Use of Cases
Nominative
The nominative is the subject of the sentence, and names the object (be it a person or a thing) about which the sentence revolves, hence why the case is called the 'nominative' (from the latin nomen, meaning 'name').
When used with a active verb, the nominative case is the case used for the person that does the action:
i.e. Vesta tegit pecuniam; Vesta protects the money.
When used with a passive verb however, the subject (i.e. that which is in the nominative) has the verb done to it:
i.e. pecunia a Vesta tegitur; the money is protected by Vesta.
The nominative can also be used for a compliment:
i.e. Vesta est mea soror; Vesta is my sister.
n.b.
A subordinate clause can only introduce a new nominative if it contains its own finite verb, since the infinitive does not count, the subject of an indirect statement is in the accusitive.
When used with a active verb, the nominative case is the case used for the person that does the action:
i.e. Vesta tegit pecuniam; Vesta protects the money.
When used with a passive verb however, the subject (i.e. that which is in the nominative) has the verb done to it:
i.e. pecunia a Vesta tegitur; the money is protected by Vesta.
The nominative can also be used for a compliment:
i.e. Vesta est mea soror; Vesta is my sister.
n.b.
A subordinate clause can only introduce a new nominative if it contains its own finite verb, since the infinitive does not count, the subject of an indirect statement is in the accusitive.
Vocative
The vocative is used when adressing or speaking to someone (or something) directly. Hence why the case is called the 'vocative' (from the latin voco, meaning 'call').
This case is normally used with the imperative.
i.e. discede fili; depart son
n.b
The vocative has the same form as the nominative for all plural and singular endings, apart from second declension nouns that end in '-us'.
When the vocative is used in a formal address, or as a dignified form of address (for example, when addressing gods of kings in supplication), it is normal preceded with an 'o'.
The vocative is used when adressing or speaking to someone (or something) directly. Hence why the case is called the 'vocative' (from the latin voco, meaning 'call').
This case is normally used with the imperative.
i.e. discede fili; depart son
n.b
The vocative has the same form as the nominative for all plural and singular endings, apart from second declension nouns that end in '-us'.
When the vocative is used in a formal address, or as a dignified form of address (for example, when addressing gods of kings in supplication), it is normal preceded with an 'o'.
Accusative
The accusative is most frequently used to show the object of a sentence (getting its name from the latin accuso, meaning 'accuse'): the thing that is having the verb done to it.
i.e. puer
The accusative is most frequently used to show the object of a sentence (getting its name from the latin accuso, meaning 'accuse'): the thing that is having the verb done to it.
i.e. puer
