The Nominative Case
The nominative case has few functions, and since there are few
complications in its usage, it is very easy to understand.
- Subject. The subject of any sentence or clause will be in
the nominative case.
- Complement. The complement (the word on the other side
of a linking verb or copula, usually "to be") is always in
the nominative. In the sentence Seo sunne is swiðe brad
"The sun is very broad," both sunne (the subject)
and brad (the complement) are in the nominative.
- Address. When the speaker addresses someone directly, the
name or title by which he calls the person he is speaking to is in
the nominative. In the sentence, Geseoh þu, cyning, hwelc
þeos lar sie "See, king, what kind of teaching this
is," cyning "king" is nominative.