Nominative Case – Declension of Pronouns in German Grammar
Introduction
The nominative is the basic form of the pronoun. The subject of a sentence is in the nominative. To find the subject, we can ask Wer/Was – who/what is performing this action?
Example
Der Junge hat eine Freundin. Er ist total verliebt.
Sein Herz gehört ihr und ihres gehört ihm.
Usage
Here are some things to keep in mind when using German pronouns in the nominative case:
- Personal pronouns replace an already known or previously-mentioned noun.
- Example:
- Der Junge hat eine Freundin. Er ist total verliebt.The boy has a girlfriend. He is totally in love.
- Dependent possessive pronouns can accompany a noun, whilst independent possessive pronouns replace a noun.
- Example:
- Sein Herz gehört ihrHis heart belongs to her … (possessive adjective)
- … und ihres gehört ihm.and hers belongs to him. (possessive pronoun – instead of ihr Herz)
German Pronouns in Nominative Case
Use the tables below to help you learn personal pronouns as well as dependent and independent possessive pronouns in the accusative case.
Table of Personal Pronouns and Dependent Possessive Pronouns
The table provides and overview of personal and dependent possessive pronouns in the nominative case.
| personal pronouns | dependent possessive pronouns | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| masc. + neuter | fem. + plural | ||
| 1st person singular | ich | mein | meine |
| 2nd person singular | du | dein | deine |
| 3rd person singular (m) | er | sein | seine |
| 3rd person singular (f) | sie | ihr | ihre |
| 3rd person singular (n) | es | sein | seine |
| 1st person plural | wir | unser | unsere |
| 2nd person plural | ihr | euer | eure |
| 3rd person plural | sie | ihr | ihre |
Table of Independent Possessive Pronouns
The table provides an overview of masculine, neuter, feminine and plural independent possessive pronouns in the nominative case.
| independent possessive pronouns | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| masculine | neuter | fem. + plural | |
| 1st person singular | meiner | meins | meine |
| 2nd person singular | deiner | deins | deine |
| 3rd person singular (m) | seiner | seins | seine |
| 3rd person singular (f) | ihrer | ihr(e)s | ihre |
| 3rd person singular (n) | seiner | seins | seine |
| 1st person plural | uns(e)rer | unseres | unsere |
| 2nd person plural | eu(e)rer | eures | eure |
| 3rd person plural | ihrer | ihr(e)s | ihre |
To note
Even though we can ask for possessive pronouns with the question “Whose?”, we shouldn’t automatically think that it’s going to be in the genitive. When questioning the case, we always have to pay attention to the noun too:
- Example:
- Wer/Was gehört ihr? – sein HerzWho/What belongs to her? – his heart (nominative)