DATIVES!

According to Allen and Greenough all types of datives can be categorized into two groups. There are datives that are indirect objects and there are special or idiomatic datives.

Indirect Object Anytime an object is given to someone or information is transmitted to someone, the recipient of that is the indirect object. Kylia Danae dona misit. –Kylie sent gifts to Dan. Dixerat aliis discipulis Falco. –Falcone had spoken to the other students.

Indirect Object with Special Verbs Verbs that show favor, help, please, trust, believe, persuade, command, obey, serve, resist, envy, threaten, pardon, spare (and their contraries where applicable) take the dative. Really this is still an indirect object even if it is not apparent in the English translation. Non credo tibi. –I don’t believe you. (I don’t give trust to you.)

Indirect Object with Compounds Compound verbs also often take datives, but not always. The rule is that if the meaning of the verb is changed to be conducive to an indirect object, verb will take a dative. If the meaning of the verb isn’t significantly changed, it should still behave as it did before. Homines obsequuntur ventris. –Men obey their stomachs. (Men yield to their stomachs.)

Dative of Possession The dative of possession is always used with some form of sum. It shows for whom something is. Canis mihi est. –There is a dog for me. (I have a dog.) …senator, cui nomen est Messala… – …a senator, for whom the name is Messala…

Dative of Agent The dative of agent is only used with the passive periphrastic. It is actually a dative of possession that shows possession over the verbal idea. Liber Caesaris mihi legendus est. -Caesar’s book must be read by me. -There is a book of Caesar for me to be read. -I must read Caesar’s book.

Dative of Benefit/Advantage/Reference This dative is as simple as its name suggests. It shows who is advantaged or disadvantaged or to whose prejudice the action is performed. Cogita tibi. –Think for yourself. Omnibus cecinerunt. –They sang for everyone. Non licet Gaboni dormire. –It is not allowed for Gabe to sleep. (Gabe is not allowed to sleep.) NOTE: This can also be described as showing perspective or point of view, and is sometimes modified and called the ethical dative.

Dative of Separation This works much like the ablative of separation. It can only be used with verbs that already denote separation (typically verbs that start with ab, ex or de). It is still closely related to the idea of disadvantage. Nihil tibi detraxit senatus. –For you the senate has taken away nothing. (The senate has taken nothing from you.)

Dative of Purpose or End (The Double Dative) The strangest of all dative names, it is sometimes known as the double dative, because the dative of purpose is always used with a dative of thing affected/(dis)advantage. Tertiam aciem nostris subsidio misit. –He sent the third line as relief (for relieving) to our men. Suis saluti fuit. –He was salvation (for the salvation) for his men.

Dative with Special Adjectives Adjectives of fitness, nearness, likeness, service, inclination, and their opposites take datives. The dative with such adjectives is probably derived from the dative of purpose. Aptus discendo –fitted to learning Similis dis –like the gods Amicus Danae –friendly to Dan