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Step One:
Observe the sentence to see if a preposition appears before the accusative noun. If so, the
noun is simply the object of a preposition that demands accusative after it. Go to the lexicon and study the meaning
of the preposition. You do not need to worry about the uses described under Step Two.
Step Two:
1. Accusative of Direct Object
This is by far the most common usage
of the accusative case.
Example: I speak truth
(John 8:46).
2. Adverbial Accusatives
Sometimes an accusative
is not really a direct object. Instead it tells something about the action of the verbg. In such cases, it is
called an adverbial accusative.
a. Of Measure
The accusative noun tells the extent of time or distance: how long or how much.
Example (time): They remained that day (John 1:39) -- It tells how long they stayed.
Example (distance): When they had rowed about 25 or 30 furlongs (John 6:19) -- It tells how far they rowed.
b. Of reference
This
just shows a general connection between the verb and the accusative noun.
Example: who labored [with reference to] many things for you. (Romans 16:6).
3. Cognate Accusative
In this use, the accusative noun following the verb is actually a noun form of
the verb. Both words are from the same word family. The effect is to emphasize that verbal idea.
Example: I have fought the good fight (2 Timothy 4:7).
4. Double Accusative
Some verbs require two objects, both in the accusative case, to complete their meaning.
Example: He will teach (1) you (2) all things (John 14:26).
Example: I no longer call (1) you (2) servants (John 15:15.
5. Accusative as the Subject of
an Infinitive
If an infinitive has its own subject - one that differs from
the subject of the sentence - that subject is always in the accusative. Such phrases must often be paraphrased to bring
the idea into English.
Example: Because
he knows all things (John 2:24) - Lit, because of him knowing all things.
Example: If I want him to remain (John 21:22) - Note that "him" is both the direct object of "want"
and the subject of "to remain."
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