dative shift

English

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈdeɪtɪv ʃɪft/

Noun

dative shift (plural dative shifts)

  1. (grammar) Relocation of the indirect object of a ditransitive verb from a prepositional phrase to a core argument or vice versa.
    The clauses "I'll throw you the ball" and "I'll throw the ball to you" are related by dative shift.
  2. (linguistics) Of a language, dialect, or specific verb, a feature where indirect objects can be given not only in prepositional phrases, but alternatively as core arguments.
    English "to donate" exhibits dative shift only in some dialects; while "I donate clothes to them" is universally accepted, some dialects reject "I donate them clothes" as ungrammatical, or at least unnatural-sounding.
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