(Grammar)Nominative+Case

Nominative Case
As we discussed here, nouns in Latin use cases for showing how a noun functions in the sentence. Since the subject is the keystone of any sentence, it seems only appropriate that the first case we look at is the one associated with this function- the nominative.

Usage: The nominative case is used to show that a noun is the subject of the sentence. In a sentence involving the linking verb //sum// (link to this forthcoming), the nominative is also used to show that a noun is a predicate noun or predicate nominative.


 * Subject- the noun on which the sentence focuses. In most situations, the noun is the doer of the action in the sentence (**Mark** throws the ball) or is described as "being" something (The **ball** is red; **Mark** is a boy). When we talk about passive voice of verbs later, the subject is the receiver of the action, but is still the noun on which the sentence focuses.


 * Predicate Noun/Nominative- in a sentence with a linking verb (a form of "to be" by itself), the predicate nominative is a noun that tells more about the subject. So, in the above sentence "Mark is a **boy**," "boy" describes Mark. This only works with linking verbs; think of them as an "equals" sign - Mark = boy.

Endings: Below are the endings for the nominative case by declension.


 * <  ||< Singular ||< Plural ||
 * < 1st ||< a ||< ae ||
 * < 2nd ||< us,-r (um) ||< i* (a) ||
 * < 3rd ||< NP ||< es* (a) ||
 * < 4th ||< us (u*) ||< us* (ua) ||
 * < 5th ||< es* ||< es* ||

Key:
 * * - denotes that the vowel is long. Usually, this is only important for pronunciation, though in a few instances, the length of the vowel differentiates one ending from a similar looking one elsewhere. For example, the 4th declension singular has a short "u," while the plural has a long "u." Unfortunately, there is no symbol for long in the symbols table, and to use an accented vowel instead does not accurately reflect the point of the long mark. We will get to pronunciation elsewhere.


 * - denotes an ending used on neuter nouns of this declension. These only appear in the nominative and the accusative cases; in all other cases, neuter nouns act just like their male and female counterparts. To use an analogy from English, "he" is a subject pronoun, while "him" is an object; but "it" is both subject and object. So, neuters pretty much act the same universally.


 * NP- No pattern. Unlike the other four declensions, the 3rd declension has a variety of endings in the nominative singular. Therefore, to write one or two here would make it seem like they are the only ones to look for. Typically, if the nominative looks weird, its a 3rd declension noun. Some frequent ones unique to 3rd include -(t)or, -x, -ns, -tas*, and -o*

So, here are some sentences involving the nominative case:


 * 1) **Nautae** ad insulam navigare parant. - The sailors prepare to sail to the island. Notice that, even though //nautae// is in the first position, it is the ending that makes it the subject of the sentence.


 * 1) **Clemens** est **servus**.- Clemens is a slave. The verb //est// is a form of the linking verb, and so we surround it with nominative nouns.