Case: Definition, Types & Examples

In English grammar, case refers to the relationship of a noun or pronoun to other words in a sentence, indicating its function—whether it’s a subject, object, or showing possession. While Old English and many other languages (like Latin, German, or Russian) have complex case systems that change a word’s form depending on its grammatical role, modern English relies primarily on word order and a limited set of forms, mostly visible in pronouns.

Table of contents

What Is Case?

Case is the form a noun, pronoun, or (rarely) adjective takes to signal its function within a sentence. The function can be as the subject performing an action, the object receiving an action, or the owner of something (possession).

In English, case is most evident in pronouns (I/me, he/him, she/her, they/them, who/whom) and in the use of apostrophes to indicate possession in nouns.

Types of Case in English

Traditional English grammar identifies three primary cases:

1. Nominative (Subjective) Case
2. Objective (Accusative) Case
3. Possessive (Genitive) Case

1. Nominative (Subjective) Case

The nominative case is used when a noun or pronoun functions as the subject of a clause or sentence. It indicates who or what performs the action of the verb or is the topic under discussion.

Subjective Case Pronouns

Used as the subject of a sentence or clause.

Examples:

• I love reading books.
• He is working on the project.
• We are planning a trip.

Key Points:

• Use the nominative case when the pronoun is the subject of a sentence or clause.
• Also used after linking verbs to identify or rename the subject:
  • “It is I who made the cake.” (Formal English; many people say “It’s me” informally.)

2. Objective (Accusative) Case

The objective case is used when a noun or pronoun functions as the object of a verb or a preposition. It indicates who or what receives the action.

Objective Case Pronouns

Used as the object of a verb or preposition.

Examples:

• The teacher called me.
• They gave the book to her.
• The gift is for us.

Key Points:

• The objective case is used for direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of prepositions.
• Common error: Using “I” instead of “me” in compound objects.
  • Incorrect: “The gift was for John and I.”
  • Correct: “The gift was for John and me.”

3. Possessive (Genitive) Case

The possessive case shows ownership, relationship, or association. Nouns generally take an apostrophe (’s or s’) to indicate possession, while pronouns have distinct possessive forms.

Possessive Case Pronouns

Indicate ownership or possession.
Possessive pronouns are divided into adjective forms (used before nouns) and absolute forms (standalone).

Examples:

• Adjective form: This is my book.
• Absolute form: The book is mine.
• Adjective form: That is their house.
• Absolute form: The house is theirs.

Examples of Possessive Nouns:

• The girl’s bicycle (apostrophe + s for singular)
• The students’ lounge (apostrophe after s for plural)

Key Points:

• Possessive case can be shown by adding apostrophes to nouns.
• Pronouns have unique possessive forms and do not need apostrophes to show possession (e.g., it’s = “it is,” not possessive; its = possessive).

Here’s a concise table summarizing the primary cases in English grammar with their definitions, examples, and functions:

Case in Nouns vs. Pronouns

Nouns:

• Nouns in modern English do not change form for nominative or objective case; their function is determined by word order.
• Nouns only clearly change form in the possessive case (adding ’s or s’).

Pronouns:

• Personal pronouns change forms for different cases:
  • Nominative: I, he, she, we, they
  • Objective: me, him, her, us, them
  • Possessive: my/mine, his, her/hers, our/ours, their/theirs

Example with Pronouns:

• Subject: I saw her at the park. (I = nominative as subject; her = objective as object)
• Possession: The book is mine.

Who vs. Whom: Understanding Case

The distinction between “who” and “whom” is a well-known case issue in English.

• Who is nominative (subject)
• Whom is objective (object)

Examples:

• “Who is calling?” (Who = subject)
• “To whom did you speak?” (Whom = object of the preposition “to”)

Tip:
If you can replace it with “he” (subject), use “who.” If you can replace it with “him” (object), use “whom.”

• “You spoke to whom?” → You spoke to him → “whom” is correct.
• “Who is at the door?” → He is at the door → “who” is correct.

Common Mistakes and Tips

1. Me vs. I in Compound Subjects or Objects:
   • Incorrect: “John and me went to the store.”
   • Correct: “John and I went to the store.” (I = subject)
   • Incorrect: “The gift is for John and I.”
   • Correct: “The gift is for John and me.” (me = object)
2. Using Possessive Forms Correctly:
   • Its vs. It’s:
     • “It’s” = “it is” or “it has.”
     • “Its” = possessive form of “it.”
   • “The dog wagged its tail.”
   • “It’s raining outside.”
3. Whose vs. Who’s:
   • “Who’s” = “who is” or “who has.”
   • “Whose” = possessive form.
   • “Whose coat is this?”
   • “Who’s coming with me?”

While English does not have a complex case system for nouns and adjectives like some other languages, the concept of case remains important for understanding how pronouns change form to show their role in a sentence. Knowing when to use nominative, objective, and possessive forms clarifies who is doing what to whom and who owns what.