2. 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
Third
Declension
singular -ae -o -i
plural -is -is -ibus
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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!