The dative of purpose
Closely related to the above, the dative can also express the purpose or reason for an action.
go to
the supermarket for my shopping.
which is an alternative
way of saying: I go
to the supermarket to shop.
In Latin, an example would be: eo ad ludum
studio
The above constructions can be combined, leading to a double dative construction.
The soldiers go to the plain for a battle on
behalf of Anthony.
which is an alternative way of saying: The soldiers go to
the plain to fight for Anthony.
which in Latin would be: milites ad
campum pugno Antonio eunt.
The second dative (the 'on behalf of whom' one) is also called a dative of reference.
