Grammar for Everyone - Barbara Dykes 2007

Vocative
Introduction
Part II The parts of speech

The vocative case refers to the words by which you address persons or things, for example:

Hurry, girls, the play is about to start.

24.1 Activities: case

1. Students identify the case of each of the nouns or pronouns in the following sentences.

a. Dad sings in the shower.

b. Rory sat on a green mat.

c. Driver, please stop at the entrance.

d. Lucy’s sister has asthma.

e. Give the principal this note, Cassie.

2. Students write two sentences for each of the following words, using a different case for each, for example:

elephant:  My uncle has an elephant’s tusk. (genitive)

Elephants are reputed to have long memories. (nominative)

a. explosion

b. Queen Victoria

c. algebra

d. speaker

e. love

Checklist: case

Students should now be able to:

• define the term ’case’

• name the five cases which are applicable in English

• give the function of each

• state the case of any noun or pronoun in a given sentence

• suggest a reason why understanding case can be useful