Verbs with Nominative Case in German. 50 useful German Verbs that take Nominative Case

Verbs with Nominative Case in German

Grammar can be a daunting topic to tackle, but it’s essential for anyone looking to learn a new language. One critical aspect of German grammar is understanding the use of verbs with the nominative case. In this article, we’ll explore what the nominative case is, what verbs take it, and why it’s important to know.

The basics of the Nominative case
To start, let’s define the nominative case. In German grammar, this is the case used for the subject of a sentence. In other words, it’s the person or thing that is doing the action described by the verb. For example, in the sentence “Ich gehe zur Schule,” (I go to school), “Ich” is the subject in the nominative case.

Verbs that take the nominative case
Now that we have a basic understanding of the nominative case, we can focus on the verbs that take it. In German, most verbs that take the nominative case are transitive verbs. These are verbs that require a direct object to make sense. For example, in the sentence “Ich esse eine Pizza,” (I am eating a pizza), “esse” is a transitive verb that requires a direct object, in this case, “eine Pizza”.

Some examples of verbs that take the nominative case include:

• Sein (to be): For example, “Ich bin müde,” (I am tired).
• Werden (to become): For example, “Er wird Lehrer,” (He is becoming a teacher).
• Bleiben (to remain): For example, “Sie bleibt hier,” (She is remaining here).
• Heißen (to be called): For example, “Das Buch heißt Harry Potter,” (The book is called Harry Potter).
• Haben (to have): For example, “Ich habe einen Hund,” (I have a dog).
• Werben (to solicit): For example, “Sie wirbt um Kunden,” (She is soliciting customers).

List of 50 German Verbs that take Nominative Case

1. arbeiten (to work)
2. spielen (to play)
3. lesen (to read)
4. schwimmen (to swim)
5. lachen (to laugh)
6. sitzen (to sit)
7. essen (to eat)
8. trinken (to drink)
9. rennen (to run)
10. schlafen (to sleep)
11. reisen (to travel)
12. studieren (to study)
13. telefonieren (to call)
14. spazieren (to walk)
15. schreiben (to write)
16. machen (to do)
17. reden (to talk)
18. hören (to listen)
19. antworten (to answer)
20. fragen (to ask)
21. besuchen (to visit)
22. treffen (to meet)
23. helfen (to help)
24. suchen (to search)
25. finden (to find)
26. kaufen (to buy)
27. verkaufen (to sell)
28. benutzen (to use)
29. öffnen (to open)
30. schließen (to close)
31. sehen (to see)
32. zeigen (to show)
33. sagen (to say/tell)
34. denken (to think)
35. wissen (to know)
36. glauben (to believe)
37. fühlen (to feel)
38. mögen (to like)
39. lieben (to love)
40. hassen (to hate)
41. beobachten (to observe)
42. beantworten (to answer/respond to)
43. beschreiben (to describe)
44. empfehlen (to recommend)
45. erzählen (to tell/narrate)
46. fotografieren (to photograph)
47. kontrollieren (to check/monitor)
48. überlegen (to consider)
49. verstehen (to understand)
50. begrüßen (to welcome)

Why it’s important to know
Knowing which verbs take the nominative case is essential for accurate communication in German. If you use the wrong case with a verb, it can change the meaning of the sentence entirely or make it unclear. Additionally, using the wrong case can make it obvious that you are not a native German speaker, which can sometimes make communication more difficult.

Furthermore, understanding the nominative case can help with sentence structure. In complex sentences, it can be challenging to determine which element is the subject. For example, in the sentence, “Der Mann, der das Buch liest, ist mein Bruder,” (The man who is reading the book is my brother), it can be challenging to determine that “Der Mann” is the subject. However, if you understand the role of the nominative case, it’s clear that “Der Mann” is the subject and therefore in the nominative case.

Additionally, understanding the nominative case is a fundamental building block for learning the other cases in German. Each case has its own unique role in a sentence, and once you understand one, it’s easier to apply that knowledge to the others.

Tips for using the Nominative case correctly
Now that we’ve explored what the nominative case is and why it’s essential, let’s look at some tips for using it correctly.

1. Identify the subject: To use the nominative case correctly, you must first identify the subject of the sentence. Depending on the sentence structure, this may not always be obvious, so it’s essential to pay careful attention to word order and grammar rules.
2. Think about gender: German nouns have gender, and the gender of the subject can affect the article and adjective that describe it. For example, “Der Mann” (the man) is masculine and takes masculine articles and adjectives.
3. Use the correct form of the verb: Verbs in German change depending on the subject and therefore the case. For example, “Ich trinke” (I drink) is in the nominative case, but “Er trinkt” (he drinks) is in the third-person singular and takes a different form of the verb.
4. Practice, practice, practice: Like any aspect of language learning, using the nominative case correctly takes practice. Try using it in simple sentences and gradually work up to more complex structures.

Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the use of verbs with the nominative case in German is essential for accurate communication and proper sentence structure. Most verbs that take the nominative case are transitive verbs, and understanding which ones take it is crucial. Using the correct case can make a big difference in how your message is received and understood. With practice, anyone can become proficient in the correct use of the nominative case and take their German language skills to the next level.

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