Nominative Case in English Grammar: Definition, Rules, Examples and Exercises

Understanding cases in English grammar helps students identify the role of nouns and pronouns in a sentence. One of the most important cases is the nominative case, which is used for the subject of a sentence and for subject complements after linking verbs. 

In this guide, you will learn what the nominative case is, how to identify it, nominative case examples, nominative case pronouns, the nominative case of nouns, differences between the nominative and objective case, common errors, and practice exercises.

Table of Contents

• What is Nominative Case?
• How to Identify the Nominative Case?
• Nominative Case for Subject Complements
• Nominative Case Pronouns
• Nominative Case of Nouns
• Nominative Case vs Objective Case vs Genitive Case
• Common Errors When Using Nominative Case
• Examples of Nominative Case
• Nominative Case Exercises

What is Nominative Case?

In English grammar, the nominative case, also called the subjective case, is the grammatical case used for the subject of a sentence or for a subject complement after a linking verb. It refers to the noun or pronoun that performs the action of the verb or is being described.

The nominative case also called the subjective case. It is a grammatical case used for the subject of a sentence. The subject is the person, animal, place, or thing that performs the action or is being described.

In simple terms: whenever you can point to the ‘who’ or ‘what’ that is carrying out the action of the sentence, you have found the nominative case.

Nominative Case Definition

The nominative case is the form of a noun or pronoun used when it acts as the subject of a sentence or as a subject complement after a linking verb.

Examples:

• Riya reads every evening.

• The teacher explained the lesson clearly.

In each sentence, the noun is the subject and is therefore in the nominative case.

Using the correct nominative form improves:

• Sentence structure

• Grammar accuracy

• Spoken English

• Academic writing

 

How to Identify the Nominative Case?

The easiest way to spot the nominative case is to ask “Who or what is doing the action?” before the verb. Whatever answers that question is the nominative.

Example 1: 

• Rohan won the race.
  Who won the race?
  Rohan (nominative)

• They are playing football.
  Who are playing football?
  They (nominative)

Example 2:

• The train arrived on time.
  What arrived on time?
  The train (nominative)

• The bird built a nest.
  What built a nest?
  The bird (nominative)

In every case, the word that answers “who” or “what” before the verb is the subject, and the subject is always in the nominative case.

 

Nominative Case for Subject Complements

The nominative case is not reserved only for subjects. It is also used for subject complements, which rename or describe the subject after a linking verb such as ‘is’, ‘was’, ‘am’, or ‘were.’

Examples: 

• Priya is the captain.
  ‘Priya’ is nominative because it is the subject of is, and ‘captain’ is subject complement because it renames the subject ‘Priya.’

• The winner was Sarah.
  ‘Winner’ is nominative because it is the subject of was, and ‘Sarah’ is subject complement because it renames the subject as a subject complement.

• This is she.
  ‘This’ is the subject, and ‘she’ is the subject complement. Both are in the nominative case.

 

Nominative Case Pronouns

The nominative case pronouns, also called subject pronouns or subjective pronouns, are I, you, he, she, it, we, they, who, and whoever.

Examples in sentences:

• I admire people who work hard.

• She painted her nails bright red.

• The best singers at karaoke were you and I.

• Who is your favourite author?
  
  

Nominative Case of Nouns

Unlike pronouns, most English nouns do not change their form according to grammatical case. Whether a noun is used as the subject or object, its spelling usually remains the same. For example:

• Rahul plays football.

• I met Rahul yesterday.

In both sentences, the noun ‘Rahul’ has the same form. However, in the first sentence it is in the nominative case because it functions as the subject.

 

Nominative Case vs Objective Case vs Genitive Case

English pronouns and nouns can appear in three cases, and telling them apart is central to using correct grammar.

 

Common Errors When Using Nominative Case 

• Using ‘whom’ instead of ‘who’ as a subject
  ‘Who’ is correct whenever it is the subject of a verb; ‘whom’ is reserved for objects.
  Incorrect: Whom is your favourite author?
  Correct: Who is your favourite author?

• Using object pronouns in compound subjects
  When a pronoun forms part of a compound subject it must stay in the nominative case.
  Incorrect: Him and Kieran flew to Poland to film a movie.
  Correct: He and Kieran flew to Poland to film a movie.

• Adding an apostrophe to plural nominatives
  Apostrophes belong to the genitive (possessive) case, not the nominative case. A plural subject never needs one.
  Incorrect: Our cat's love shrimp and salmon.
  Correct: Our cats love shrimp and salmon.

• Misusing pronoun pairs like ‘you and I’ / ‘you and me’
  ‘You and I’ is correct only when the pair is the subject of the sentence; ‘you and me’ is correct when the pair is a direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition.
  Examples:

  • You and I should have lunch. 

• • The restaurant reserved a table for you and me.

 

Examples of Nominative Case

Here are some nominative case examples.

• The sun shines brightly.

• My brother likes chess.

• We enjoy travelling.

• He studies every day.

• They play basketball.

• Birds build nests.

• The train arrived on time.

• She speaks confidently.

• I completed my homework.

• The children laughed happily.

• The leader is she.

• The winner was he.

• It is I.

• Rahul and Meera are classmates.

• My parents and I visited the museum.

• Dogs and cats can live together peacefully.

 

Nominative Case Exercises

Exercise 1: Identify the Nominative Case 

Identify the noun or pronoun in the nominative case in each sentence below.

1. She is a doctor.

2. I am happy.

3. He is my friend.

4. We will have a party tonight.

5. You are very talented.

6. They are going on a trip next week.

7. This car is mine.

8. His dog is very friendly.

9. Our house is big.

10. Your favourite movie is playing at the theatre.

Answers: 

1. She 

2. I 

3. He 

4. We 

5. You 

6. They 

7. Car

8. Dog

9. House

10. Movie 

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Pronoun

1. (He/Him) is my cousin.

2. (She/Her) sings beautifully.

3. (They/Them) arrived early.

4. (We/Us) completed the assignment.

5. (I/Me) enjoy reading novels.

Answers:

1. He

2. She

3. They

4. We

5. I