Nominative Case - Functions

Nouns and pronouns use the nominative case:

  1. when they are the subject of the verb
  2. when they are a predicate nominative, i.e., complete a linking verb (e.g., sein or werden)

1) Der Mann bleibt hier.
2) Das ist eine Bank. 		The man is staying here.
That is a bank.

Accusative Case - Functions

Nouns and pronouns use the accusative case:

  1. when they are the direct object of a verb.
  2. when they are the object of an accusative preposition.
  3. when they are the object of an accusative/dative preposition.
  4. when they are used in an expression of definite time.
  5. when they are used in conjunction with certain special expressions.

1) Ich sehe den Mann.
2) Wir gehen durch das Haus.
3) Sie geht in einen Laden.
4) Er macht das jeden Abend.
5) Wir sind ihn endlich los! 		I see the man.
We go through the house.
She goes into a store.
He does that every evening.
We finally are rid of him!

Dative Case - Functions

Nouns and pronouns use the dative case:

  1. when they are the indirect object of a verb
  2. when they are the object of a dative preposition.
  3. when they are the object of an accusative/dative preposition.
  4. when they are the object of a verb which requires the dative.
  5. when they are used in conjunction with certain special expressions.

1) Er gibt ihr zehn Mark.
2) Was hören Sie von ihm?
3) Das liegt auf dem Stuhl.
4) Ich danke Ihnen sehr.
5) Sei mir nicht böse! 		He gives her ten marks.
What do you hear from him?
That is lying on the chair.
I thank you very much.
Don't be angry with me!

Genitive Case - Functions

Nouns use the genitive case:

  1. when they indicate possession, or a relationship to another noun similar to that expressed by "of" in English
  2. when they are the object of a genitive preposition.
  3. when they are the object of a verb which requires the genitive.
  4. when they are used in conjunction with certain special expressions.
  5. when they are used in expressions of indefinite time.

1) Was ist der Name des Politikers?
2) Während der Nacht bleibt es kühl.
3) Man bedarf oft der Ruhe.
4) Er ist dieses Themas kundig.
5) Wir sprechen eines Tages davon. 		What is the politician's name?
During the night it stays cool.
One often has need of rest.
He is expert in this topic.
We will talk about it some day.

Personal pronouns - nominative case

The personal pronouns in the nominative case are:

Singular Plural Singular & Plural
ich = I wir = we
du = you (informal) ihr = you (informal plural) Sie = you (formal)
er = he, it (masculine)
sie = she, it (feminine)
es = it (neuter)		 sie = they

Interrogative pronouns

Interrogative pronouns introduce questions. In the various cases, their forms are as follows:

For persons For things
Nominative
Accusative
Dative
Genitive		 wer = who
wen = whom
wem = whom
wessen = whose		 was = what
was (or wo-compound) = what
was (or wo-compound) = what

Wer hat das gesagt?
Was hast du gesagt?
Wem hast du das gesagt? 		Who said that?
What did you say?
To whom did you say that?