Syntax: The Case Filter 2.1

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Since English is not considered a morphologically rich language, case is usually covertly marked, except in the case of pronouns and possession. Each noun phrase in a sentence must be marked for case in order to show its grammatical function. If no case or the incorrect case is assigned to an NP, the sentence will be ungrammatical. Ex: *Her bought a pink dress. Here 'her' is marked with accusative case rather than nominal case, thus the sentence is ungrammatical. Nominative case is assigned to a sentence’s subject by a finite ‘I’ head. Accusative case is assigned to a direct object by a ‘V’ head as well as the object of a preposition by ‘P’ head. Genitive case indicates possession and is assigned by the ‘N’ head. This exercise will help you identify the three types of case assignment in English: nominative, accusative, and genitive. NPs are marked with these cases (and others, for a later discussion) mainly due to where they are located on a syntactic tree. This is referred to as structural case.

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Question 1

In the following sentence, identify the case of the bolded NP. The new neighbors have five dogs and three cats.

A	nominative
B	genitive Hint: ‘The new neighbors' is marked with nominative case by finite ‘I’ head since the NP sits in Spec IP.
C	accusative Hint: ‘The new neighbors' is marked with nominative case by finite ‘I’ head since the NP sits in Spec IP.

Question 2

In the following sentence, identify the case of the bolded NP.

Our friends gave opera tickets to us for opening night.

A	accusative
B	nominative Hint: ‘Us’ is marked with accusative case due to the fact that it is of the preposition 'to'. P head marks its complements with accusative case.
C	genitive Hint: ‘Us’ is marked with accusative case due to the fact that it is of the preposition 'to'. P head marks its complements with accusative case.

Question 3

In the following sentence, identify the case of the bolded NP. There is a great new exhibit at the art museum.

A	genitive Hint: ‘The art museum’ receives accusative case due to its position as the object of the preposition. P head marks its complements with accusative case.
B	nominative Hint: ‘The art museum’ receives accusative case due to its position as the object of the preposition. P head marks its complements with accusative case.
C	accusative

Question 4

In the following sentence, identify the case of the bolded NP. The students claimed that the teacher’s handwriting was illegible.

A	genitive
B	nominative Hint: ‘Teacher's’ receives genitive case from the head 'N' showing possession.
C	accusative Hint: ‘Teacher's’ receives genitive case from the head 'N' showing possession.

Question 5

In the following sentence, identify the case of the bolded NP.

My mother reads biographies of past presidents.

A	genitive Hint: ‘Biographies’ receives accusative case due to the fact that it is found in the complement sister NP position (as the direct object) of the V. V head marks its complements with accusative case.
B	accusative
C	nominative Hint: ‘Biographies’ receives accusative case due to the fact that it is found in the complement sister NP position (as the direct object) of the V. V head marks its complements with accusative case.

Question 6

In the following sentence, identify the case of the bolded NP.

She wants to buy the dog in the window for her daughter.

A	genitive Hint: ‘The window’ is marked with accusative case due to its position as the object of the preposition. P head marks its complements with accusative case.
B	nominative Hint: ‘The window’ is marked with accusative case due to its position as the object of the preposition. P head marks its complements with accusative case.
C	accusative

Question 7

In the following sentence, identify the case of the bolded NP.

The professor wrote the IPA symbols on the white board.

A	accusative
B	nominative Hint: ‘The IPA symbols’ is marked with accusative case by ‘V’ head (wrote) as the direct object of the verb. V head marks its complements with accusative case.
C	genitive Hint: ‘The IPA symbols’ is marked with accusative case by ‘V’ head (wrote) as the direct object of the verb. V head marks its complements with accusative case.

Question 8

In the following sentence, identify the case of the bolded NP. Lois and Harriet decided that they would travel to New Orleans that summer.

A	nominative
B	genitive Hint: ‘They’ is assigned nominative case by finite ‘I’ head since the NP sits in Spec IP of the embedded clause.
C	accusative Hint: ‘They’ is assigned nominative case by finite ‘I’ head since the NP sits in Spec IP of the embedded clause.

Question 9

In the following sentence, identify the case of the bolded NP. Ellen always serves wine and cheese to her guests.

A	nominative Hint: ‘Her guests’ receives accusative case due to its position as the object of the preposition. P head marks its complements with accusative case.
B	genitive Hint: ‘Her guests’ receives accusative case due to its position as the object of the preposition. P head marks its complements with accusative case.
C	accusative

Question 10

In the following sentence, identify the case of the bolded NP.

Superman will buy Lois Albanian eggs at the food stand.

A	accusative Hint: ‘Superman’ receives nominative case due to the fact that it is found in Spec IP, of a finite verb, where nom. case is assigned.
B	genitive Hint: ‘Superman’ receives nominative case due to the fact that it is found in Spec IP, of a finite verb, where nom. case is assigned.
C	nominative

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Syntax: The Case Filter 2.1

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