Breakdown of Szef ufa prezesowi jako autorytetowi.
szef
boss (m)
ufać
to trust
jako
as (in the role of)
prezes
CEO
autorytet
authority
Questions & Answers about Szef ufa prezesowi jako autorytetowi.
Why are both prezesowi and autorytetowi in the dative case?
The verb ufać (to trust) requires its object to be in the dative case, which is why we have prezesowi. The particle jako (as) is completely transparent to cases. It makes the noun following it copy the case of the noun it refers back to. Since the CEO is the authority here, autorytet must also take the dative case, becoming autorytetowi.
What happens if it is the boss who is the authority, rather than the CEO?
Because jako transparently matches the case of the noun it describes, you would simply change the case of autorytet. If the boss is the authority, it refers back to szef (which is in the nominative). The sentence would become: Szef jako autorytet ufa prezesowi (The boss, as an authority, trusts the CEO).
Doesn't talking about someone's role usually require the instrumental case? Why isn't it used here?
You might be thinking of sentences using the verb być (to be), like On jest autorytetem (He is an authority), which takes the instrumental. However, when you use jako (as) to define a role, it never forces the instrumental case. It always just copies the case of whatever noun it is attached to.
I sometimes confuse autorytet with 'authorities' (like the government or police). Can it mean that here?
No. In Polish, autorytet strictly refers to a person who is highly respected, a role model, or an expert in a field. If you want to talk about 'the authorities' in the sense of government or law enforcement, you must use the plural word władze.
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