Dative Absolute With -ot
Dative with -ot
An -ot form with a dative noun says what was happening at the time: Saulei rietot, kļuva vēss. (As the sun was setting, it grew cool.) The dative names who or what is doing the -ot action.
How It Works
1. The shape. Dative + -ot form, then a comma, then the main clause. The -ot form is the same one used in -ot -oties adverbial participle:
- Saulei rietot, kļuva vēss. (As the sun was setting, it grew cool.)
- Vilcienam pienākot, visi steidzās uz peronu. (As the train arrived, everyone hurried to the platform.)
2. Different subjects. This phrase has its own subject in the dative. Use it only when that subject is not the subject of the main clause. When the subject is the same, use the -ot form without a dative:
- Man ienākot, visi piecēlās. (When I came in, everyone stood up.)
- Ienākot istabā, es ieraudzīju draugu. (Coming into the room, I saw my friend.)
3. Reflexive verbs. A reflexive verb uses -oties: Pavasarim tuvojoties, dienas kļūst garākas (As spring approaches, the days grow longer).
4. Not -dams. The -dams form always refers to the main subject (see -dams versus -ot), so it cannot take its own dative subject. Only -ot works here.
5. Style. This phrase is common in writing. In conversation, a kad clause says the same thing: Kad saule rietēja, kļuva vēss.
Examples (5)
- Saulei rietot, kļuva vēss.
As the sun was setting, it grew cool.
Word by Word: To-sun setting, became cool.
- Man ienākot, visi piecēlās.
When I came in, everyone stood up.
Word by Word: To-me coming-in, all stood-up.
- Vilcienam pienākot, visi steidzās uz peronu.
As the train arrived, everyone hurried to the platform.
Word by Word: To-train arriving, all hurried to platform.
- No rīta, saulei lecot, es pārgāju pār tiltu.
In the morning, as the sun was rising, I crossed the bridge.
Word by Word: In morning, to-sun rising, I crossed over bridge.
- Pavasarim tuvojoties, dienas kļūst garākas.
As spring approaches, the days grow longer.
Word by Word: To-spring approaching, days become longer.
Tuvoties is reflexive, so the form is tuvojoties.
Common Mistakes
Putting the -ot subject in the nominative.
Saule rietot, kļuva vēss.Saulei rietot, kļuva vēss.The subject of an -ot phrase with its own subject is in the dative: saulei.
Using the dative when the subject is the same as in the main clause.
Man ienākot istabā, es ieraudzīju draugu.Ienākot istabā, es ieraudzīju draugu.I both came in and saw my friend, so there is one subject. Leave out the dative man.
Using -dams with a dative subject.
Saulei rietēdama, kļuva vēss.Saulei rietot, kļuva vēss.A -dams form agrees with the main subject and cannot have its own dative subject. Use -ot.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The dative absolute uses -ot.
Related Patterns
- Adverbial Participle -ot / -otiesWhile or When: -ot
The same -ot form, used here with its own dative subject.
Level 5 - -dams / -damaDoing Two Things at Once: -dams
The -dams form describes the main subject and cannot replace -ot here.
Level 5 - Renarrative -otReported Information: -ot
The same -ot ending is also used to report what others said.
Level 5 - kadWhen: Kad
In everyday speech, a kad clause says the same thing as this phrase.
Level 2
Practice Dative Absolute With -ot in Bubblegum
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