Noun Case - Definition, Rules, Examples & Exercises | EnglishEraWithAmitPoonia

 

What is Noun Case?

The case of a noun tells us the role or function a noun plays in a sentence—whether it is the subject, object, shows possession, is a complement, is in apposition, or is used for addressing someone.

Noun Case यह बताता है कि वाक्य में संज्ञा (noun) का क्या काम है— क्या वह कर्ता (subject) है, कर्म (object) है, अधिकार/स्वामित्व दिखा रही है, पूरक (complement) है, समानाधिकरण (apposition) में है, या संवोधन (addressing) के लिए प्रयोग हुई है।

Types of Noun Case

1.     Subjective Case

2.     Objective Case

3.     Possessing the Noun 

4.     Complement of the Verb  

5.     Case in Apposition  

6.     Nominative of Address   

1. Subject of the Verb - (Subjective / Nominative Case)

When a noun acts as the subject and performs the action of the verb, it is said to be in the Nominative Case.

जब कोई संज्ञा क्रिया करने वाला (कर्ता) होती है, तब वह कर्ता कारक (Nominative Case) में होती है।

Key Points to Remember:

1. The subject usually comes before the verb.

2. It answers the question “Who?” or “What?” before the verb.

3. It agrees with the verb in number and person.

1. Subject आमतौर पर verb से पहले आता है।

2. यह प्रश्नों का उत्तर देता है: कौन? क्या?

3. Verb, subject के अनुसार बदलता है।

Examples of Subject of the Verb

1. Simple Sentences

Ram plays football.
राम फुटबॉल खेलता है।
(Here, Ram is the subject because he performs the action.)

The boy laughs.
लड़का हँसता है।

2. Subject as a Thing

The sun rises in the east.
सूरज पूर्व में उगता है।

The bell rings.
घंटी बजती है।

3. Subject in Plural Form

The students are studying.
छात्र पढ़ाई कर रहे हैं।

Dogs bark at strangers.
कुत्ते अजनबियों पर भौंकते हैं।

4. Subject with Helping Verb

She is singing a song.
वह एक गाना गा रही है।

They have completed the work.
उन्होंने काम पूरा कर लिया है।

5. Subject in Question Form

Who broke the window?
खिड़की किसने तोड़ी?

What made him angry?
उसे गुस्सा किस बात ने दिलाया?

How to Identify the Subject - (Subject पहचानने का तरीका)

English Method:
Ask “Who/What + verb?”

Hindi Method:
पूछें “कौन/क्या + क्रिया?”

Example:
The teacher teaches English.
कौन पढ़ाता है? - The teacher (Subject)

Common Mistake:

❌ The subject is not always a person.
✔ It can be a thing, place, animal, or idea.

Example:
Honesty is the best policy.
ईमानदारी सबसे अच्छी नीति है।

Conclusion:

The Subject of the Verb is the doer of the action and is always in the Subjective (Nominative) Case.

Subject of the Verb वह होता है जो क्रिया करता है, और वह हमेशा कर्ता कारक (Subjective / Nominative Case) में होता है।

WHO (कौन?) से Subject पहचानने वाले वाक्य

जब काम करने वाला व्यक्ति/जानवर हो, तो Who (कौन?) पूछते हैं।

Example 1

Sentence: Ram is reading a book.
Question: Who is reading?
Answer: Ram
Ram = Subject

राम किताब पढ़ रहा है।
कौन पढ़ रहा है? → राम

Example 2

Sentence: The teacher teaches English.
Question: Who teaches English?
Answer: The teacher
The teacher = Subject

अध्यापक अंग्रेज़ी पढ़ाते हैं।
कौन पढ़ाता है? → अध्यापक

Example 3

Sentence: My father works in an office.
Question: Who works in an office?
Answer: My father
My father = Subject

मेरे पिता कार्यालय में काम करते हैं।
कौन काम करता है? → मेरे पिता

Example 4

Sentence: The children are playing outside.
Question: Who are playing outside?
Answer: The children
The children = Subject

बच्चे बाहर खेल रहे हैं।
कौन खेल रहे हैं? → बच्चे

WHAT (क्या?) से Subject पहचानने वाले वाक्य

जब वस्तु, विचार या चीज़ काम कर रही हो, तो What (क्या?) पूछते हैं।

Example 1

Sentence: The sun rises in the east.
Question: What rises in the east?
Answer: The sun
The sun = Subject

सूरज पूर्व में उगता है।
क्या उगता है? → सूरज

Example 2

Sentence: The bell is ringing.
Question: What is ringing?
Answer: The bell
The bell = Subject

घंटी बज रही है।
क्या बज रही है? → घंटी

Example 3

Sentence: Honesty is the best policy.
Question: What is the best policy?
Answer: Honesty
Honesty = Subject

ईमानदारी सबसे अच्छी नीति है।
क्या सबसे अच्छी नीति है? → ईमानदारी

Very Easy Rule for Students

1. Person / Animal → Who (कौन?)

2. Thing / Idea → What (क्या?)

2. Object of the Verb - (Objective / Accusative Case)

When a noun receives the action of the verb, it is in the Objective Case.

जब संज्ञा पर क्रिया का प्रभाव पड़ता है, तब वह कर्म कारक (Objective Case) में होती है।

How to Identify the Object

English Rule:
Ask “What?” or “Whom?” after the verb.

Hindi Rule:
क्रिया के बाद पूछें “क्या?” या “किसे / किसको?

जिस शब्द का उत्तर मिले, वही Object होता है।

1. She bought a book.
   Ask → She bought what? → a book
   वह एक किताब खरीदती है।
   पूछें → वह क्या खरीदती है? → किताब (Object)

2. He is watching a movie.
   Ask → He is watching what? → a movie
   वह एक फिल्म देख रहा है।
   पूछें → वह क्या देख रहा है? → फिल्म (Object)

3. I met my teacher.
   Ask → I met whom? → my teacher
   मैं अपने अध्यापक से मिला।
   पूछें → मैं किससे / किसको मिला? → अध्यापक (Object)

4. They invited their friends.
   Ask → They invited whom? → their friends
   उन्होंने अपने दोस्तों को बुलाया।
   पूछें → उन्होंने किसको बुलाया? → दोस्तों (Object)

5. She helped the poor man.
   Ask → She helped whom? → the poor man
   उसने गरीब आदमी की मदद की।
   पूछें → उसने किसकी / किसको मदद की? → गरीब आदमी (Object)

6. We are learning English.
   Ask → We are learning what? → English
   हम अंग्रेज़ी सीख रहे हैं।
   पूछें → हम क्या सीख रहे हैं? → अंग्रेज़ी (Object)

Types of Objects in Double Object

Some verbs take two objects in the same sentence. These are called Double Object verbs.

कुछ क्रियाओं के साथ वाक्य में दो कर्म (objects) आते हैं। इसे Double Object कहा जाता है।

1. Direct Object (DO)
2. Indirect Object (IO)

1. Direct Object (DO)

A Direct Object is a noun or pronoun that directly receives the action of the verb.
It answers the questions “what?” or “whom?” after the verb.

Direct Object वह संज्ञा या सर्वनाम होता है जिस पर क्रिया का सीधा प्रभाव पड़ता है।
यह प्रश्नों का उत्तर देता है: क्या? किसे? / किसको?

A. Is a Direct Object Living or Non-living?

A Direct Object can be living or non-living. It depends on what receives the action, not on whether it is alive.

Direct Object सजीव (living) या निर्जीव (non-living) दोनों हो सकता है। यह इस बात पर निर्भर करता है कि क्रिया का प्रभाव किस पर पड़ रहा है।

1. Non-living Direct Object:

She bought a book.

उसने एक किताब खरीदी।

(What did she buy? → a book)

2. Living Direct Object

The teacher praised the student.
शिक्षक ने छात्र की प्रशंसा की।
(Whom did the teacher praise? → the student)

3. Direct Object with Pronouns

She called him.

उसने उसे बुलाया।

I saw them yesterday.
मैंने उन्हें कल देखा।

How to Identify the Direct Object

1. Find the verb

2. Ask what/whom after the verb

Example:
He hit the ball.
Verb → hit
Hit what? → the ball (Direct Object)

Example:
She eats rice. → She eats ❌ (incomplete)

Important Notes:

A sentence may have no direct object (intransitive verbs). Only transitive verbs take a direct object.
हर वाक्य में Direct Object नहीं होता। केवल सकर्मक क्रिया (transitive verb) के साथ Direct Object आता है।

Example (No Direct Object):
He sleeps.
वह सोता है।

Direct Object Examples using “WHAT”

1. She writes a letter.
   Ask → She writes what? → a letter
   Explanation:
   “Letter” receives the direct action of writing, so it is the Direct Object.
   वह एक पत्र लिखती है। “लिखती है क्या?” → पत्र (Direct Object)

2. He bought a new phone.
   Ask → He bought what? → a new phone
   Explanation:
   The action bought directly affects phone, so it is the Direct Object.
   उसने नया फोन खरीदा। “खरीदा क्या?” → फोन (Direct Object)

3. They are watching a movie.
   Ask → They are watching what? → a movie
   Explanation:
   Movie directly receives the action watching, so it is a Direct Object.
   वे फिल्म देख रहे हैं। “देख रहे हैं क्या?” → फिल्म (Direct Object)

4. I completed my homework.
   Ask → I completed what? → my homework
   Explanation:
   The action completed is done directly to homework, making it a Direct Object.
   मैंने अपना होमवर्क पूरा किया। “पूरा किया क्या?” → होमवर्क (Direct Object)

5. We need some help.
   Ask → We need what? → some help
   Explanation:
   Help is what is needed directly, so it is the Direct Object.
   हमें मदद चाहिए। “चाहिए क्या?” → मदद (Direct Object)

Direct Object Examples using “WHOM” (सजीव व्यक्ति/जीव — Whom)

1. I met Rohan yesterday.
   Ask → I met whom? → Rohan
   मैं कल रोहन से मिला।
   पूछें → मैं किससे / किसको मिला? → रोहन (Direct Object)

2. She called her brother.
   Ask → She called whom? → her brother
   उसने अपने भाई को फोन किया।
   पूछें → उसने किसको फोन किया? → भाई (Direct Object)

3. The teacher punished the student.
   Ask → The teacher punished whom? → the student
   शिक्षक ने छात्र को दंड दिया।
   पूछें → शिक्षक ने किसको दंड दिया? → छात्र (Direct Object)

4. We invited our relatives.
   Ask → We invited whom? → our relatives
   हमने अपने रिश्तेदारों को बुलाया।
   पूछें → हमने किसको बुलाया? → रिश्तेदार (Direct Object)

5. He helped the old woman.
   Ask → He helped whom? → the old woman
   उसने बूढ़ी महिला की मदद की।
   पूछें → उसने किसकी / किसको मदद की? → बूढ़ी महिला (Direct Object)

Quick Formula to Identify Direct Object

Verb + What / Whom = Direct Object

क्रिया + क्या / किसे = Direct Object

Conclusion

A Direct Object is the noun or pronoun that directly receives the action of the verb. It can be living or non-living and is identified by asking what or whom after the verb.

Direct Object वह संज्ञा या सर्वनाम है जिस पर क्रिया का सीधा प्रभाव पड़ता है। यह सजीव या निर्जीव दोनों हो सकता है और इसे क्या / किसे पूछकर पहचाना जाता है।

2. Indirect Object (IO)

Definition 

An Indirect Object is a noun or pronoun that receives the benefit or result of the action indirectly. Indirect Object (अप्रत्यक्ष कर्म) वह संज्ञा या सर्वनाम होता है जिसे क्रिया का लाभ अप्रत्यक्ष रूप से मिलता है।

Note: It usually tells whom, for whom, or for what something is done. 

Direct Object vs Indirect Object (Quick Idea)

1. Direct Object (DO) → What /क्या 

2. Indirect Object (IO) → To whom  किसे/ For whom /किसके लिए

Examples:

1. She gave me a gift.
   Verb: gave
   What did she give? → a gift (Direct Object)
   To whom did she give it? → me (Indirect Object)

2. He sent her a message.
   Verb: sent
   What did he send? → a message (Direct Object)
   To whom did he send it? → her (Indirect Object)

3. I taught the students English.
   Verb: taught
   What did I teach? → English (Direct Object)
   To whom did I teach it? → the students (Indirect Object)

4. They offered us help.
   Verb: offered
   What did they offer? → help (Direct Object)
   To whom did they offer it? → us (Indirect Object)

5. My father bought me a phone.
   Verb: bought
   What did he buy? → a phone (Direct Object)
   To whom did he buy it? → me (Indirect Object)

One Important Rule (Very Useful for Students)

When two objects come after a verb:

1. Thing = Direct Object

2. Person = Indirect Object

Example:
She bought me a pen.
Person → me (Indirect Object)
Thing → a pen (Direct Object)

Common Mistake

❌ Every object is an indirect object.
✔ Only the object that answers to whom / for whom is an Indirect Object.

Examples of Double Object with Identification

✔ Ask WHAT → Direct Object
✔ Ask WHOM / TO WHOM / FOR WHOM → Indirect Object

Example 1

He gave me a pen.
उसने मुझे एक कलम दी।

1. What did he give? → a pen → Direct Object

2. Whom did he give? → me → Indirect Object

Example 2

She taught us English.
उसने हमें अंग्रेज़ी पढ़ाई।

1. What did she teach? → English → Direct Object

2. Whom did she teach? → us → Indirect Object

Example 3

Father bought me a watch.
पिता ने मुझे एक घड़ी खरीदी।

1. What did father buy? → a watch → Direct Object

2. For whom did he buy? → me → Indirect Object

Example 4

The teacher told the students a story.
शिक्षक ने छात्रों को एक कहानी सुनाई।

1. What did the teacher tell? → a story → Direct Object

2. Whom did he tell? → the students → Indirect Object

What is the Dative Case?

The Dative Case is used to show the indirect object of a verb — the person or thing to whom or for whom something is done. The indirect objective case is called Dative Case 

Dative Case का प्रयोग क्रिया के Indirect Object को दिखाने के लिए किया जाता है — यानी उस व्यक्ति या वस्तु के लिए जिसे कुछ किया जाता है।

3. Possessing the Noun - (Genitive Case)

When a noun shows ownership, possession, relationship, or belonging, it is said to be in the Genitive Case (also called the Possessive Case).

जब कोई संज्ञा स्वामित्व, अधिकार, संबंध या अपनापन दर्शाती है, तब वह सम्बन्ध कारक (Genitive / Possessive Case) में होती है।

In English, possession is mainly shown by:

1.      ’s (apostrophe + s)

2.      ’ (apostrophe only)

3.      of (preposition)

Rules to Use ’s with Nouns- (’s लगाने के नियम)

1. Rule: To show possession with a singular noun, add ’s at the end of the noun.

Examples:

1. Amit’s book – The book belongs to Amit.
   (Amit की किताब)

2. The cat’s tail – The tail of the cat.
   (बिल्ली की पूँछ)

3. Teacher’s pen – The pen of the teacher.
   (अध्यापक की कलम)

4. Rohan’s house – The house owned by Rohan.
   (रोहन का घर)

5. The boy’s bag – The bag of the boy.
   (लड़के का बैग)

✅ Note: Even if the singular noun ends in s (e.g., James), you usually still add ’s → James’s book.

Rule 2: Plural noun not ending in –s → add ’s

When a plural noun does not end in –s, we add ’s to show possession.

Examples:

1. The children’s toys – The toys of the children
   (बच्चों के खिलौने)

2. The men’s room – The room of the men
   (पुरुषों का कमरा)

3. The women’s hostel – The hostel of the women
   (महिलाओं का छात्रावास)

4. The people’s choice – The choice of the people
   (लोगों की पसंद)

5. The mice’s holes – The holes of the mice
   (चूहों के बिल)

Rule 3: Plural Noun ending in –s → add ’ only

When a plural noun already ends in –s, we show possession by adding only an apostrophe (’), not ’s.

Examples:

1. The boys’ bags – The bags of the boys.
   (लड़कों के बैग)

2. The girls’ school – The school of the girls.
   (लड़कियों का स्कूल)

3. The teachers’ room – The room of the teachers.
   (शिक्षकों का कमरा)

4. The players’ uniforms – The uniforms of the players.
   (खिलाड़ियों की वर्दी)

5. The students’ books – The books of the students.
   (छात्रों की किताबें)

Rule 4: Singular Noun ending in –s → add ’s or ’ only

1. The class’s teacher – The teacher of the class.
   (कक्षा का शिक्षक)

2. The boss’s decision – The decision of the boss.
   (बॉस का निर्णय)

3. The glass’s edge – The edge of the glass.
   (गिलास का किनारा)

4. The bus’s door – The door of the bus.
   (बस का दरवाज़ा)

5. The actress’s performance – The performance of the actress.
   (अभिनेत्री का प्रदर्शन)

Rule 5: Joint Possession (’s on the last noun only)

1. Ram and Shyam’s house – The house of Ram and Shyam.
   (राम और श्याम का घर)

2. Amit and Rohit’s shop – The shop of Amit and Rohit.
   (अमित और रोहित की दुकान)

3. The teacher and student’s project – The project of the teacher and the student.
   (शिक्षक और छात्र का प्रोजेक्ट)

4. My father and mother’s car – The car of my father and mother.
   (मेरे पिता और माता की कार)

5. Rita and Sita’s room – The room of Rita and Sita.
   (रीता और सीता का कमरा)

Rule 6: Separate Possession → ’s on each noun

When two or more nouns possess different things separately, we use ’s with each noun.

1. The boy’s bag and the girl’s book – The bag of the boy and the book of the girl.
   (लड़के का बैग और लड़की की किताब)

2. Ravi’s house and Mohan’s shop – The house of Ravi and the shop of Mohan.
   (रवि का घर और मोहन की दुकान)

3. The teacher’s chair and the student’s desk – The chair of the teacher and the desk of the student.
   (शिक्षक की कुर्सी और छात्र की मेज़)

4. My brother’s phone and my sister’s laptop – The phone of my brother and the laptop of my sister.
   (मेरे भाई का फ़ोन और मेरी बहन का लैपटॉप)

5. Ram’s bicycle and Shyam’s scooter – The bicycle of Ram and the scooter of Shyam.
   (राम की साइकिल और श्याम का स्कूटर)

Possession with Lifeless Things - (निर्जीव वस्तुओं के साथ)

Normally, lifeless things do not take ’s. We usually use “of”.
But in some special cases, lifeless things can take ’s.

1. Possession with Time

Rule: When possession shows time (day, night, week, month, year, moment), we can use ’s with lifeless nouns.

1. A day’s work – The work of a day.
   (एक दिन का काम)

2. Two weeks’ holiday – The holiday of two weeks.
   (दो हफ्तों की छुट्टी)

3. Today’s news – The news of today.
   (आज की खबर)

2. Possession with Distance

Rule: When possession expresses distance or length, ’s can be used with lifeless things.

1. A mile’s walk – The walk of a mile.
   (एक मील की पैदल दूरी)

2. Five kilometers’ journey – The journey of five kilometers.
   (पाँच किलोमीटर की यात्रा)

3. Ten meters’ rope – The rope of ten meters.
   (दस मीटर की रस्सी)

3. Possession with Price / Value

Rule: When possession shows price, value, or cost, ’s is used with lifeless nouns.

1. A hundred rupees’ note – The note of a hundred rupees.
   (सौ रुपये का नोट)

2. Ten dollars’ worth – The worth of ten dollars.
   (दस डॉलर की कीमत)

3. A week’s salary – The salary of a week.
   (एक हफ्ते की तनख्वाह)

4. Possession with Countries / Organizations

Rule: Names of countries, cities, institutions, and organizations can take ’s to show possession.

1. India’s economy – The economy of India.
   (भारत की अर्थव्यवस्था)

2. The company’s policy – The policy of the company.
   (कंपनी की नीति)

3. The school’s rules – The rules of the school.
   (स्कूल के नियम)

✅ Key Reminder (Very Important)

1. Living nouns → ’s (The boy’s bag)

2. Lifeless nouns → of (The leg of the table)

3. Exceptions: Time, Distance, Price, Countries/Organizations → ’s is allowed

How to Identify Genitive Case - (Genitive Case कैसे पहचानें)

1. English Method

If a noun answers:

1. Whose?

2. To whom does it belong?

→ It is in the Genitive Case.

2. Hindi Method

अगर संज्ञा प्रश्नों का उत्तर दे:

1. किसका? किसकी? किसके?

→ वह सम्बन्ध कारक (Genitive Case) है।

1. The book of the teacher is on the table.
   English: “of the teacher” shows possession — the book belongs to the teacher.
   Hindi: यहाँ “of the teacher” अधिकार/स्वामित्व बताता है — किताब शिक्षक की है।

2. The color of the sky is blue.
   English: “of the sky” tells us which thing the color belongs to.
   Hindi: यहाँ “of the sky” बताता है कि रंग किसका है — आकाश का रंग।

3. The legs of the chair are broken.
   English: “of the chair” shows a part of something.
   Hindi: यहाँ “of the chair” किसी वस्तु के हिस्से को दर्शाता है — कुर्सी के पाये।

4. The name of the student is written on the board.
   English: “of the student” shows relationship or belonging.
   Hindi: यहाँ “of the student” संबंध/स्वामित्व बताता है — विद्यार्थी का नाम।

5. The door of the room is closed.
   English: “of the room” shows connection between two nouns.
   Hindi: यहाँ “of the room” बताता है कि दरवाज़ा किस कमरे का है।

Rule (Short & Clear):

Of  का प्रयोग तब होता है जब हम स्वामित्व, संबंध, भाग या पहचान बताना चाहते हैं।
Hindi में “of” का अर्थ अक्सर का / के / की होता है।