what is the central function of the dative case?
that of the INDIRECT object
what does the indirect object refer to?
someone/ something that is AFFECTED by the action of the transitive verb (typically as a recipient, often with “to” in English), but is NOT the primary (direct) object
examples: Dominus donum servo dat.
The master gives a gift (direct object) to the servant.
examples: Epistulam puellae do
I give a letter (direct object) to a girl (indirect object)
What are the M sing and pl endings in the dative case?
M sing: - o
M pl: - is
servo, servis
What are the F singular and plural endings in the dative case?
F sing: -ae
F pl: -is
Feminae, Feminis
What are the neuter singular and plural endings in the dative case?
N singular: -o
N plural: -is
Bello, Bellis
what is the dative case chiefly used to indicate?
the person for WHOM an action happens
in a sense, all datives are EITHER:
- datives of reference
- datives of advantage/ disadvantage
What does the dative case usually answer?
as it’s used to show the indirect object of the verb:
usually answering “TO whom?” or “FOR whom”? something is given, told, shown, or done
handy tip: if a word does NOT have a preposition and could be EITHER dative or ablative, it’s…
dative: if a person
ablative: if it’s a thing
how to recognise the dative?
1) if the verb implies giving, telling, showing, or doing something for someone, look for the dative
2) if a noun answers “to whom?” or “for whom?”, it’s probably dative
