With many intransitive verbs the dative is the sole complement. With transitive verbs it is the indirect complement (dative of the indirect or remoter object, usually a person); that is, it further defines the meaning of a verb already defined in part by the accusative.
Topic · from the English index · as printed
Complement
of verb, necessary and voluntary
§§1451–1456DATIVE
direct
§§1460–1468DATIVE AS DIRECT COMPLEMENT OF VERBS
indirect
§§1469–1473DATIVE AS INDIRECT COMPLEMENT OF VERBS
§1454DATIVE