Comments on: What is Dative Case? http://www.dailywritingtips.com/what-is-dative-case/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:00:10 -0600 hourly 1 By: Maeve http://www.dailywritingtips.com/what-is-dative-case/comment-page-1/#comment-57122 Maeve Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:16:41 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=1172#comment-57122 Charles, Thanks for the link. I suggest that everyone check it out. An analytic language like English cannot be defined by the rules of a synthetic language like Latin. Charles,
Thanks for the link.

I suggest that everyone check it out. An analytic language like English cannot be defined by the rules of a synthetic language like Latin.

]]> By: Charles http://www.dailywritingtips.com/what-is-dative-case/comment-page-1/#comment-57117 Charles Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:42:32 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=1172#comment-57117 Maeve, You're right. Cases usually refer to the inflection of a noun or pronoun, and so in one sense, "to me" would be a prepositional phrase. Yet, that prepositional phrase accomplishes the dative function. I can imagine that there might be disagreement on that perspective, but see http://www.bartleby.com/68/22/1622.html Maeve,

You’re right. Cases usually refer to the inflection of a noun or pronoun, and so in one sense, “to me” would be a prepositional phrase. Yet, that prepositional phrase accomplishes the dative function. I can imagine that there might be disagreement on that perspective, but see http://www.bartleby.com/68/22/1622.html

]]> By: Maeve http://www.dailywritingtips.com/what-is-dative-case/comment-page-1/#comment-57007 Maeve Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:08:17 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=1172#comment-57007 Charles, My understanding of the Dative Case is that the "to" or "for" is understood. Once you have "to Jim" you have a prepositional phrase. Charles,
My understanding of the Dative Case is that the “to” or “for” is understood.

Once you have “to Jim” you have a prepositional phrase.

]]> By: Charles http://www.dailywritingtips.com/what-is-dative-case/comment-page-1/#comment-57001 Charles Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:15:25 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=1172#comment-57001 The indirect object usually follows the direct object when preceded by a preposition. For example, I gave some money to Jim. On the subjunctive, one use is in contrary-to-fact contexts as in the song, "If I were a rich man." The indirect object usually follows the direct object when preceded by a preposition. For example, I gave some money to Jim.

On the subjunctive, one use is in contrary-to-fact contexts as in the song, “If I were a rich man.”

]]> By: Maeve http://www.dailywritingtips.com/what-is-dative-case/comment-page-1/#comment-55908 Maeve Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:41:02 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=1172#comment-55908 John, I suppose it would be possible to speak of only three cases in English if the concept of case were based on the form of the pronoun and not its function. Nouns, however, retain the same form when used in either Nominative or Accusative. Here's a thought: If English speakers continue in the trend of misusing the personal pronouns, English may eventually be left with only one case. John,
I suppose it would be possible to speak of only three cases in English if the concept of case were based on the form of the pronoun and not its function. Nouns, however, retain the same form when used in either Nominative or Accusative.

Here’s a thought: If English speakers continue in the trend of misusing the personal pronouns, English may eventually be left with only one case.

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