Dative Case
To find the indirect object, say: verb + to whom or to what (says to whom, gives to whom, brings to whom)
| NOMINATIVE | CONJUGATED VERB | ACCUSATIVE | DATIVE |
| Find the Subject — Who or what is doing the action? | Does the verb express an action? | If the verb is acting, find the direct object—Who or what is receiving the action? | Find the indirect object—To or for whom/what is the verb acting? |
Say: verb + to whom or to what (gives to whom, sings to whom)
Note: Some verbs in German take a dative object instead of an accusative object.
Examples:
antworten: Er antwortet mir nicht.
danken: Ich danke dir.
gehören: Das gehört mir.
gratulieren: Wir gratulieren dir.
glauben: Er glaubt mir.
helfen: Hilf mir, bitte!