Case-Unknown fact, Definition, Types & Examples

Case in English grammar refers to the form a noun or pronoun takes to show its function in a sentence. The concept of case applies primarily to pronouns in Modern English.

Definition: Case is basically a discussion of some grammatical functions of Noun and Pronoun.

Read more: Gender in English Grammar

Types of Case

There are basically 3 types of cases.

For examples:

1. Subjective case

2. Objective case

3. Possessive case

Subjective case

The nouns/pronouns that sit in the position of the subject in the sentence are called subjective case.

For example:

Mir works in a factory.

She tries to overcome the problem.

I want to reach there.

Walking is called the best exercise.

NOTE: In the above four sentences, the words Mir, She, I, Walking are respectively placed as the subject of the sentence, they are considered as subjective case.

Unknown fact of subjective case :

1. Subjective case is another name of Nominative caseG

2. Geerund and subjective case, because the noun is hidden in the gerund.

3. The adjective form of the word subject is subjective

4. In general – when multiple pronouns are placed at the beginning of a sentence as “subjective case”, they follow a definite rule.

For example: first second person “you” then third person “he, she, my name” and finally 1st person “I”

Objective case:

When a noun/peonoun is the object of a transitive verb in a sentence, it is called objective case.

For example:

Soma does not eat Thai food.

She loves pizza.

Rita follows Rani.

Robin told me something.

I like swimming.

Note: The underlined words in the above sentences are objective case, because the words are placed after the transitive verb (eat, love, told, follow, like).

Unknown fact of objective case:

1. Objective case is another name of accusative

2. Transitive verb is the verb that has object or action.

3. Sometimes transitive verb has two objects, in this case both objects are called objective case.

For example: She gave me a flower. I presented him a gift.

Possessive case:

Denotes the relation of possession, in other words refers to something possessed by the noun/pronoun.

For example:

Mrinal’s house is near the old temple.

Her brother lives in the village.

My family does not allow this.

Kohinur’s husband has passed away.

Unknown fact of possessive case:

1. Possessive case is another name of Genitive case.

2. Possessive case+noun = Noun phrase. For example: Mir’s house, My pen, Tipu’s opinion etc.

3. Nouns that have “s” in front of them or names that are used in the plural sense, do not need to add apostrophe “s” to make them possessive, just add a “comma” at the end of the noun. For example: Incorrect: Sam’s pen, Pears’ book, Boys’ school, Girls school

Correct: Sam’s pen, Pears’ book, Boys’ school, Girls’ school

The three cases are represented in the table:

NOTE: Another type of Case is double possessive. For example: mine, ours, theirs, yours etc. These are not treated as special types of Case.

Another type of case is the vocative case. However, Modern English gc vocative case is not discussed with much importance.

Vocative case:

Basically the vocative noun/pronoun, which refers to a person, and the vocative case is separated by a comma.

For example:

Roni, may I ask you a question?

You, get out now.

Listien to me, Rovert

How are you, Priya?

NOTed: Roni,You,Rovert,Priya “vocative case” in above sentences respectively. Because the rest of the speech is addressed to them and these vocative cases are separated by commas.