MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Writing Practice Test

What is the nominative case used to indicate?

1. Objects of the preposition

2. Subjects of a verb

3. Pronouns in a possessive form

4. Asking questions about the noun

The correct answer is: Subjects of a verb

The nominative case is indeed used to indicate the subjects of a verb in a sentence. In English grammar, the subject performs the action of the verb or is described by the verb. For instance, in the sentence "The dog barks," "the dog" is the subject and is in the nominative case. This case is primarily associated with nouns and pronouns that act as the subject of a sentence or clause. Recognizing the role of the nominative case is crucial when constructing grammatically correct sentences, as it helps clarify who or what is performing the action. In contrast, the other options do not align with the function of the nominative case: objects of a preposition fall under the objective case, possessive forms indicate ownership, and asking questions does not pertain to a grammatical case but rather to the structure of a sentence. Understanding these distinctions allows for a clearer application of grammar rules in writing.