English Objective Case Structures: Examples and Usage
English grammar involves the use of different grammatical structures, including the objective case. This case structure, also known as the oblique case, is used in instances when the noun or pronoun serves as the object of a verb, a preposition, or an infinitive. It is also used after certain verbs. In this article, we will explore examples of objective case structures and how they are used.
Objective Case as Direct Object
When a noun or pronoun functions as the direct object of a verb, it is in the objective case. For instance, in the sentence "She gave him a book," "him" is in the objective case because it is the recipient of the book. Another example is "I saw her at the mall," where "her" is in the objective case as it receives the action of seeing.
Objective Case as Indirect Object
In a sentence where there are two objects, the direct and indirect objects, the indirect object is in the objective case. For example, in the sentence "He gave his sister a present," "sister" is the indirect object and is in the objective case, as it receives the intended action of the gift. Another example is "She told me a secret," where "me" is the indirect object and is also in the objective case.
Objective Case as Object of Preposition
Prepositions are words that show the relationship between two words in a sentence. When a noun or pronoun follows a preposition, it is in the objective case. For instance, in the sentence "She sat beside him," "him" is in the objective case as it follows the preposition "beside." Another example is "He went to the store with her," where "her" is in the objective case as it follows the preposition "with."
Objective Case after Certain Verbs
There are certain verbs that require the use of the objective case after them. These include verbs of feeling, such as love, like, and hate, as well as construction verbs such as make, let, and have. For example, in the sentence "He made him the captain of the team," "him" is in the objective case after the verb "made." Another example is "She let me borrow her car," where "me" is in the objective case after the verb "let."
In conclusion, the objective case is an important grammatical structure in English that is used in situations when a noun or pronoun functions as the object of a verb, a preposition, or an infinitive. It is also used after certain verbs. By understanding how to use and identify objective case structures, you can improve your English language skills.