Dative of Reference

Dative of Reference

A noun or noun equivalent in the dative case is used to express to whom or for whom the action of a verb is done. This is an adverbial modifier use of the dative case. This use of the dative has two requirements:

	A noun or noun equivalent (usually of an animate being) in the dative
	A verb that semantically expresses some kind of advantage or disadvantage to that which is expressed by the dative of reference

Here are some examples complete with translations (the datives of reference have been underlined):

tibi resisto, "I resist you" or "I put up resistence against you"

mihi placet, "it pleases me" or "it is pleasant to me"

omnibus hora fugit, "time flees for everyone"

In each case, the subject does the verb in the frame of reference of the dative of reference

Other Dative Uses

Indirect Object
Dative of Reference
Dative with a Compound
Dative of Purpose

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Lesson Chapter 11

Last Updated March 18, 2003

Questions, comments and corrections should be sent to Brian K. Harvey, Kent State University