Dative case. Indirect object
- The dative case is the case of the indirect object.
- The indirect object answers the questions for whom? to whom? to
what? and for what?
- In English the indirect object can be preceded by the prepositions
to and for:
I gave the book to John. I bought a present for John.
- The same sentences can be expressed in English without a
preposition:
I gave John the book. I bought John a present.
- The indirect object is a person or thing that benefits from some
action.
- Not all verbs can have an indirect object.