dative Definition
- 1the grammatical category used for a noun or pronoun that is an indirect object of a verb or a preposition
- 2a case in some languages, such as Latin and German, used for nouns and pronouns that are the indirect object of a verb or the object of certain prepositions
Using dative: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "dative" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
In the sentence 'I gave him the book,' 'him' is in the dative case.
Example
In German, the dative case is used for indirect objects and objects of certain prepositions.
Example
The dative form of 'she' is 'her.'
dative Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for dative
- indirect object
- dative case
Phrases with dative
the phenomenon where the direct object of a verb becomes the subject of a passive construction, and the former subject is introduced with a preposition
Example
In the sentence 'He gave the book to her,' the dative object 'her' becomes the subject of the passive construction 'The book was given to her.'
a type of covalent bond where both electrons come from one atom, forming a coordinate covalent bond
Example
In the molecule NH4+, the nitrogen atom has a dative bond with each of the four hydrogen atoms.
a coordination compound in which a ligand is bound to a metal ion through a dative bond
Example
In the complex [Cu(NH3)4(H2O)2]2+, each ammonia molecule is bound to the copper ion through a dative bond.
Origins of dative
from Latin 'dativus', meaning 'giving'
Summary: dative in Brief
The term 'dative' [deɪtɪv] refers to a grammatical category used for a noun or pronoun that is an indirect object of a verb or a preposition. It is also a case in some languages, such as Latin and German, used for nouns and pronouns that are the indirect object of a verb or the object of certain prepositions. Examples include 'In the sentence 'I gave him the book,' 'him' is in the dative case.' and 'In German, the dative case is used for indirect objects and objects of certain prepositions.'
