Cases of Nouns

The  nouns have two cases : the Common and the Possessive: 

 

                                                     

The Common case of the Noun

Nouns in common case do not have any ending, they have a form given in the dictionary and perform the functions direct object and indirect object.

If a noun goes before a verb, it acts as the subject of the sentence: The teacher recognized his students.

The word “teacher” is the subject because it is the main person who performs an action.

If a noun goes after a verb, it acts as the object of this sentence and is called the direct object: The students recognized the teacher. A word “teacher” is a direct object because it receives the verb’s action and answers to questions like, What? or Whom?.

There can be a noun between a verb and the direct object, which is called an indirect object. It answers questions for whom? to whom? of what? and always accompanies a direct object. The guide showed the tourists a way. The word “tourists” is an indirect object.

 

 

                                                     

 

The Possessive Case of the Nouns

The Nouns in the possessive case have a special ending. The nouns in the possessive case answer the question whose? and show ownership.

There are some general rules for forming the Possessive case for different types of nouns: animate things, celestial bodies, time, distance, value, and inanimate things:

Animate objects (e.g., persons, animals):

Singular: Add an apostrophe and an “s” (‘s) to the noun. Example: The dog’s leash.

Plural: If the plural form of the noun ends in “s,” add only an apostrophe (‘).

Example: The dogs’ leashes. (multiple dogs)

 

Inanimate objects (e.g., objects, places):

Singular: Add an apostrophe and an “s” (‘s) to the noun. Example: The car’s engine.

Plural: If the plural form of the noun doesn’t end in “s,” add an apostrophe and an “s” (‘s).

Example: the children’s toys. (multiple children)

 

Celestial bodies (e.g., sun, moon, planets):

Singular: Add an apostrophe and an “s” (‘s) to the noun. Example: The sun’s rays.

Plural: If the plural form of the noun doesn’t end in “s,” add an apostrophe and an “s” (‘s).

Example: The nebulae’s gases.

 

Time Expressions:

Add an apostrophe and an “s” (‘s) to the noun.

Example: A year’s worth of work.

 

Distance Expressions:

Add an apostrophe and an “s” (‘s) to the noun.

Example: a mile’s length.

Value Expressions:

Add an apostrophe and an “s” (‘s) to the noun.

Example: The painting’s value.

 

 

 

 

Examples of exceptions and alternative forms for possessives:

There may be exceptions or irregularities in certain cases. Additionally, some nouns may have alternative forms for possessives.

Animate Objects:

Singular: Some nouns ending in “s” or “z” sounds may add only an apostrophe (‘), without an additional “s.”

Example: Jesus’ teachings, Achilles’ heel.

Plural: Certain irregular plural nouns may add only an apostrophe (‘), without an additional “s.”

Example: the children’s books, the women’s rights.

 

Inanimate Objects:

Singular: In some cases, particularly with names of ancient or classical origin, an apostrophe is added without an additional “s.”

Example: The conscience’ role, Socrates’ philosophy.

Plural: Similar to animate objects, irregular plural nouns may add only an apostrophe (‘), without an additional “s.”

Example: the mice’s nest, the geese’s migration.

 

Celestial Bodies:

Singular: The possessive form of “it” (referring to celestial bodies) is “its” without an apostrophe.

Example: The moon is known for its gravitational pull.

 

Time Expressions:

Some time expressions use a different structure altogether instead of the possessive form.

Example: One year’s time -> In one year, three weeks’ vacation -> Three weeks of vacation.

 

Distance Expressions and Value Expressions:

Generally, there are no notable exceptions or alternative forms for possessives in distance or value.

 

 

 

 The possessive case of plural nouns:

The possessive case of plural nouns is formed by adding just an apostrophe to the noun:

the boys’ sticks             these teachers’ bags                    the horses’ legs

The nouns without ending [s, es] in plural form the possessive case in the same way as in singular by adding

‘s to the noun:

the child’s room

three children’s rooms                    

the man’s newspaper 

two men’s newspapers          

the woman’s umbrella        

these women’s umbrellas                 

When the same thing has two possessors, the possessive case is formed by adding’s to the last noun.

Peter and Helen’s room is not large.

 

 

                               

 

 The Possessive case is used by using the phrase:

There is another way to form the Possessive case by using the of  phrase:

My friend’s mother = the mother of my friend

The student’s answer = the answer of the student

 

When forming the possessive case using an “of” phrase, the structure is slightly different compared to using the possessive apostrophe (‘s). Instead of directly indicating possession, the “of” phrase shows a relationship between two nouns. Here’s how it works:

Instead of saying “John’s car,” you would say “the car of John” or “the car of John’s.” In this construction, “John” is the possessor or owner, and “car” is the thing possessed. The word “of” serves to connect the two nouns and indicate the relationship.

Examples to illustrate the formation of possessive using an “of” phrase:

The tail of the dog.      The roof of the house.

The color of the sky.        The value of the painting.

The name of the book.     The size of the shoes.

 

Using the possessive apostrophe (‘s) is generally more common and concise in English. However, there are instances where the “of” phrase is preferred, especially when dealing with more complex or abstract relationships.

Very rarely, there are two nouns in the possessive case.

In such cases, it is used the of phrase. Instead of:

He is my sister’s husband’s father.

must be written.

He is the father of my sister’s husband.

A word group with the same semantic meaning can also be used in the possessive case, where’s is added to the last word of the group:

My elder sister Mary’s son is very smart.

But, in such cases, the use of the phrase is appropriate:

The son of my elder sister, Mary, is smart.

 

 

 

 

The possessive case with the words: house, office, shop:

The words house, office, and shop are often omitted while using the possessive case:

I rested at my uncle’s (at the house).

He went to the chemist’s (to the shop).

Time and distance are used in the possessive case:

She had a month’s vacation last summer.

He lives at a kilometer’s distance from his office.

 

The Nouns denoting countries, cities, and ships  are used in the possessive case:

New York is America’s greatest business center.

Rome’s operas are the best in the world.

The “Neva’s” cargo was wheat and barley.

Egypt has the world’s best known pyramids.

My country’s best-known product is beautiful carpets.

The ship’s crew stood on deck.

 

Some adverbs of time are used in the possessive case:

today’s newspaper

yesterday’s meeting

tomorrow’s match

 

 

 

The following phrases are used in the possessive case:

For order’s sake,

For old acquaintance’s sake,

At a stone