Chapter 7

The endings for words of the Dative Case are in the table below:

Remember, just add these endings onto the base of the noun.

Number First Declension

Second Declension

ThirdDeclension

singular -ae -o -i

plural -is -is -ibus

Indirect objects are words that tell TO WHOM or FOR WHOM something is given, shown, told, or done.

You will ONLY have an indirect object when you have an action verb and a direct object.

Not all sentences with direct objects have indirect objects, but all sentences with indirect objects must have a direct object.

You should look for indirect objects in sentences with verbs of:giving showing

telling doing

I gave the boy the book. I showed the boy the game. I told the boy the story. I poured the boy a drink.

When you see a word in the Dative Case in Latin in a sentence with a verb of giving, showing, telling, or doing, it is most likely an indirect object.

Homo pueri pecuniam dedit.

The easiest way to translate the dative case is to use the English words “to” or “for.”

In English this will look like a prepositional phrase, but that’s ok. It clearly shows a dative in Latin.

Take a look at the sentence from before:Homo pueri pecuniam dedit.The man gave money to the boy.

This sentence could also be translated as:

The man gave the boy the money.

When the main verb in a sentence is a verb of giving, showing, telling, or doing AND you have a direct object in a sentence, LOOK for an indirect object!