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Dative Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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dative

[ˈdeɪtɪv ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

grammatical term

The dative case is a grammatical term that refers to the form of a noun or pronoun used to indicate the indirect object of a verb. It is primarily used in languages that have a case system, such as Latin, German, and Russian. In English, the dative is typically marked by the use of prepositions such as 'to' or 'for.' The dative case helps to clarify to whom or for whom an action is performed in a sentence.

Synonyms

indirect object.

Examples of usage

  • I gave the book to her.
  • He bought a gift for his friend.
  • She told a story to the children.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'dative'

The term 'dative' originates from the Latin word 'dativus,' which means 'that which is given.' The Latin language employed various cases to denote the grammatical function of words in a sentence, including the nominative, accusative, genitive, and dative cases. The dative case specifically identified the recipient of an action or the entity affected by it. As languages evolved, particularly in the transition from Latin to the modern Romance languages, the dative case was retained in various forms and structures. While English has minimal case distinctions, the notion of the dative persists in its syntactic constructions, primarily through the use of prepositions to indicate indirect objects. This grammatical feature is often taught in the context of language acquisition, highlighting its significance in understanding sentence structure and meaning.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,577, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.