Editing: Dative with Certain Verbs in Latin

Make changes to the article content below. You can preview your changes or see a diff comparing to the original text.

4,214 characters

# 1. Essentials at a Glance
The **dative with certain verbs** in Latin grammar involves placing the person or thing affected by the verb’s action in the dative case, rather than the accusative. This usage is crucial for verbs like *faveō* (“favor”), *placeō* (“please”), *crēdō* (“trust”), and *nocēre* (“harm”). Mastering this concept helps intermediate and advanced learners grasp Latin syntax more accurately and interpret texts where these indirect relationships drive the meaning.

---

# 2. Definition & Importance
In **Latin grammar**, the dative with certain verbs (often called the “dative of the indirect object” or “dative of special verbs”) refers to verbs that inherently govern a dative noun, signaling an action *to* or *for* someone. This differs from normal transitive constructions that take the accusative. Understanding this concept prevents **common errors in dative with certain verbs** and underpins accurate Latin reading and composition.

---

# 3. Forms & Morphology
Latin dative endings vary by declension. Here are the standard singular and plural forms:

| Declension | Singular | Plural  |
|------------|----------|---------|
| 1st        | -ae      | -īs     |
| 2nd        | -ō       | -īs     |
| 3rd        | -ī       | -ibus   |
| 4th        | -uī / -ū | -ibus   |
| 5th        | -ēī      | -ēbus   |

- **Exceptions**: Some verbs shift meaning if they govern the accusative versus the dative (e.g., *cōnsulere* can mean “consult someone” in the accusative or “act in someone’s interest” in the dative).  
- **Historical spellings** like *-ubus* for some 4th declension forms appear occasionally, but the basic pattern above dominates.

---

# 4. Usage & Examples
The **Latin dative with certain verbs examples** highlights when an indirect object (marked by the dative) is obligatory. Below are five classical illustrations:

1. **Cicero**: *Subvenī patriae, opitulāre conlēgae.*  
   *Come to the aid of your country, help your colleague.*  
   - *Subvenīre* and *opitulārī* both govern the dative (patriae, conlēgae).

2. **Caesar**: *Huic legiōnī Caesar cōnfīdēbat maximē.*  
   *Caesar placed the greatest trust in this legion.*  
   - *Cōnfīdere* requires the dative (*huic legiōnī*).

3. **Livy**: *Ignōsce patriō dolōrī.*  
   *Forgive a father’s grief.*  
   - *Ignōscere* takes the dative (*patriō dolōrī*).

4. **Horace**: *cūr invideor?*  
   *Why am I envied?*  
   - The verb *invidēre* normally takes a dative (implied *mihi*).

5. **Virgil (Aeneid)**: *parcere subiectīs, et debellāre superbōs*  
   *to spare the conquered and to subdue the proud*  
   - *Parcere* governs *subiectīs* (dative), while *debellāre* takes *superbōs* (accusative).

---

# 5. Common Pitfalls
- **Using the Accusative Instead of the Dative**: Verbs like *crēdō*, *faveō*, and *pāreō* never take a direct object in the accusative.  
- **Mixing Up Similar Verbs**: *Nocēre* requires the dative, but *laedere* takes the accusative.  
- **Mistakes in the Passive Voice**: *Mihi persuāsum est* (“I am persuaded”) is impersonal; avoid *ego persuāsus sum*.  
- **Overlooking Meaning Changes**: *Cōnsulere* in the dative vs. accusative shifts meaning entirely.

---

# 6. Additional Notes & Nuances
Most verbs in this category denote *benefit*, *harm*, *trust*, or *obedience*, reinforcing the idea of an indirect effect on someone. In compound verbs (e.g., *imperō*, *persuādeō*), the affected party also appears in the dative. Poetic texts occasionally manipulate this syntax (as in Horace’s *invideor*), but the base rule remains consistent. Even in impersonal constructions (e.g., *mihi licet*), the dative indicates who is permitted, harmed, or aided.

---

# 7. Key Takeaways
- **Memorize** which verbs intrinsically require the dative (e.g., *placēre, nocēre, oboedīre*).  
- **Watch for Meaning** changes when the same verb can govern either dative or accusative.  
- **Be Alert** in passive structures; the dative often remains unchanged rather than becoming the subject.  
- **Consistency**: The dative always signals someone or something indirectly affected by the verb.  
- **Context Matters**: Differentiate the dative object from other dative uses (e.g., possession, reference).

Document Structure

H11. Essentials at a Glance
H12. Definition & Importance
H13. Forms & Morphology
H14. Usage & Examples
H15. Common Pitfalls
H16. Additional Notes & Nuances
H17. Key Takeaways

Markdown Help

# Heading 1Main Title

## Heading 2Section Title

**bold text**Bold Text

*italic text*Italic Text

[Link](https://...)Hyperlink

1. ItemNumbered List

- ItemBullet List