Uses of the Dative

1. Uses of the Dative George M. Kaupp Cardinal Newman School Latin III

2. Dative of Indirect Object Used to tell to whom something is told, shown, or given Used with verbs of giving, showing, or telling Dative is most often a noun of person Examples: Agricola fabulasliberīsnarravit. The farmer told stories to his children. Picturamamicomonstravi. I showed the picture to my friend. Dives cibumpauperibusdedit. The rich man gave food to the poor people.

3. Dative with adjectives • Often used to complete the meaning of certain adjectives • Six categories of adjectives: • Friendliness: amicus, inimicus • GalliinimiciRomaniserant. The Gauls were unfriendlyto the Romans. • Nearness/proximity: proximus, propinquus • Templumproximumfluminiconstituerunt. They set up the temple next to the river. • Likeness: similis, dissimilis • LegesRomanaeerantdissimileslegibusGermanicis. Roman laws were dissimilar to Germanic laws. • Fitness/appropriateness: aptus, idoneus • Exploratores locum idoneumcastrisinvenerunt. The scouts came upon a location suitablefor a camp. • Usefulness: utilis • Aqua purautilisbibendo est. Clean water is usefulfor drinking. • Thankfulness/pleasingness: gratus • Legesduraegrataeplebibus non erant. The harsh laws were not pleasingto the common people.

4. Dative with Compound verb • Often used as the object of a ‘compound verb’—a verb that has a preposition attached to its front • Prepositions involved include ad, ante, circum, cum (com), in, inter, ob, post, prae, pro, sub, super • Examples: • Caesar legatumexercituipraefecit. Caesar placed the envoy in charge of the army. • Proditorpudoripecuniamanteponit. The traitor placed money beforehonor.

5. Dative of Direct Object • Used as the direct object of many intransitive Latin verbs that translate into English as transitive • These verbs (in Latin) often have meanings that include the word to • Verb examples: credo (to believe, to give trust to); noceo (to harm, to do harm to); faveo (to favor, to give favor to); etc. • Examples: • Pater puero non credidit. The father did not believe his son. • Virummalumvirisnocuit. The bad virus harmed the men.

6. Dative of Purpose • Tells why something is done • Often used with the verb esse • Dative is most often a thing • Examples: • Caesar praesidiolegionesrelinquit. Caesar left behind legions as a guard (for the purpose of being a guard). • Hostesreceptui tubas cecinerunt. The enemy sounded the trumpets for a retreat.

7. Dative of Reference • Tells for whom something refers or is true • Often used with the verb esse • Dative is most often a person • Examples: • Illaeritmihi semper dea. She will always be a goddess to me. • Tuasororestcuratibi. Your sister is a concern to you.

8. Double Dative Construction • Occurs when the datives of purpose and referenceare used in the same sentence • Example: • Imperator auxilioplebibuscibummisit. The commander sent food as an aid to the plebs.

9. Dative of Possession • Tells to whom or to what something belongs • Used with the verb esse • Example: • Hic liber mihi est. This book is to me. (This book is mine./This is my book.) • Mihinomenest Marcus. My name is Marcus.

10. Dative of Agency • Used with gerundive and esse (passive periphrastic) construction to show who did/needs to do something • Example: • AuxiliumCaesarimittendum est. • Help must be sent by Caesar. (Caesar must send help.)

11. Dative of Direction • Used mostly in poetry • Indicates direction of motion • Example: • Clamoreshominumcaeliseunt. • The shouts of the men go to the heavens.