Definition

1. Noun (Grammar):
   • The grammatical case that identifies a noun or pronoun as the direct object of a verb. It marks the entity that receives the action of the verb.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • In the sentence "She read the book," the noun phrase "the book" is in the accusative case because it is the direct object of the verb "read."
  • In Latin, "puellam" (the girl) is the accusative case form of "puella," used when the girl is the object of the action.
  • The pronoun changes from "he" (nominative) to "him" (accusative) in the object position, as in "I saw him."

Advanced Usage

• Accusative with Certain Prepositions: In some languages (e.g., German, Latin), specific prepositions govern the accusative case, indicating motion towards or a duration of time.
  • In German, "für" (for) always requires the accusative case: "für mich" (for me).
• Accusative and Infinitive Construction: A complex sentence structure where the subject of an infinitive verb is in the accusative case.
  • In Latin, "I believe him to be good" is expressed with "him" in the accusative: "Eum bonum esse credo."

Variants and Related Words

• Accusative (adj.): Pertaining to or denoting the accusative case.
  • The word "whom" is the accusative form of "who."
• Objective Case: A term often used synonymously with "accusative case" in English grammar, especially for pronouns.

Synonyms

• Objective case

Related Phrases / Constructions

• Direct Object: The grammatical function typically fulfilled by a noun in the accusative case.
  • To find the accusative, identify the direct object of the verb.

Noun

1. the case of nouns serving as the direct object of a verb