DATIVES

DATIVES

With basic meanings to, for, in, on, by, or with;
sometimes a stationary context.

PURE DATIVE USES:

A dative functioning with the root idea of personal interest and reference/respect.

DATIVE OF INDIRECT OBJECT – Expresses to or for whom an action of a transitive verb benefits. Expressed with verbs of giving, saying, showing, etc.

Key to Identification: If the dative can be translated by to or for.

He gave the shield to me.

They were speaking the truth to the judge.

She was showing the children the new book.

The ball was given to me.

DATIVE OF INTEREST – Expresses the person who views the action or at whom an action is intended, for the advantage or disadvantage of.

Key to Identification: For the dative of advantage, replace to or for with for the benefit of or in the interest of. For the dative of disadvantage, replace to or for with against, for/unto the detriment of, or to the disadvantage of.

Aeolus gave gifts to him in friendship.

Vitamins are for health.

You spoke against yourself.

a sign of destruction to them

DATIVE OF REFERENCE/RESPECT – Expresses the person to whom a statement is presented as true, with reference to. It depends on the general meaning of the sentence rather than any specific word.

Key to Identification: Replace to or for with concerning, with reference to, or regard to.

They built this house for me.

Blessed are the pure in heart.

The children grew in wisdom and knowledge.

ETHICAL DATIVE – Expresses special interest or feelings.

Key to Identification: Replace to or for and the paraphrase the personal noun with as far as (noun/pronoun) am concerned, as (noun/pronoun) look at it, or in (noun/pronoun) opinion.

The story for us was very sad. (The story as far as we are concerned was sad.)

For to me to live is better than to die. (As I look at it, to live is better than to die.)

She is beautiful to the beholder. (She is beautiful in the beholder’s opinion.)

DATIVE OF POSSESSION – Expresses ownership or possession by the noun in the dative and often used with the verb “to be” or “to know” (third person). The thing possessed is in the nominative while the possessor is in the dative.

Key to Identification: Replace to or for with belonging to or possessed by.

There is a cover to the box. The box has a cover. (Cover is to the box.) Note: Cover is in the nominative, the thing possessed. Box is the dative, the possessor.

The name for him was John. His name was John. (The name was John for him.) Note: Name is in the nominative, the thing possessed. Him/his is the dative, the possessor.

LOCAL DATIVE USES:
A dative functioning with the root idea of position (spatial, nonphysical, or temporal)

DATIVE OF PLACE – Expresses a place where someone or something is; where. Usually used with the preposition εν.

Key to Identification: Replace to or for with or in the sphere of. Where?

He grieved in his heart.

I swam in water.

Caesar fought at sea.

DATIVE OF TIME – Denotes a time when an action takes place.

Key to Identification: Replace to or for with at the time of. When?

They came on the fifth day.

At night the stars are shining.

Herod on his birthday prepared a feast.

INSTRUMENTAL DATIVE USES:
A dative functioning with the root idea of means.

DATIVE OF AGENCY – Indicates the person or agent by whom the action of a passive verb has been, had been, or must be performed. The dative is personal, exercises will, involves a perfect passive verb, which can become the subject of an active verb.

Key to Identification: Replace to or for with by or through.

This was not done by us. (We did not do this.)

The lion was tamed by the lion tamer. (The lion tamer tamed the lion.)

The money was obtained through the treasurer. (The treasurer obtained the money.)

DATIVE OF ASSOCIATION – Expresses the person or thing which one associates or accompanies; in association with.

Key to Identification: Replace the pronoun with in association with.

Let us fight along with him.

We have communicated with each other.

DATIVE OF CAUSE – Expresses the cause or reason of the action; because of. Often used with verbs of emotion.

Key to Identification: Replace the pronoun with because of.

The ride is dangerous because of its speed.

He did this out of insolence.

He was bothered at the present occurrences.

DATIVE OF MANNER/ACCOMPANIMENT – Expresses the point of view of a statement made or the manner of the action of the verb; how? It can describe action, attitude, emotion, or circumstance.

Key to Identification: Ask what manner or way.

They came with a loud shout.

The king entered in a haughty way.

Her heart ached with grief.

Having died by a disease, she was speedily buried.

DATIVE OF MEANS/INSTRUMENT – Expresses the means in which the action is done; by, by means of, with.
Key to Identification: Before the dative noun, insert by means of or with.

He won her heart by his noble deeds.

He was able to explore the country by means of a canoe.

The soldier killed him with a sword.

DATIVE OF MEASURE/DEGREE OF DIFFERENCE – Indicating comparison and used generally with a comparative adjective or adverb. Rather than using “than”, as in the genitive, use by.

Key to Identification: Before the dative noun, insert by.

He is a head shorter. (shorter by a head)

He arrived a few days later. (later by a few days)

She was younger by six years.

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