Nefnifalli

Nefnifalli, in Icelandic grammar commonly referred to as the nominative case, is the grammatical case used for the subject of a sentence and for predicate nouns in certain constructions. It marks the noun that performs the action or is described by the verb, and it often coincides with the noun’s basic, dictionary form.

In modern Icelandic, nefnifalli is one of four grammatical cases, alongside þolfall (accusative), eignarfall (genitive), and þágufall (dative). The form of a noun, pronoun, or adjective in nefnifalli changes according to gender and number, and adjectives agree with the case and number of the noun they modify. Pronouns have distinct nefnifall forms (for example, ég, þú, hann, hún, við, þið, þeir/þær/ þau in the nominative).

Typical uses of nefnifalli include: the subject of a finite verb (e.g., The cat sleeps), and predicate nouns in sentences with the copular verb vera (to be) where the predicate noun appears in nefnifalli (e.g., The cat is a hunter). Nouns in nefnifalli can also appear in apposition or in exclamatory or vocative-like positions in some syntactic structures.

Historical notes indicate that Icelandic inherited a case system from Old Norse, though contemporary usage relies more on word order and agreement. The nominative remains central for identifying who or what the sentence is about, while other cases mark objects, possession, and indirect relationships.

See also: Icelandic grammar, case system, nefnifall (nominative case), þolfall (accusative), eignarfall (genitive), þágufall (dative).