By the end of this lesson, I can…
- The subject is always Nominativ
- Articles must match the noun
- The verb matches the subject
- Usage, exceptions and scope
Simple explanation
Nominativ is the German case used for the subject of a sentence. It shows who or what performs an action or is described. In this lesson, you will learn how to identify the subject and choose the correct articles der, die, das, ein, and eine.
The subject is always Nominativ
Nominative marks the grammatical subject, which need not be an active agent: Der Mann ist krank. Wer/Was…? helps identify the subject. It can follow the verb: Heute kommt der Lehrer. The finite verb agrees with its person and number: Das Kind spielt / Die Kinder spielen. A noun complement after sein is also normally nominative: Er ist ein Lehrer; it is not an accusative object.
Articles must match the noun
The article must agree with the gender and number of the noun. Learn nouns together with their articles.
The verb matches the subject
The verb form changes according to the person and number of the Nominativ subject.
Usage, exceptions and scope
Nominative marks the grammatical subject, which need not be an active agent: Der Mann ist krank. Wer/Was…? helps identify the subject. It can follow the verb: Heute kommt der Lehrer. The finite verb agrees with its person and number: Das Kind spielt / Die Kinder spielen. A noun complement after sein is also normally nominative: Er ist ein Lehrer; it is not an accusative object.
Patterns at a glance
These are construction models; translated examples follow below. Practice and test use separate question contexts.
| Rule | Model sentence |
|---|---|
| The subject is always Nominativ | Der Mann liest ein Buch. |
| The subject is always Nominativ | Die Frau arbeitet. |
| The subject is always Nominativ | Das Kind spielt. |
| Articles must match the noun | Ein Mann wartet hier. |
| The verb matches the subject | Der Mann ist krank. |
| The verb matches the subject | Die Kinder sind hier. |
Grammar formula
Basic sentence structure
Nominativ (Subjekt) + Verb + ErgänzungDer Junge spielt Fußball.
Finding the subject
Wer? / Was? + VerbWer spielt? → Der Junge.
Core rules
- 1
The subject is always Nominativ
Nominative marks the grammatical subject, which need not be an active agent: Der Mann ist krank. Wer/Was…? helps identify the subject. It can follow the verb: Heute kommt der Lehrer. The finite verb agrees with its person and number: Das Kind spielt / Die Kinder spielen. A noun complement after sein is also normally nominative: Er ist ein Lehrer; it is not an accusative object.
- 2
Articles must match the noun
The article must agree with the gender and number of the noun. Learn nouns together with their articles.
- 3
The verb matches the subject
The verb form changes according to the person and number of the Nominativ subject.
- 4
Usage, exceptions and scope
Nominative marks the grammatical subject, which need not be an active agent: Der Mann ist krank. Wer/Was…? helps identify the subject. It can follow the verb: Heute kommt der Lehrer. The finite verb agrees with its person and number: Das Kind spielt / Die Kinder spielen. A noun complement after sein is also normally nominative: Er ist ein Lehrer; it is not an accusative object.
Useful examples
Der Mann arbeitet heute.
The man works today.
Der Mann is the subject because he performs the action.
Die Frau liest ein Buch.
The woman reads a book.
Die Frau is the person doing the action, so it is Nominativ.
Das Kind spielt im Garten.
The child plays in the garden.
Kind is a neuter noun and uses das in Nominativ.
Ein Hund läuft schnell.
A dog runs quickly.
Ein is used with masculine nouns in Nominativ.
Eine Lehrerin erklärt die Grammatik.
A female teacher explains the grammar.
Eine is the Nominativ article for feminine nouns.
Die Kinder lernen Deutsch.
The children learn German.
Plural nouns use die in Nominativ.
Mein Bruder wohnt in Berlin.
My brother lives in Berlin.
Mein Bruder is the person performing the action.
Der Computer funktioniert nicht.
The computer does not work.
Things can also be subjects in Nominativ.
Das Auto ist neu.
The car is new.
In sentences with sein, the subject is still nominative.
Die Studenten sind müde.
The students are tired.
Die Studenten is a plural subject in Nominativ.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Den Mann liest ein Buch. ✅ Der Mann liest ein Buch.
- ❌ Der Frau arbeitet. ✅ Die Frau arbeitet.
- ❌ Der Kind spielt. ✅ Das Kind spielt.
- ❌ Einen Mann wartet hier. ✅ Ein Mann wartet hier.
- ❌ Der Mann sind krank. ✅ Der Mann ist krank.
- ❌ Die Kinder ist hier. ✅ Die Kinder sind hier.
Learning tips
- Read the context and word roles before choosing an option.
- After feedback, read the reason and make a new sentence.
- After practising, take the test without the table; test mastery is recorded separately from reading.
Use it in your own sentences
Adapt the names, times or places in the models to write six sentences about your own life. Keep the target construction and check that the meaning fits the rule. This is a self-assessment activity; the multiple-choice test has a separate score.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 1.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 2.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 3.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 4.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 5.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 6.
Show the model
Der Mann liest ein Buch. Die Frau arbeitet. Das Kind spielt. Ein Mann wartet hier. Der Mann ist krank. Die Kinder sind hier.
Check your own work
- I identified the subject, verb and target construction in every sentence.
- I adapted the context instead of only copying the model.
- I checked my choices against this lesson’s rules and exceptions.
Put it into practice
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Related grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What should I check for “The subject is always Nominativ”?
Nominative marks the grammatical subject, which need not be an active agent: Der Mann ist krank. Wer/Was…? helps identify the subject. It can follow the verb: Heute kommt der Lehrer. The finite verb agrees with its person and number: Das Kind spielt / Die Kinder spielen. A noun complement after sein is also normally nominative: Er ist ein Lehrer; it is not an accusative object.
What should I check for “Articles must match the noun”?
The article must agree with the gender and number of the noun. Learn nouns together with their articles.
What should I check for “The verb matches the subject”?
The verb form changes according to the person and number of the Nominativ subject.
What should I check for “Usage, exceptions and scope”?
Nominative marks the grammatical subject, which need not be an active agent: Der Mann ist krank. Wer/Was…? helps identify the subject. It can follow the verb: Heute kommt der Lehrer. The finite verb agrees with its person and number: Das Kind spielt / Die Kinder spielen. A noun complement after sein is also normally nominative: Er ist ein Lehrer; it is not an accusative object.
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