The
declension defines the relationship between objects
within a sentence. In English there are two (well actually
three) declensions:
The basic form (= Nominative; in Spanish nominativo).
You'll find them by asking: Who is it? The subject (meaning
the active part of a sentence) is always in nominative.
The possessive form (= Genitive; in Spanish genitivo).
You'll find them by asking: Whose is it? It is mine,
or his or hers.
The object form (in Spanish there
are two: dativo and
acusativo). In English
sentences you'll find them by asking: Whom we are talking
about? In Spanish there is a differentiation between
a direct object (= acusativo) and an indirect object
(dativo).
The last two of the four declensions
are the most - let's say - interesting! Nevertheless, let's take
one step at a time. Do we still understand when the
object is put wrongly?
Direct
object (Whom do I see?)
I
see he.
I see him.
Indirect
object (Whom do I give my house?)
I give he
my house.
I give him my
house.
As you see there is no difference in English whether the
object is direct or indirect. Now we will see how to find
the difference because using the right declension helps
in understanding. Even though, usually it the communication
is not inhibited when using the wrong one.
