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GRAMMAR EXERCISES
/ VOCATIVE CASE 1
The vocative case in English 1
level: Intermediate (B1/B2)
Choose whether each of the following sentences uses (or doesn't use) the vocative form.
Example: Bill, you're really handsome! (Vocative)
Choose whether each sentence uses the vocative case correctly or incorrectly.
1.
So,
James
, did you visit your brother in Fort Lauderdale?
Not vocative
Vocative
Correct answer:
Vocative
— the name is used to directly address James — that is the vocative case.
2.
He asked me if
James
had finished his online course.
Not vocative
Vocative
Correct answer:
Not vocative
— James is the subject of an indirect question — not a direct address.
3.
My friends
, I am very happy that you all came.
Not vocative
Vocative
Correct answer:
Vocative
—
my friends
directly addresses the audience — classic vocative.
4.
I'll see you next week,
Mary
.
Not vocative
Vocative
Correct answer:
Vocative
— Mary is addressed directly at the end of the sentence — vocative.
5.
I'll see
Mary
next week.
Not vocative
Vocative
Correct answer:
Not vocative
— Mary is the object of
see
, not a direct address.
6.
I don't understand you,
you silly boy
.
Not vocative
Vocative
Correct answer:
Vocative
—
you silly boy
directly addresses the person being spoken to.
7.
John
, stop crying!
Vocative
Non vocative
Correct answer:
Vocative
— John is addressed directly with an imperative — vocative.
8.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is
my daughter
.
Not vocative
Vocative
Correct answer:
Not vocative
—
my daughter
is introduced to the audience, not addressed.
9.
You got your degree? I'm so proud of
you
!
Vocative
Not vocative
Correct answer:
Not vocative
—
you
here is the object of
proud of
, not a direct address.
10.
I didn't do anything wrong,
officer
.
Not vocative
Vocative
Correct answer:
Vocative
—
officer
directly addresses the person — classic vocative at the end of a clause.
—
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KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
More writing mechanics exercises:
English Prefixes and Suffixes 1 | Advanced
Antonyms Exercise 1
(A1/A2)
Change or Exchange? Exercise 1
(B2)
Complete Sentence or Comma Splice? 2
(C1-C2)
Dangling Modifiers 2
(C1-C2)
Avoiding Double Negatives - Exercise 2
(B1/B2)
Related word order exercises:
English Word Order Exercise 1
(A1/A2)
Word Order Exercise 2
(B1/B2)
Conjunctions 2
(B1-C1)
Conjunctions 1
(B1/B2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
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