accusative

Everyday

1. In grammar, the accusative (or accusative case) is the form of a noun or pronoun used when it is the object of a verb, the one the action is done to. tree →
2. In English we see it only in pronouns: «me, him, her, us, them, whom» (for example, «She saw him»). tree →

In the lessons

In grammar and language lessons (English, Latin, German, Russian, Ukrainian), pupils learn that many languages change word endings for the accusative; in German, «der Hund» (the dog) becomes «den Hund» when it is the object. In English, «He saw me» (not «He saw I») shows the same idea. Phrases: «in the accusative», «accusative case».

Examples

• In «The dog bit him», «him» is in the accusative. tree →
• In German, «der» changes to «den» in the accusative. tree →
• Latin nouns have different endings in the accusative. tree →
• «Whom» is the accusative form of «who». tree →
• Our language teacher drew a table of nominative and accusative pronouns. tree →
• In Ukrainian the accusative of «книга» (book) is «книгу». tree →

Note

Grammar word. Say «a-KYOO-za-tiv». English grammar books often call it the «object case» or «objective». Partner: the nominative (the subject form: I, he, she, we, they). It has nothing to do with accusing anyone, though it comes from the same Latin word.