftentimes the nominative case will be used in expressions where no finite verb exists, such as in Exclamations, Salutations, Titles of Books, and in Parenthetic, Absolute, and Proverbial Expressions. finite verb finite verb Romans 11:33, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” Romans 11:33, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!”