Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
dative
noun
/ˈdeɪtɪv/
Definition
The dative is a grammatical case used to indicate the indirect object of a verb.
Examples
- In the sentence ‘I gave him a book,’ ‘him’ is in the dative case.
- In German, the dative case is used for the indirect object, as in ‘Ich gebe dem Mann das Buch’ (I give the man the book).
Meaning
In linguistics, the dative case denotes the noun or pronoun indirectly affected by the action of the verb, often receiving something or for whom something is done.
Synonyms
- indirect object
- recipient
- beneficiary
