Collins

r1s
Grammar

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www.allitebooks.com
 (CONTENTS J
Foreword for language teachers viii

Introduction for students ix

G l ossary xi

1 Aspiration and eclipses 1

As p i rati o n
E c l i pses G

2 Nouns 8
Ove rv i ew of n o u n s 8
T h e c o m m o n fo rm of n o u n s 10
Ot h e r fo r m s o f n o u n s 15
Fo rm i n g t h e g e n itive case 18

3 Pronouns 22
Perso n a l p ro n o u n s: s u bj ect 22
Perso n a l p ro n o u n s : d i rect o bj ect 2G
Pre p o s i ti o n a l p ro n o u n s 29

4 Adjectives 30
Attri b u tive a dj e ctives a n d pre d i cative a dj ectives 30
Deg rees of c o m p a r i s o n of a dj e ctives 44
T h e verba l a dj ective 49
Possessive a dj e ctives 5G

5 Verbs 59
Ove rview of verbs 59
Categ o ri z i n g verbs G1
The i m pe rative G3
The past t e n s e G8
T h e p re s e n t te n s e 78
The futu re tense 89

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6 The verb 'to be' in the present tense 99
T h e h a b i t u a l p resent te n s e of t h e verb 'to be' 99
T h e i m m e d i ate p resent te n s e of t h e verb 'to be' 1 00

7 The copula 101

C l a s s ificati o n s e n t e n ces 101
I d e n t i fi cati o n s e n t e n ces 108
T h e c o p u l a in the past t e n s e 1 13
Is w i t h t h e p re p os i t i o n le u sed to e x p ress o w n e rs h i p 11 6

8 Particles 120
N eg ative v e r b a l pa rti c l es 120
T h e re l ative pa rti c l e 1 25
go/gur, su/a, mura 127

9 The conditional 136

Form i n g t h e c o n d i t i o n a l m o o d 1 36
Aski n g a n d a n sweri n g questi o n s w i t h verbs i n t h e
conditional mood 1 43
I rreg u l a r verbs i n t h e c o n d i t i o n a l m o o d 144

10 The passive 150

Fo rm i n g t h e pass ive 1 50
Ask i n g a n d a n sweri n g questi o n s w i t h verbs i n t h e passive 157
The p a s s i ve w i t h i rreg u l a r verbs 1 58

11 The subju nctive 160

U s i n g t h e s u bj u n ctive 160
Fo rm i n g t h e s u bj u n ctive 1 62

12 Adverbs 165
Adve rbs w h i c h a re fo r m e d fro m a dj ectives 165
Adve rbs of t i m e 1 66
Adve rbs of d i rect i o n 1 68

13 Prepositions 171
S i m p l e a n d c o m p o u n d p re p o s i t i o n s 171

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 Cha n g es c a u sed by s i m p l e p re p o s i ti o n s to n o u n s
beg i n n i n g w i t h a c o n so n a n t 173
C h a n g e s c a u sed by s i m p l e p re po s i t i o n s to n o u n s
beg i n n i n g w i t h a vowe l 177
S i m p l e p re p o s i t i o n s a n d t h e s i n g u l a r a rt i c l e 179
S i m p l e p re p o s i t i o n s a n d t h e p l u ra l a rt i c l e 18G

14 Relative clauses 189

D i rect re l at i ve c l a u se 189
I n d i rect re lative c l a u s e 193

15 N umbers 197
Ca rd i n a l n u m b e rs l 197
Ca rd i n a l n u m b e rs 2 199
Perso n a l n u m be rs 205
Ord i n a l n u m b e rs 208

16 Time and date 210

Ti m e 210
Days of t h e wee k 212
Dates 214

17 N ames and su rnames 217

N ames 217
S u rn a m es 220

18 Place names 224

19 Prefixes and suffixes 228

Prefi xes 228
S u ffixes 231

Main Index 233

Verb Tables 1-27

Verb Index 28-33

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 [ FOREWORD FOR LANGUAGE TEACHERS J
T h e Easy Learning Irish Grammar i s d e s i g n e d to be u sed w i t h both
yo u n g and a d u l t l e a rn e rs , a s a g ro u p refe re n c e b o o k to co m p l e m e n t
yo u r cou rse b o o k d u ri n g c l a s s e s , o r a s a reco m m e n d e d text fo r
s e l f-stu d y a n d h o m ework/cou rsewo r k .

The text s p e c i fi ca l l y ta rg ets l ea rn e rs fro m ab initio to i nterm e d i ate o r

GCS E Leve l , a n d Ord i n a ry Leve l at Leav i n g Ce rtifi cate a n d t h e refo re i t s
stru ctu ra l c o n t e n t a n d voca b u l a ry h ave b e e n matc h e d to t h e s e l eve l s .

T h e a p p ro a c h a i m s t o d eve l o p k n o w l e d g e a n d u n d e rsta n d i n g of
g ra m m a r a n d yo u r l e a r n e rs' a b i l i ty to a p p ly it by

• d efi n i n g pa rts of s p e e c h at t h e sta rt of e a c h m aj o r sect i o n

w i t h exa m p l e s i n E n g l i s h to c l a rify c o n c e pts
• p rovi d i n g c l e a r ex p l a n a t i o n s of g ra m m a r te rms both w i t h i n
t h e text a n d i n t h e G l ossa ry
• i l l u st rati n g a l l p o i nts w i t h exa m p l es (a n d t h e i r t ra n s lati o n s)
based o n t o p i c s a n d c o n texts w h i c h a re re l eva n t to beg i n n e r
a n d i n term e d i ate c o u rse c o n t e n t

T h e text h e l ps yo u d eve l o p p o s i tive att i t u d e s to g ra m m a r l e a rn i n g i n

yo u r c l a sses b y

• g iv i n g c l ea r, easy-to-fo l low ex p l a nati o n s

• h i g h l i g ht i n g u sefu l Tips to d e a l w i t h c o m m o n d iffi c u l t i e s
• s u m m a ri z i n g Key poi nts at t h e e n d of secti o n s to c o n s o l i d ate
l e a rn i n g

viii
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 ( INTRODUCTION FOR STUDENTS J
W h e t h e r you a re sta rti n g to l e a r n I ri s h fo r t h e very fi rst t i m e , b ru s h i n g
u p o n to p i cs yo u h ave stu d i ed i n c l a s s , o r revi s i n g fo r yo u r exa m s . t h e
Easy Learning Irish Grammar i s h e re t o h e l p T h i s ea sy-to- u s e g u i d e ta kes
you t h ro u g h a l l the b a s i c s you wi l l need to s p e a k and u n d e rsta n d
m o d ern , everyday I ri s h .

N ewco m e rs c a n s o m eti m e s stru g g l e w i t h t h e tec h n i c a l terms t h ey

c o m e a c ross w h e n t h ey sta rt to exp l o re t h e g ra m m a r of a n ew
l a n g u a g e . T h e Easy Learning Irish Grammar exp l a i n s h ow to g et to
g ri ps w i t h t h e pa rts of s peech you wi l l n eed to k n ow u s i n g s i m p l e
language.

The text i s d iv i d e d i nto secti o n s , e a c h d ea l i n g w i t h a parti c u l a r a rea

of g ra m m a r. Each sect i o n ca n be stu d i e d i n d iv i d u a l ly, a s n u m e ro u s
c ross-refe re n ces i n t h e text p o i n t y o u t o re l eva n t p o i nts i n o t h e r
secti o n s of t h e b o o k fo r fu rth e r i nfo rmati o n .

The m aj o r secti o n s beg i n w i t h a n ex p l a nati o n o f t h e a rea o f g ra m m a r

covered o n t h e fo l l ow i n g p a g e s

W h a t is a verb?
A verb is a 'd o i n g ' word w h i c h d es c ri bes w h a t s o m e o n e o r
s o m et h i n g d o e s , w h a t s o m e o n e o r s o m eth i n g i s , o r w h a t h a p p e n s
t o t h e m , fo r exa m p l e , run. cry, jump.

E a c h g ra m m a r p o i n t i n t h e text is fo l l owed by s i m p l e exa m p l e s of rea l

I ri s h . co m p l ete w i t h E n g l i s h t ra n s l a ti o n s , h e l p i n g y o u u n d e rsta n d t h e
ru l e s . U n d e rl i n i n g h a s b e e n u sed i n exa m p l es t h ro u g h o u t t h e text to
h i g h l i g h t the g ra m m a t i ca l p o i n t b e i n g exp l a i n e d

ix

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� Nor i s o n l y u sed i n t h e past t e n s e w i t h reg u l a r verbs a n d with
t h e i rreg u l a r verbs beir grab, clois/cluin hear , ith eat. tabhair give ,
tar come . Nor a s p i rates b u t h a s n o effect o n verbs b eg i n n i n g w i t h
vowe l s:
na scoltiirf nor bhris the students who didn't break the
na rialacha rules
sin an buachaill nor that's the boy who didn't open his
oscail a bhronntanas present
In Iri s h , as w i t h a ny l a n g u a g e , t h e re a re certa i n p i tfa l l s w h i c h h ave to
be avo i d ed . Ti ps a n d I nformation n otes t h ro u g h o u t the text a re u sefu l
re m i n d e rs of t h e t h i n g s t h a t ofte n tri p l e a r n e rs u p

Tlp
-a i s a d d ed to a dj ectives t h a t e n d i n a c o n s o n a n t p receded by
a, o, o, 6, u or ii
-e i s a d d ed to a dj ectives t h a t e n d i n a c o n s o n a n t p receded by
e, e, i or f

Key poi nts s u m u p a l l t h e i m po rta n t fa cts a bo u t a parti c u l a r a rea of

g ra m m a r. to save yo u t i m e wh e n you a re revi s i n g a n d h e l p you foc u s
o n t h e m a i n g ra m m a t i c a l p o i nts

KEY POINTS
V W h e n we a re sayi n g w h a t t h e d ate i s. we u s e t h e ord i na l
n u m be rs .
V We a l s o m u st u se a s p e c i a l fo rm o f t h e m o n t h s w h e n sayi n g
w h a t d ate i t i s .

Fi n a l l y, t h e s u p p l e m e n t a t t h e e n d o f t h e b o o k c o n ta i n s Verb Tables,
w h e re m a n y i m po rta n t Iri s h verbs ( b o t h reg u l a r a n d i rreg u l a r) a re
d e c l i n e d i n fu l l . Exa m p l es s h ow you how to u s e these verbs i n yo u r own
wo rk. If yo u a re u n s u re of h ow a verb c o nj u g ates in I ri s h , yo u ca n l o o k
u p t h e Verbs I ndex o n p a g e s 26-31 t o fi n d e i t h e r t h e c o nj u g a t i o n o f t h e
v e r b i tse lf, o r a c ross-refe re n c e to a m o d e l verb , w h i c h wi l l s h ow y o u
t h e patte r n s t h a t ve r b fo l l ows.

We h o p e t h a t you wi l l e nj oy u s i n g the Easy Learning Irish Grammar a n d

fi n d i t u s efu l i n t h e c o u rse o f yo u r s t u d y.
x
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 (GLOSSARY)
ADJECTIVE a wo rd that tel l s you
m o re about a p e rson o r t h i n g ,
d escri b i n g t h e i r a p pea ra n c e ,
co l o u r. s i z e o r o t h e r q u a l iti es.
fo r exa m p l e , pretty, blue, big.
ADVERB a word u s u a l ly u sed with
verbs, adj ectives o r o t h e r adverbs
t h a t g ives m o re i nfo rmati o n a b o u t
w h e n . w h e re. h ow o r i n what
c i rc u m sta nces somet h i n g happens.
fo r exa m p l e , quickly, happily, now.
ACREE (to) to c h a n g e word
e n d i n g s acco rd i n g to w h e t h e r
you a re refe rri n g to mascu l i n e.
fe m i n i n e , s i n g u l a r o r p l u ra l peo p l e
o r t h i n g s.
AG REEMENT c h a n g i n g wo rd
e n d i n g s accord i n g to w h e t h e r you
a re referri ng to mascu l i ne , fem i n i n e ,
s i n g u l a r o r p l u ra l peo p l e o r t h i n g s .
ARTICLE a wo rd l i ke the w h i c h i s
u s e d i n fro nt o f a n o u n.
CARDINAL NUMBER a n u m be r
u sed i n cou nti n g , fo r exa m ple ,
one, seven, ninety. Co m pa re with
ordinal n u m ber.
COM PARATIVE a n a dj ective o r
a d verb w i t h -er o n t h e e n d o f i t o r
more o r less i n fro n t o f i t that i s u sed
xi
to compa re people , t h i n g s or
acti o n s , fo r exa m p l e, slower, less
important, more carefu I ly
CONDITIONAL a verb fo rm used
to ta l k about t h i n g s t h a t wo u l d
h a p p e n o r wo u l d b e true u n d e r
certa i n c o n d i t i o n s , fo r exa m p l e ,
I would help you if I could. I t i s a l s o
used t o say what yo u wo u l d l i ke o r
n eed , fo r exa m p l e , Could you give
me the bil/I
CONJUGATE (to) to g ive a verb
d iffe re n t e n d i n g s accord i n g to
w h e t h e r you a re refe rri n g to I,
you, they a n d so o n , a n d accord i n g
to w h e t h e r you a re refe rri n g to
past, p resent o r futu re. fo r
exa m p l e, have, she had, they will
have.
CONJUGATION a g ro u p of verbs
w h i c h h ave t h e sa m e e n d i n g s a s
each o t h e r o r c h a n g e accord i n g
t o t h e s a m e patte rn .
CONJUNCTION a wo rd s u c h a s
and, because o r but that l i n ks two
word s or p h rases of a s i m i l a r type
o r two pa rts of a s e n t e n c e , fo r
exa m p l e , Diane and I have been
friends for years ; I left because I
was bored.
CONSONANT a l etter of t h e
a l p h a bet w h i c h i s not a vowe l .
fo r exa m p l e, b, f, m, s, v etc .
Co m pa re with VOWEL
DEFINITE A RTICLE the word the.
Co m p a re with indefin ite article.
DEM ONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVE
o n e of t h e wo rd s this , that, these
a n d those u sed with a n o u n to
p o i n t out a pa rti c u l a r p e rson or
t h i n g . fo r exa m p l e , this woman,
that dog
DEM ONSTRATIVE PRON OUN
o n e of t h e wo rd s this, that, these
a n d those used i n stead of a n o u n
to p o i n t o u t peo p l e o r t h i n g s,
fo r exa m p l e. That looks fun.
DIRECT OBJECT a n o u n refe rri n g
to t h e perso n o r t h i n g affected b y
t h e action d e s c ri bed by a ve r b . fo r
exa m p l e, She wrote her name. ; I shut
the window. Co m pa re with i n d i rect
object
ENDING a fo rm a d d e d to a verb,
fo r exa m p l e, go � gof.$., and to
adj ectives a n d n o u n s d e pe n d i n g
o n w h et h e r t h ey refe r to
masc u l i n e. fe m i n i n e. s i n g u l a r
o r p l u ra l t h i n g s
FEMIN INE a fo rm o f n o u n.
p ro n o u n o r a dj ective t h a t i s u sed
to refe r to a l iv i n g b e i n g , t h i n g o r
xii
idea that is not classed as mascu l i ne .
FUTURE a verb t e n s e u s e d to ta l k
a b o u t s o m et h i n g t h a t wi l l h a p p e n
o r wi l l be tru e .
GENDER w h e t h e r a n o u n.
p ro n o u n o r adj ective i s fe m i n i n e
or mascu l i ne.
IM PERATIVE t h e fo rm o f a verb
u sed when g i v i n g o rd e rs a n d
i n st r u ct i o n s. fo r exa m p l e, Shutthe
doori;Sit downi; Don't go1
INDIRECT QUESTION used to te l l
s o m e o n e e l se a b o u t a q u esti o n
a n d i nt rod u ced b y a verb s u c h a s
ask, tell o r wonder. fo r exa m p l e.
He asked me what the time was;
I wonder who he is.
INFINITIVE t h e fo rm of t h e verb
with to in fro n t of i t and w i t h o u t
a ny e n d i n g s a d d ed. fo r exa m p l e ,
to walk, to have, to be, to go.
Co m pa re with stem .
INTERROGATIVE ADJECTIVE
a q u esti o n word used with a n o u n
to a s k who?, what? o r which 1 fo r
exa m p l e, What instruments do you
play?;Which shoes do you like?
INTERROGATIVE PRONOUN
o n e of the word s who, whose,
whom, what a n d which w h e n t h ey
a re u sed i n stead of a n o u n to a s k
q u esti o n s , fo r exa m p l e , What's
happening?;Who's coming?
INVARIABLE u sed to describe a
fo rm w h i c h d o e s not c h a n g e.
IRREGULAR VERB a verb whose
fo r m s d o not fo l l ow a g e n e ra l
pattern o r t h e n o r m a l r u l e s .
Co m p a re with reg ular verb.
M ASCULINE a fo rm of n o u n ,
p ro n o u n o r a dj ective t h a t i s u sed
to refe r to a I ivi n g bei n g , t h i n g or
i d ea that i s not cl assed as fe m i n i n e .
NEG ATIVE a q u esti o n o r
state m e n t w h i c h c o n ta i n s a wo rd
s u c h as not, never o r nothing, a n d i s
u sed t o say t h a t someth i n g i s n o t
h a p p e n i n g , i s not t r u e o r i s a b sent.
fo r exei.m p l e /, never eat meat; Don't
you love me?
NOUN a 'na m i ng' wo rd fo r a l i v i n g
bei n g , t h i n g o r i d e a , fo r exa m p l e .
woman, desk, happiness, Andrew .
NUMBER used to s a y h ow m a n y
t h i n g s you a re refe rri n g to o r
w h e re s o m et h i n g c o m e s i n a
seq u e n c e . See also ord i nal
n u m ber a n d cardinal n u m ber.
OBJECT a n o u n o r p ro n o u n w h i c h
refe rs t o a perso n o r th i n g that is
affected by the action described by
t h e ve r b . Co m pa re w i t h d i rect
xiii
object , i n d i rect object a n d
su bject .
OBJECT a wo rd s u c h as me, him, us
a n d them w h i c h is u sed i n stead of a
n o u n to sta n d i n fo r t h e person o r
t h i n g m o s t d i rectly affected b y t h e
acti o n d escri bed b y t h e ve r b .
ORDIN AL NUMBER a n u m be r
used to i n d icate w h e re s o m et h i n g
c o m e s i n a n o rd e r o r seq u e n c e .
fo r exa m p l e, first, fifth, sixteenth .
Co m p a re with cardinal n u m ber.
PART OF SPEECH a wo rd c l ass.
fo r exa m p l e , noun. verb, adjective,
preposition, pronoun .
PASSIVE a fo rm of t h e verb t h a t i s
u sed w h e n t h e s u bj ect o f t h e verb
i s the p e rson o r t h i n g that is
affected by the acti o n , fo r
exa m p l e , we were told.
PAST PARTICIPLE a verb fo rm
w h i c h i s u sed to fo rm perfect a n d
p l u pe rfect tenses a n d passive s ,
fo r exa m p l e , watched, swum.
S o m e past pa rti c i p l es a re a l s o
u sed a s adj ectives , for exa m p l e.
a broken watch.
PERFECT o n e of t h e verb tenses
u sed to ta l k about t h e past,
espec i a l l y about act i o n s t h a t too k
p l ace a n d we re co m p l eted i n t h e
past.
 PERSONo n e of t h e t h ree c l asses :
t h e fi rst p e rs o n (/ , we). t h e seco n d
person (you s i n g u l a r a n d you
p l u ra l ) . a n d t h e t h i rd person
(he, she, it and they) .
PERSONAL PRONOUNo n e of
t h e g ro u p of wo rd s i n c l u d i n g/, you
a n d they w h i c h a re u sed to refe r to
you rse l f, the peo p l e you a re ta l k i n g
t o . o r t h e peo p l e o r t h i n g s y o u a re
ta l ki n g a b o u t .
PLURALt h e fo rm o f a wo rd w h i c h
i s u s e d to refe r t o m o re t h a n o n e
perso n o r t h i n g . Co m pa re with
singular.
POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVE o n e of
t h e word s my, your, his, her, its, our
o r their , used with a n o u n to s h ow
t h a t o n e p e rs o n o r t h i n g b e l o n g s
t o a n o t h e r.
POSSESSIVE PRONOUNo n e of
t h e wo rd s mine, yours, hers, his, ours
o r theirs, used i n stead of a n o u n to
s h ow t h a t o n e p e rso n o r t h i n g
b e l o n g s t o a n ot h e r.
PREPOSITION a word s u c h a s
at, for, with, into o r from. w h i c h i s
u s u a l l y fo l l owed b y a n o u n ,
p ro n o u n o r, i n E n g l i s h . a word
e n d i n g i n -ing. Pre p o s i t i o n s s h ow
h ow peo p l e a n d t h i n g s re l ate to
the rest of the s e n t e n ce. fo r
exa m p l e . She's at home;a tool [Qr
xiv
cutting grass, It's [ram David.
PRESENT a verb fo rm used to ta l k
a b o u t what i s t r u e a t t h e m o m e n t .
w h a t h a p p e n s reg u l a rly, a n d what
i s h a p pe n i n g n ow. fo r exa m p l e .
I'm a student; I travel to college by
train; I'm studying languages
PRONOUNa wo rd w h i c h you use
i n stead of a n o u n. w h e n you d o
n o t n eed o r wa nt to n a m e
s o m e o n e o r s o m et h i n g d i rectly,
fo r exa m p l e. it, you, none.
REFLEXIVE PRONOUNa word
e n d i n g i n -self or-selves. s u c h a s
myself orthemselves. w h i c h refe rs
b a c k to t h e s u bject. fo r exa m p l e .
He hurt himself ;Tal<e care of
yourself
REGULAR VERB a verb w h ose
fo r m s fo l l ow a g e n e ra l patte rn or
the n o rmal r u l e s . Co m pa re with
i rreg ular verb.
RELATIVE PRONOUNa word
s u c h as that, who or which. w h e n it
i s u sed to l i n k two pa rts of a
sentence tog eth e r
SENTENCEa g ro u pclwo�s
w h i c h u s u a l ly h a s a verb a n d a
s u bject. I n wri t i n g . a sentence h a s
a ca p i ta l l etter at t h e beg i n n i n g
a n d a fu l l sto p . q u esti o n m a r k o r
exc l a m a t i o n m a rk at t h e e n d .
SINGULARt h e fo rm of a word
w h i c h i s u sed to refe r to o n e person
o r t h i n g Co m pare with pl u ral
STEM t h e fo rm of t h e verb
w i t h o u t any e n d i n g s ad d ed to i t ,
fo r exam p l e . wall<, have, be, go.
Co m pare w i t h infin itive .
SUB JECT t h e n o u n o r p ro n o u n i n a
s e n te n ce o r p h rase that refe rs to
t h e p e rs o n o r t h i n g t h at does t h e
act i o n described b y t h e verb o r i s i n
t h e state d escri bed b y t h e ve r b , fo r
exam p l e , My cat doesn't drinl< mill<.
Co m pare with object
SUB JECT PRONOUNa word s u c h
a s I , he, she and they w h i c h carries
out t h e act i o n d e s c r i b e d by the
verb. Pro n o u n s sta n d in fo r n o u n s
w h e n i t i s c l ear w h o i s b e i n g tal ked
a b o u t , fo r exam p l e. My brother isn't
here at the moment. He'll be bacl< in an
hour Co m pare with object
pronoun.
SUB JUNCTIVEa verb fo rm u sed i n
ce rtai n c i rc u m stances t o ex p ress
some s o rt of fee l i n g , o r to s h ow
d o u bt about w h e t h e r s o m et h i n g
xv
wi l l h a p p e n o r w h e t h e r s o m et h i n g
i s tru e . I t i s o n ly u sed occas i o na l l y
i n m o d e rn E n g l i s h , fo r exam p l e. lfl
were you, I wouldn't bother; So be it.
SUPERLATIVE an adj ective o r
adve rb w i t h -est o n t h e e n d o f i t o r
most o r least i n fro n t o f i t t h at i s
u sed to c o m pare peo p l e, t h i n g s o r
acti o n s , fo r exam p l e , thinnest, most
quickly, least interesting.
SYLLAB LE c o n s o nant+ vowe l
u n its that make u p t h e so u n d s of
a word , fo r exam p l e , ca-the-dral
(3 syllables), im-po-ssi-ble (4
syllables).
TENSE t h e fo rm of a verb w h i c h
s h ows w h et h e r y o u are refe rri n g
to t h e past, p resent o r fu t u re .
VERB a 'd o i n g ' wo rd w h i c h
d escri bes what s o m e o n e o r
s o m et h i n g d o e s , what s o m e o n e o r
s o m et h i n g i s , o r what hap p e n s t o
t h e m , fo r exam p l e , be, sing, live.
VOWELo n e of t h e l etters a, e, i, o
o r u. Co m pare with consonant
 I
II
I
I I
 ( ASPIRATION AND ECLIPSES J
1 Aspiration

What is aspiration ?
As p i ra t i o n i s w h e n w e p l ace t h e l ette r h after t h e i n i t i a l c o n s o n a n t
of wo rd s i n Iri s h . T h e re a re certa i n c o n s o n a nts t h a t ca n n ot b e
a s p i rated , a n d vowe l s a re n ever a s p i rated . As p i rati o n ca u ses t h e
p ro n u n c i a t i o n to c h a n g e , a n d t h e p ro n u n c i a t i o n d e p e n d s o n
w h e t h e r t h e c o n s o n a n t i s broad (fo l l owed b y a , o, u ) o r slender
(fo l l owed by i, e)

T h e l ette rs b, c, d, f. g, m, p, s, t ca n a l l be a s p i rated .

1 .1 When do we aspirate n o u n s ?

> Afte r t h e a rt i c l e an

• w h e n a m a s c u l i n e n oun is in the g e n i t i ve case

ceann an chapaill the horse's head

obair an fheirmeora the farmer's worl<

• w h e n a fe m i n i n e n o u n is i n its n o r m a l fo rm .

D'imigh an bhean. The woman left

Diin an fhuinneog! Close the window'

¢ T h e Co n t e n ts p a g e at t h e beg i n n i n g of t h e b o o k a n d t h e Ma i n
I n d ex o n p a g e 233 s h ow w h e re t o fi n d m o re i nfo rmati o n o n
g ra m m a r c o n ce pts a p peari n g i n t h i s c h a pter.
 2 ASPIRATIONS AND ECLIPSES

> I n t h e vocative case - both s i n g u l a r a n d p l u ra l

A Slleain, tar anseo! Sean, come here!

A blluachailli, no deanaigi sin! Boys, don't do that!

> Afte r t h e fol l owi n g p re p o s i t i o n s or on , de from , do to, faoi under.

idir between , mar as , 6 from , roimh before. thar over , trf through ,
um about:

ar Sllean on Sean

de Mllaire from Maire

do blluachailli for boys

faoi cllrann under a tree

mar dlluine as a person

6 mllaidin from morning

roimh Sllamhain before Hallowe'en

um CllOisc around Easter

• The p re p o s i t i o n gan without a s p i rates i n g e n e ra l u s e , b u t n o t

w h e n w o r d s beg i n w i t h d , f. s , t

gan mlloill without delay

i
I >After den from the , don to the a n d so in the:

Thit se den cllrann. He fell from the tree.

Thug me cuidiu don I gave help to the boy

blluachaill.

Ta an c6ta so cll6fra. The coat is in the cupboard.

> I n U l ster I ri s h afte r or an on the , ag an at the. as an from the , faoin

under the , trid an through the , 6n from the, leis an with the
 ASPIRATIONS AND ECLIPSES 3

Chuaigh Aoibh trld an Aoibh went through the pa r/<.

pl1_6irc.

Beidh Orlaith ag ceol ar O rla ith will be sing i ng on the

an cb_lar. prog ra m me.

> After the possess ive a dj ectives mo my, do yo u r, a his

Is I Michelle mo M ichelle is my wife.

bl:!eancheile.

ca bhfuil do cl1.6ta ? Where is yo u r coat ?

Ta a chara iontach tinn. His friend is very sic/<.

>After aon one, d(h)a two a n d cead first

aon (hear amhtiin one m a n

d h ti bl:!r6g two shoes

an da bl:!liain sin those two yea rs

an cl:!ead chuid den sceal the first part o(the story

> Afte r trf th ree, ceithre fou r, cuig five, se six

trf bl1.6 th ree cows

ceithre cl:!apall fou r h o rses

se ml:!fle six m i les

> After t h e co p u l a i n t h e past t e n s e a n d t h e c o n d i t i o n a l , ba, ar gur,

nfor, nar:

Ba bl:!ad beag e. It was a small boat.

Nfor cl:!aillteanas m6r e. It wasn't a h uge loss.

 4 ASPIRATIONS AND ECLIPSES

> I f t h e n o u n i s t h e seco n d part of a co m po u n d w o rd

sean(hear an old m a n

dea-t!:J.oil good will

> I f the n o u n i s a p ro p e r n o u n in the g e n i t i v e :

scoil P!:J.adraig Patrick's school

in aice B!:J.eal Feirste beside Belfast

> I f the n o u n i s the fi rst word of a p h ra s e in the g e n i tive

sceal m!:J.uintir na hEireann the story of the people of Ireland

1 I

> I f t h e n o u n i s i n t h e g e n i tive after a n o u n t h a t e n d s i n a s l e n d e r

c o n s o n a n t ( i f t h e l ette r i a p pe a rs i n fro n t o f i t)

fir cheoil music men

1.2 When d o we aspirate adjectives?

> W h e n t h e a dj ective d e s c r i b e s a fe m i n i n e n o u n in its n o rm a l fo rm :

D'imigh an ghirseach b!:J.eag. The small g i rl left

Ca bhfuil an leabharlann Where is the public libra ry ?

p!:J.oiblf?

> W h e n t h e a dj ective d e s c ri bes a n o u n i n t h e g e n itive s i n g u l a r

hata a n fhir ml:!6ir the big m a n 's hat

doras an tsiopa b!:J.ig the door of the small shop

>Wh e n t h e a djective d e s c ri bes a n o u n in t h e p l u ra l. if the n o u n ends i n

a slender consonant:
 ASPIRATIONS AND ECLIPSES 5

Ta seamail/ dllubha There a re black clouds in the sky

sa spear.

Cuir na cupain glllana Put the clea n cups in the cupboard .

sa ch6fra.

> I f t h e n u m b e rs 2-19 p reced e t h e n o u n , t h e a dj ective fo l l ow i n g t h e m

i s a s p i rated

dh6 chapall bllana two wh ite horses

seacht mb6 ml16ra seven l a rg e cows

> After beirt two

beirt fhear ml16ra two big m en

1.3 When do we aspirate verbs?

> I n t h e past t e n s e a n d i n t h e co n d i t i o n a l

Cllaill se a mhOla inne. He lost his bag yesterday

Tlliocfadh se do mb'fheidir leis. H e would come if h e could.

> Afte r t h e pa rti c l e s nf, nfor, ar, nor, car, ma

Nf f11 eicim e. I don't see h i m .

Nfor dllfol se as. He didn't pay for i t

> Afte r t h e re l a tive p ro n o u n i n d i rect c l a u ses

an fear a dllfolann tithe the m a n who sells houses

> Afte r cad e a what, cathain a when , ce a wh o , cen uair a when , conas a
how, ceard a what, mar a a s , nuair a when:

Ce a dlleanfaidh e? Who will do it?

Cen uair a t11ioc(aidh se? When will he com e ?

 6 ASPIRATIONS AND ECLIPSES

2 Eclipses

What a re ecli pses?

A n ec l i pse is t h e p l a c i n g of a l ette r in fro n t of a n o t h e r l ette r.
T h e e c l i ps i n g l ette r t h e n beco m e s t h e d o m i na n t s o u n d .
E a c h l ette r i n I ri s h w h i c h ca n b e e c l i psed h a s its own ec l i ps i n g
l ette r. T h e e c l i ps i n g l ette r i s h i g h l i g hted i n b o l d .

mb gc nd bhf ng bp dt

A l l vowe l s a re e c l i psed by n- , except w h e n t h e n o u n beg i n s w i t h a

c a p i t a l l ette r ar n-athair o u r father, b u t ar nUachtaran o u r president

2 .1 When do we eclipse nou ns?

� I n Co n n a u g h t a n d Mun ster I ri s h n o u n s a re e c l i psed after ar an on the,

ag an a t the, as an from the, faoin u n der the, trfd an th rough the, 6n
from the

ar an gcapall on the h o rse

as an mb6d from the boat

� I n t h e g e n itive p l u ra l after t h e a rt i c l e na

torman na d.tonn the sound of the wa ves

�Afte r t h e p re p o s i t i o n i

I i mbliana this yea r

I'

i J?,ponc in trouble
'I
I
111 i nDoire in Derry

''

I �I
 ASPIRATIONS AND ECLIPSES 7

�Afte r t h e possessive a dj ectives cir o u r, bhur you r ( p l u ra l ) a n d a their

Deanfaimid cir ndicheall. We will do our best.

Chai/I sibh bhur gciall. You lost you r senses

� Afte r seacht seven , ocht eig h t , naoi nine a n d deich ten :

seacht mbliana seven yea rs

deich n-asal ten donkeys

2 . 2 When do we eclipse verbs?

� Afte r an, nach, go a n d cci:

An bhfaca tu an fear sin ? Did you see that m a n ?

Nach d_tuigeann t u a n cheist? Don't you u n dersta nd the q u estion ?

�After dci if a n d mura if not

Dci bhfeicfeci e bheadh If you saw it yo u would be a m azed.

iontas ort.

Mura n-61faidh seisean e, If he doesn't dri n k it I will dri n k it.

61faidh mise e.

�Afte r t h e i n d i rect pa rti c l e a

an buachaill a bhfuair a the boy whose father died

athair bas
 (NOUNS)

What is a n o u n ?
A noun i s a 'n a m i n g ' wo rd fo r a l iv i n g b e i n g , t h i n g o r i d e a , fo r
exa m p l e , boy, love, Sean .

1 Overview of nouns

> N o u n s i n I ri s h h ave d iffe re n t g e n d e r s . T h ey a re e i t h e r m a s c u l i n e o r

fe m i n i n e. Gra m m a t i ca l g e n d e r i n I ri s h i s n o t c o n n ected w i t h
b i o l o g i c a l g e n d e r, a s w e see w i t h t h e w o rd cailin a g i rl , w h i c h i s a
m a s c u l i n e n o u n1

>No u n s i n I ri s h fo rm t h e i r p l u ra l s by a d d i n g to t h e n o u n OR by
c h a n g i n g i t i nterna l l y

gasur a boy gasuir boys

cailin a g i rl cailin[ g i rls

>No u n s in I ri s h ca n be a s p i rated or ec l i psed Th i s is ex p l a i n e d i n

c h a pter 1 .

c6fra a cupboa rd so cl16fra in the cupboa rd

gluaistean a car or an ruJluaistean on the ca r

> N o u n s i n I ri s h ca n h ave t- p l aced i n fro n t of t h e m

aran bread an t-aran the bread

> N o u n s in I ri s h ca n h ave h- p l aced in fro n t of t h e m :

a n ait the place no naiteanna the pla ces

 NOUNS 9

:>-Th e I ri s h word fo r the i s e i t h e r an o r na , d e p e n d i n g o n w h e t h e r t h e

n o u n fo l l owi n g i s s i n g u l a r o r p l u ra l , o r a fe m i n i n e n o u n i n t h e
g e n itive case

an scoil the school na scoileanna the schools

an phairc the ff eld ltir na pairce the m iddle of the ffeld

Tep
T h e re i s n o w o rd fo r a i n I ri s h . S o , t h e w o rd bean m e a n s both a
wom a n a n d wom a n:

Chonaic me bean. I saw a woman.

10 NOUNS

2 The common form of nouns

Loo k at t h i s s e n t e n c e :

D'ith an fear an dinnear. The m a n a te the din ner.

T h e re a re two n o u n s in t h i s s e n t e n c e an fear 'the man' a n d an

-

dinnear 'the d i nner'. The man i s the s u bject of the s e n t e n c e ( t h e

p e rso n , p l a c e o r t h i n g w h i c h c a r r i e s o u t t h e acti o n ) a n d the dinner i s
t h e object o f t h e s e n te n ce ( a p e rso n , p l ace o r t h i n g i nvo lved i n t h e
acti o n , b u t w h i c h d oes n't ca rry i t o u t) . W h e n a n o u n i s t h e s u bject
or object of a s e n t e n c e , we say t h a t t h e n o u n is i n t h e common
form , whether i t i s s i n g u l a r o r p l u ra l .

II) We c a n te l l w h e t h e r a n o u n i s m a s c u l i n e o r fe m i n i n e b y its e n d i n g .

2 .1 Mascu l i n e n o u n s a n d their p l u ra l in the common form

Th e re a re 3 m a i n g ro u ps of m a s c u l i n e n o u n s :

> G ro u p 1: No u n s t h a t e n d i n a broad consonant ( a c o n s o n a n t o r

g ro u p o f c o n s o n a n ts w h i c h h a s a/6, o/6 o r u/u befo re it)

• T h e i r p l u ra l is fo r m e d by p l a c i n g i befo re the l a st c o n s o n a n t o r
b y c h a n g i n g ach t o aigh

• An d oes not m a ke a ny d iffe re n c e to the sta rt of a n o u n

beg i n n i n g w i t h a c o n s o n a n t , b u t p l a ces t- befo re a vowe l a t t h e
sta rt of t h e n o u n .

• N a d oes n o t m a k e a ny d iffe re nce to t h e sta rt o f a n o u n

beg i n n i n g w i t h a c o n s o n a n t , b u t p l aces h - befo re a vowe l a t t h e
sta rt o f a p l u ra l n o u n .
 NOUNS 11

Singular Pl u ral
btid an bad btiid no btiid
a boat the boat boats the boats
cosan an cosan cosain no cosain
a footpath the footpath footpaths the footpaths
cnoc an cnoc cnoic no cnoic
a hill the h i l l h ills the h ills
asal an t-asal asail no hasail
a don key the don key don keys the don keys
marcach an marcach marcaigll no marcaigh
a jockey the jockey jockeys the jockeys

> G ro u p 2: No u n s t h a t i n d i cate p rofess i o n s a n d e n d i n -eir, -eoir, -6ir

• T h e i r p l u ra l is fo r m e d by p l a c i n g f at t h e e n d of t h e w o rd .

• A n d oes n o t h ave a n y effect i f t h e n o u n sta rts w i t h a c o n s o n a n t .

b u t p l aces t - befo re a vowe l a t t h e sta rt o f a n o u n .

• Na d oes n o t h ave a n y effect i f t h e n o u n sta rts w i t h a c o n s o n a n t.

b u t p l a ces h- befo re a vowe l at t h e sta rt of a p l u ra l n o u n .

Singular Pl u ra l
feirmeoir an feirmeoir feirmeoirf no feirmeoirf
a fa rmer the fa rmer fa rm ers the fa rm ers
b6d6ir an bad6ir bad6irf no bad6irf
a boatman the boatman boatmen the boatmen
siopad6ir an siopad6ir siopad6irf no siopad6irf
a shopkeeper the shopkeeper shopkeepers the shopkeepers
aisteoir an t-aisteoir aisteoirf no 11aisteoirf
an actor the actor a ctors the actors
12 NOUNS

> G ro u p 3 : N o u n s t h a t e n d in -fn .

• Th e i r p l u ra l i s fo rmed b y p l a c i n g i a t t h e e n d o f t h e wo rd.

• An d o e s n o t h ave a n y effect i f t h e n o u n sta rts w i t h a c o n s o n a n t ,

b u t p l aces t - befo re a vowe l a t t h e sta rt of a n o u n.

• Na d oes n o t h ave a n y effect if t h e n o u n sta rts w i t h a c o n s o n a n t ,

b u t p l aces h- befo re a vowe l at t h e sta rt of a p l u ra l n o u n

Singular Pl u ral
cailin an cailin cailin i na cailin i
a g i rl the g i rl g i rls the g i rls
sicin an sicin sicin i na sicin i
a chicken the ch icken chickens the ch ickens
coin in an coinin coinin i na coinin i
a ra bbit the ra bbit ra bbits the ra bbits
ispin an t-ispin ispin i na llispin i
a sausage the sa usage sausages the sausages

2.2 Fem i n i n e n o u n s and their p l u ra l in the common form

T h e re a re 3 m a i n g ro u ps of fe m i n i n e n o u n s

> G ro u p i: N o u n s t h a t e n d i n -6g o r -eog .

• Th e i r p l u ra l i s fo r m e d by a d d i n g a to t h e e n d of t h e word .

• An ca u ses t h e i n it i a l c o n s o n a n t of a n o u n to be a s p i rated, b u t
h a s n o effect if t h e n o u n sta rts w i t h a vowe l

• Na d o e s n o t h ave a ny effect if t h e n o u n starts w i t h a c o n s o n a n t

b u t p l aces h - befo re a vowe l at t h e sta rt of a p l u ra l n o u n .

www.allitebooks.com
 NOUNS 13

Singular Plural
brag an bl1r6g brogg_ na brogg_
a shoe the shoe shoes the shoes
fuinneog an fhuinneog fuinneogg_ na fuinneogg_
a window the window win dows the windows
ordog an ord6g ord6ga na fJ_ordogg_
a th u m b t h e th u m b th u m bs the th u m bs

� G ro u p 2: N o u n s t h a t e n d i n a slender consonant (a c o n s o n a n t
w h i c h h a s i b efo re i t).

• Th e i r p l u ra l i s fo r m e d by a d d i n g eanna or eacha .

• An ca u ses t h e i n i t i a l c o n s o n a n t of a n o u n to be a s p i rated.
but h a s n o effect o n words beg i n n i n g with vowe l s .

• N a d oes n o t h ave a ny effect if t h e n o u n starts w i t h a c o n s o n a n t

b u t p l aces h - befo re a vowe l a t t h e sta rt o f a p l u ra l n o u n

Singular Pl u ral
paire an pfJ_Qirc pairceanna na pairceanna
a field the field fields the fields
ait an ait aiteanna na llaiteanna
place the place pla ces the places

� G ro u p 3: No u n s t h a t e n d i n -lann a n d refe r to a p l a c e

• T h e i r p l u ra l i s fo r m e d by a d d i n g -a .

• An c a u ses t h e i n i t i a l c o n s o n a n t of a n o u n to be a s p i rated .
b u t d o e s n o t h i n g to a n o u n beg i n n i n g w i t h a vowe l .
 14 NOUNS

• Na d oes not h ave any effect if the n o u n sta rts with a c o n s o n a n t

b u t p l aces h- befo re a vowe l at t h e sta rt o f a p l u ra l n o u n .

Singular Pl u ra l
pictiurlann an pllictiurlann pictiurlannq na pictiurlannq
a cinema the cinema cinemas the cinemas
amharclann an amharclann amharclannq na llamharclannq
a theatre the theatre theatres the theatres

¢ See c h a pter i fo r fu r t h e r i nfo rmati o n o n a s p i ra ti o n .

I Tip
T h e n a m es of a l o t of c o u n t r i e s , c o n t i n e n ts a n d rivers a re fe m i n i n e :

.I
I
A n Fhrainc Fra nce

An Ruis Russia

An Eoraip E u rope

An Fheabhail The Foyle

The n a m es of l a n g u a g es a re m o st l y fe m i n i n e :

A n Ghaeilge I rish

An Spciinnis Spa n ish

 NOUNS 1 5

3 Other forms of nouns

N o u n s a l s o a p pea r in I rish i n a n u m be r o f o t h e r fo r m s , o r cases a s t h ey

a re ca l l ed .

Cases
A case is a c h a n g e in a n o u n w h i c h s h ows its re l a ti o n s hip to o t h e r
w o rd s in t h e s e n te n c e . I n E n g l is h t h i s h a p p e n s m ost often w h e n 's
is a d d ed to a n o u n to s h ow t h a t t h e n o u n owns s o m et h i n g

Cla i re's bil<e, the tea m 's goalkeeper; the city's h istory

T h e re a re m o re cases in I ri s h t h a n in E n g lis h .

3 .1 N o u n s i n the vocative case

A n o u n is in t h e vocative case w h e n i t is u sed to n a m e t h e person o r

t h i n g t h a t i s a d d ressed . To fo rm t h e vocative case, w e p l ace a befo re
t h e n o u n a n d a s pirate it . Wit h m a s c u l i n e n a m e s e n d i n g in a b road
c o n s o n a n t , we both a s pirate a n d p l ace i befo re t h e l a s t c o n s o n a n t .

Tar anseo, a chara. Come h ere, friend .

N a dean sin, a Dhiarmaid. Don't do that, Diarm a i d .

A chailfni, na bigi mall. G i rls, don't be late.

3 . 2 N o u n s i n the dative case

�A n o u n i s p u t into t h e dative case i f it c o m e s after the fo l l owi n g

p re p o sitio n s :
16 NOUNS

ag ar as chuig de
at on from to off
do faoi go ; le
to u n der to in with
6 thart trf um
from around th rough a ro u n d

> S o m e of t h ese p re p o s i t i o n s ca u s e a s p i ra t i o n to t h e beg i n n i n g of

w o rd s .

Ta gaineamh ar thra. There is sand on a beach .

>Wh e n t h ese p re p o s i ti o n s a re p l aced befo re n o u n s w h i c h h ave an i n

fro n t o f t h e m , aspiration o r ecli pses ca n a l so occ u r. Th i s i s d i s c u ssed
fu rth e r in the c h a pter o n P re p o s i ti o n s .

Bhf fear ag a n fl!uinneog. There was a man a t the window

Bhf fear an an bhfuinneog . There was a man a t the window

3.3 N o u n s in the gen itive case

>Th i s i s the fo rm of the n o u n w h i c h s h ows possess i o n , l i ke the 's or of

in E n g l i s h W h e re two n o u n s o cc u r tog e t h e r in I ri s h , the seco n d is
u s u a l l y in the g e n i tive

teach Sheain Sean 's house

muintir na h6ite the people ofthe pla ce

cupan tae a cup oftea

>The g e n itive is u sed after compound p repositions. w h i c h a re

p re p o s i t i o n s m a d e u p of m o re t h a n o n e w o rd Th i s i s d i s c u ssed
fu r t h e r in the c h a pter on P re p os i ti o n s .
 NOUNS 17

or fud no cathrach th ro ug h o u t the city

os com hair an tf opposite the h ouse

>Th e g e n itive is u sed after ag +verba l nou n , w h i c h i s a n o u n d e rived

fro m the verb. T h i s c o r re s po n d s to -ing w o rd s in E n g l i s h . l i ke clea n i ng ,
working etc.

ag glanadh no fuinneoige clea n i ng the window

ag scrfobh leabhair writing a book

>The g e n itive is u sed after t h e fo l l owi n g

timpea/I an tf
timpea/I a ro u n d
a ro u n d the house
chun no Fraince
chun to
to Fra n ce
trasna no habhann
trasna a cross
across the river
cois no farraige
co is beside
beside the sea
m6ran airgid
m6ran a lot or
a lot o[mone)I.
beagan ceille
beagan a sma l l a m o u n t or
a s m a l l a m o u n t o[sense
a /6n daoine
a /6n a lot or
a lot 0[12eo12le
18 NOUNS

4 Forming the genitive case

How we fo rm t h e g e n i tive of n o u n s d e p e n d s o n w h e t h e r t h ey a re
m a s c u l i n e o r fe m i n i n e , a n d t h e i r e n d i n g s .

4 .1 M ascu l i n e n o u n s i n the gen itive

> G ro u p l: N o u n s t h a t e n d in a broad consonant (a c o n s o n a n t o r

g ro u p o f c o n s o n a nts w h i c h h a s a/a, o/6 o r u/u befo re it) o r n o u n s
t h a t e n d i n earjear

• T h e g e n i t i ve is fo rmed by p l a c i n g i befo re t h e l a s t c o n s o n a n t ,
o r by c h a n g i n g -ach to -aigh o r -each to -igh .

• I f t h e n o u n sta rts w i t h a c o n s o n a n t. an ca u ses a s p i ra ti o n .

T h e re i s n o effect if t h e n o u n sta rts w i t h a vowe l .

an b6d fear an bl:!6id

the boat the man or the boat
an cosan bun an cl:!osain
the root path the bottom or the root path
an cnoc barr an cl:!noic
the h i l l the t o p o(the h i l l
an t-asal cluasa an asail
the don key the don key\ ea rs
an marcach capall an ml:!arcaigl:!
the jockey thejockey's h o rse
an fear hata an fhir
the m a n the m a n 's hat

> G ro u p 2 : N o u n s t h a t i n d i cate p rofes s i o n s and end in -eir, -eoir, -6ir.

 NOUNS 19

• Th e i r g e n i t i ve i s fo rmed by c h a n g i n g -eir to -eara, -eoir to -eora

a n d -6ir to -6ra .

• I f t h e n o u n sta rts w i t h a c o n s o n a n t an c a u ses a s p i ra t i o n . I t h a s

n o effect if t h e n o u n starts w i t h a vowe l .

an feirmeoir teach an fl!eirmeora

the fa rmer the fa rm er's h ouse
an btid6ir bean an blltid6ra
the boatma n t h e boatm a n 's wife
an t-aisteoir gluaistean an aisteora
the actor the actor's car

� G ro u p 3 : N o u n s that end in -fn

• T h e g e n i tive i s t h e sa m e as t h e c o m m o n fo rm .

• I f t h e n o u n sta rts w i t h a c o n s o n a n t an ca u ses a s p i ra ti o n .

T h e re i s n o effect i f t h e n o u n sta rts w i t h a vowe l .

a n cailfn giina an cl1ailfn

the g i rl the g i rl 's dress
an coinfn poll an crroinfn
the ra bbit the ra bbit's hole
an ispfn bias an ispfn
the sausage the taste of the sa usage

4.2 Fem i n i n e nouns and the g e n itive

� G ro u p 1: N o u n s t h a t e n d i n -6g o r -eog .

• Th e i r g e n i t i ve i s fo rmed by c h a n g i n g -6g to -6ige a n d -eog

to -eoige
20 NOUNS

• An c h a n g es to no in the g e n i tive s i n g u l a r. It has n o effect if t h e

n o u n sta rts w i t h a c o n s o n a n t , b u t cau ses h to b e a d d e d if t h e
n o u n sta rts w i t h a vowe l .

a n bhr6g loll no br6igg

the shoe the shoelace
an fhuinneog gloine no fuinneoigg
the window the g lass of the window
an ord6g barr no hord6igg
the th u m b t h e top o ft h e th u m b

> G ro u p 2: N o u n s t h a t e n d i n a slender consonant ( a c o n s o n a n t

w h i c h h a s i b efo re it) .

• T h e i r g e n itive i s fo r m e d b y a d d i n g -e.

• An c h a n g es to no in t h e g e n itive s i n g u l a r. It has no effect if t h e

n o u n sta rts w i t h a co n s o n a n t. b u t c a u ses h to be a d d e d if t h e
n o u n sta rts w i t h a vowe l .

an phOirc ltir no paircg

the field the m iddle of the field
an ait muintir no htiitg
the place the people of the place

> G ro u p 3: N o u n s t h a t e n d in -lann a n d refe r to a p l a c e .

• T h e i r g e n itive i s fo r m e d by c h a n g i n g -lann to -lainne.

• An c h a n g es to no in the g e n i tive s i n g u l a r. It has n o effect if t h e

n o u n sta rts w i t h a c o n s o n a n t , b u t c a u s e s h to be a d d e d if t h e
n o u n sta rts w i t h a vowe l .
 NOUNS 21

an pllictiurlann doras no pictiurlainng

the cinema the door of the cinema
an amharclann uineir no l:!_amharclainng
the theatre the owner of the thea tre

KEV POINTS

V' T h e re i s n o wo rd fo r a i n I ri s h .
V' T h e w o rd fo r the i s e i t h e r an o r no.
V' Pl u ra l s of n o u n s i n I ri s h c a n be fo r m ed by a n i ntern a l c h a n g e ,
o r b y addi n g a s o u n d t o t h e e n d o f t h e n o u n .
V' No u n s i n I ri s h h ave diffe re n t fo r m s ca l l ed cases.
V' We c a n tel l whether a n o u n i s m a s c u l i n e o r fe m i n i n e by its
e ndi n g .
V' No u n s i n I ri s h ca n b e a s p i rated o r e c l i psed.
 (PRONOUNS J

What is a pro n o u n ?
A p ro n o u n i s a w o rd you u s e i n stead of a n o u n , when you d o n o t
n e e d o r wa n t to n a m e s o m e o n e o r so m et h i n g d i rectly, fo r exa m p l e ,
i t , you , none.

T h e re a re two m a i n ty pes of p ro n o u n i n I ri s h

> Personal p ronouns s u c h a s/ , you , h e , h e r a n d they, w h i c h a re u sed t o

refe r t o you rse l f, t h e p e rso n y o u a re ta l ki n g t o , o r o t h e r peo p l e a n d
t h i n g s . T h ey ca n be e i t h e r s u bject p ronouns(/, you , h e a n d s o o n ) o r
d i rect object p ronouns ( h i m , h er. them a n d so o n ) .

> Prepositional pronouns s u c h a s with m e , o n h i m , t o them . These

a p pea r in I ri s h a s s i n g l e w o rd s .

1 Personal pronouns: subject

What is a s u bject pro n o u n ?

A s u bject p ro n o u n i s a word such a s/ , he, she and they, w h i c h
p e rfo r m s t h e acti o n e x p ressed b y t h e ve r b . Pro n o u n s sta n d i n fo r
n o u n s w h e n it is c l e a r w h o i s bei n g ta l ked a bo u t . fo r exa m p l e ,
M y sister wasn't here yesterday S h e was a t school.

1 .1 Using s u bject pro n o u n s

Here a re t h e I ri s h s u bj ect p ro n o u n s:
 PRONOUNS 23

Singular Meaning Pl u ra l Meaning

me I muid/sinn we
tu you sibh you
he
se
it ( m a s c u l i n e)
siad they
she
si
it(fe m i n i n e)

Chonaic me an gasur sin. I saw that boy

Beidh fil anseo amcirach. She will be h ere tomorrow.

Druideann siad an geata They close the gate every day a t

gach lei ar a se a ch log. 6 o'c /ocl<.

1.2 S u bject pro n o u n s i n synthetic forms

W h e n t h e s u bject p ro n o u n i s i n c o r p o rated i n to the verb a n d a p pe a rs as

o n e wo rd t h i s is ca l l ed a sy n t h et i c fo rm .

Ithim I eat

Cheannaiomar We boug h t

Deanfaimid We s h a l l m a l<e

¢ Fo r m o re i nfo rmati o n o n t h e e n d i n g s we s h o u l d a d d to verbs

w h i c h i n c l u d e the s u bject p ro n o u n , see c h a pter s o n Ve r b s .

1.3 s e a n d s f mea n i n g 'it'

I n E n g l i s h we g e n e ra l ly refe r to t h i n g s ( s u c h as car, pen , cup) o n l y as it

I n I ri s h , se ( m ea n i n g he, it) a n d sf ( m ea n i n g she. it) a re u sed to ta l k
a bo u t n o u n s . We u s e se fo r mascu l i n e n o u n s a n d sf fo r fem i n i n e
nouns.
24 PRONOU NS

An peann i s a m a s c u l i n e n o u n :

Tei a n peann a r a n tabla. The pen is o n the ta ble.

Tei se ar an tabla. It is on the table.

An leabharlann is a fe m i n i n e n o u n :

Tei an leabharlann thall ansin. The libra ry is over there.

Tei sf thall ansin. I t is over there.

<> Fo r m o re i nfo rmati o n o n m a s c u l i n e a n d fe m i n i n e n o u n s ,

s e e c h a pter 2 o n N o u n s.

1.4 E m ph atic forms of s u bject pro n o u n s

In E n g l i s h, to e m p h a s i se wo rd s , we t e n d to ra i s e our vo i c e H E isn't
to blame. I n Iri s h we d o not d o t h i s . I n stead we u s e s pe c i a l e m p h a t i c
fo r m s of t h e s u bj ect p ro n o u n s .

He re a re t h e e m p h a t i c s u bj ect p ro n o u n s i n I r i s h :

Singular Meaning Pl u ra l Meaning

mise I muidne/sinne we
tusa you sibhse you
he
seisean
it ( m a s c u l i n e)
siadsan they
she
sfse
it (fe m i n i ne)
 PRONOU NS 25

KEV POINTS

V' T h e I ri s h s u bj e c t p ro n o u n s a re me, tu, se, sf i n t h e s i n g u l a r,

a n d muid/sinn, sibh, siad i n t h e p l u ra l .
V' S u bj ect p ro n o u n s c a n a p pea r a s pa rt o f t h e ve r b .
V' s e a n d s f a re u se d fo r it, d e p e n d i n g o n w h e t h e r t h e n o u n i s
m a s c u l i n e o r fe m i n i n e .
26 PRONOU NS

2 Personal pronouns: direct object

What is a d i rect object pro n o u n ?

A d i rect object p ronoun i s a w o rd s u c h a s me, him, us a n d them ,
w h i c h i s u sed i n stead of t h e n o u n to sta n d i n fo r t h e person o r
t h i n g m o st d i rectly affected b y t h e acti o n e x p ressed b y t h e ve r b .

2 .1 U s i n g d i rect object pro n o u n s

> D i rect o bj ect p ro n o u n s sta n d in fo r n o u n s when i t i s c l ea r w h o or

w h a t i s b e i n g ta l ked a bo u t , and save h av i n g to re peat the n o u n

I will n o t see the boys Will you see them ?

Did you see that m a n ? No, I didn't see h i m .

> He re a re t h e I ri s h d i rect o bj ect p ro n o u n s :

Singular Meaning Pl u ra l Meaning

me me muid/sinn us
thu you sibh you
him
e
it
iad them
her
f
it

Chonaic Mairead thu. M a i read saw ¥Q!L.

iosfaimid iad. We'll eat them .

Spreagann m'athair me. M y father inspires me.

 PRONOUNS 27

2 . 2 e a n d f meaning 'it'

I n E n g l i s h we g e n e ra l l y refe r to t h i n g s ( s u c h as car. pen , cup) o n ly as it

I n I ri s h , e ( m ea n i n g h i m , it) a n d f ( m ea n i n g h er, it) a re u sed to ta l k a bo u t
n o u n s . We u s e e fo r masc u l i n e n o u n s a n d f fo r fem i n i n e n o u n s .

An cupan i s a m a s c u l i n e n o u n :

Bhris Rhiannon a n cupan. R h i a n n o n broke the cup.

Bhris Rhiannon e.. R h i a n n o n broke it.

An phictiurlann is a fe m i n i n e n o u n

Oscl6idh a n Wachtaran The President will open the cinem a .

an phictiurlann.

Oscl6idh an Wachtaran f. The President w i l l open it.

� Fo r m o re i nfo r m a t i o n o n m a s c u l i n e a n d fe m i n i n e n o u n s , see
c h a pter 2 on N o u n s .

2 .3 E m phatic forms of object pro n o u n s

In E n g l i s h , to e m p h a s i se wo rd s , we te n d to ra i s e our v o i c e I like H IM ,
but not H E R . I n I ri s h we d o n o t d o t h i s. I n stead we u s e e m p h a t i c fo r m s
of t h e o bj ect p ro n o u n s.

T h e e m p h a t i c fo r m i n Iri s h :

Singular Meaning Pl u ral Meaning

mise me muidne/sinne us
thusa you sibhse you
him
eisean
it ( m a sc u l i n e)
iadsan them
her
ise
it (fe m i n i n e)
28 PRONOUNS

KEV POINTS

t/ T h e I ri s h d i rect o bj ect p ro n o u n s a re me, thu, e, f i n t h e

s i n g u l a r. a n d muid/sinn, sibh, iod i n t h e p l u ra l .
t/ e a n d f a re u se d fo r it, d e p e n d i n g o n w h e t h e r t h e n o u n i s
m a s c u l i n e o r fe m i n i n e .
 PRONOU NS 29

3 Prepositional pronouns

What is a prepositional pro n o u n ?

A prepositional pronoun i s a p re p o s i t i o n , such a s on , with , to,
co m b i n e d w i t h a p ro n o u n . In E n g l i s h , this i s ve ry stra i g h tfo rwa rd
we s i m p l y say, on me, with h i m , to them , etc .

> U n l i ke i n E n g l i s h , p re po s i t i o n a l p ro n o u n s a p pe a r i n I ri s h as o n e wo rd .
I f we wa n t to say, fo r exa m p l e , with me, we d o n o t say le with + me
me, b u t i n stead we u s e a synthetic fo rm : liom with me.

>- He re a re t h e I ri s h p re p o s i t i o n a l p ro n o u n s

Pre p . me you him her us you them

a g at agam agat aige aici againn agaibh acu
ar on orm ort air uirthi orainn oraibh orthu
as
asam asat as aisti asainn asaibh astu
out of
chuig
chugam chugat chuige chuici chugainn chugaibh chucu
to
de
dfom dfot de di dfnn dfbh dfobh
from
do to dom du it d6 di diiinn daoibh d6ibh
faoi
fiim fut faoi fiiithi fiiinn fiiibh fiithu
under
i in ionam ion at ann inti ionainn ionaibh iontu
le with liom I eat leis lei I inn libh leo
6 from uaim uait uaidh uaithi uainn uaibh uathu
roimh
romham romhat roimhe roimpi romhainn romhaibh rompu
before
 ( ADJECTIVES J
What is an adjective�
An adjective is a 'd escri b i n g ' wo rd u sed to g ive m o re i nfo rmati o n
a bo u t a n o u n o r p ro n o u n i n a s e n te n c e . fo r exa m p l e , big , sma l l ,
yellow.

1 Attributive adjectives and predicative adjectives

Loo k at t h e s e two s e n t e n c e s :

I . Ta an fear m 6 r a g an doras. The big m a n is at the door

I I . Ta an fear m6r. The man is big

• In the fi rst s e n t e n c e the a dj ective (mor) is l i n ked d i rectly to t h e

n o u n (fear) Th i s i s a n attri butive adjective

• I n t h e seco n d s e n t e n c e t h e a dj ective (mor) is l i n ked i n d i rectly to

the n o u n (fear) u s i n g a l i n ki n g verb (ta) . Th i s i s a predicative
adjective .

• W h e n a n a dj ective i s u sed d i rectly w i t h a n o u n , i . e . attri b u tively

(as in sentence 1 . ) , i t m u st a g ree w i t h t h e n o u n i n g e n d e r,
n u m be r a n d case

c::> For m o re i nfo rmati o n o n g e n d e r. n u m be r a n d case of n o u n s.

see c h a pter 2.

• When an a dj ective i s used i n d i rectly, i . e . p red i catively, with a

n o u n (as i n s e n t e n c e I I . ) , it d oes n't h ave to a g ree w i t h t h e n o u n
i n g e n d e r, n u m be r o r case.
 ADJ ECTIVES 31

1.1 Attri butive adjectives

• The attri b u tive a dj ective u s u a l l y c o m es after t h e n o u n in Iri s h .

• T h e attri b u tive a dj ective c h a n g es its fo rm d e p e n d i n g o n t h e

g e n d e r, n u m b e r o r c a s e o f t h e n o u n . Th i s m e a n s t h a t :

i. T h e a dj ective i s m a s c u l i n e if t h e n o u n i s m a s c u l i n e .

a n gasiir maith the good boy

2. The a dj ective is fe m i n i n e if the n o u n is fe m i n i n e .

a n ghirseach mhaith the good g i rl

3 The adj ective i s s i n g u l a r if t h e n o u n i s s i n g u l a r.

an fear m6r the big m a n

4 T h e a dj ective is p l u ra l if t h e n o u n i s p l u ra l .

n o gasiiir mhaithe the good boys

s. T h e a dj ective i s t h e d a tive case if t h e n o u n i s i n t h e d a t ive .

leis an (hear mh6r/ with the big m a n

leis an bhfear m6r

6 . T h e a dj ective i s i n t h e vocative c a s e if t h e n o u n i s i n t h e
vocative .

a bhean mhaith my g ood wom a n

7 The a dj ective i s i n t h e g e n itive case if t h e n o u n is i n t h e

g e n i t i ve.

hata an fhir mh6ir the big m a n 's hat

32 ADJECTIVES

1.2 S i n g u l a r attri butive adjectives in the common form

• If t h e n o u n is fem i n i n e t h e a dj ective t h a t g o e s w i t h it i s
a s p i rated w h e n poss i b l e .

a n bhialann mb_aith the n ice resta u ra n t

a n chos fhada the long foot

(lJ Vowe l s ca n n ever be a s p i rated a n d n e i t h e r ca n s o m e c o n s o n a n t s .

T h e fo l l ow i n g ca n not be a s p i rated h, j , k , I , n, q , r, v, w, x , y, z , sc,
sf, sm, sp, st, sv

• If t h e n o u n is masc u l i n e n ot h i n g is d o n e to t h e a dj ective .

an carr deas the n ice ca r

an teach costasach the expensive house

1.3 Pl u ra l attributive adjectives i n the com mon form

• The a dj ective is u s u a l l y m a d e p l u ra l by a d d i n g -a or -e to t h e e n d
o f t h e a dj ective

an buachaill m6r the big boy

na buachaillf m6rg the big boys

an ofche mhaith the good n ig h t

na ofcheanta maith� t h e g ood n ig h ts

www.allitebooks.com
 ADJ ECTIVES 33

Tip
-a i s added to adj ectives t h a t e nd i n a c o n s o n a n t p receded by
a, ti, o, 6, u o r u

-e i s added to adj ectives t h a t e n d i n a c o n s o n a n t p receded by

e, e, i or f

• I f t h e adj ective e nds i n -uil i t i s c h a n g ed to -ula to m a ke i t p l u ra l .

a n duine cairdiuil the friendly person

no daoine cairdiula the friendly people

• I f the adj ective e nds in -air i t i s c h a n g ed to -ra to m a ke i t p l u ra l .

a n scrudu deacair the difficult exa m

na scruduithe deacra the difficult exa ms

• T h e adj ective te (warm) c h a n g es to teo in t h e p l u ra l .

a n la tg the wa rm day

na laethanta teo the warm days

• T h e adj ective breti (fine) c h a n g es to bretitha i n t h e p l u ra l .

a n ofche bhreq the fine n ig h t

na hofcheanta bretitha t h e fine n ig h ts

• T h e adj ective tilainn (lovely) c h a n g es to tiille i n t h e p l u ra l .

a n cailfn tilainn t h e lovely g i rl na cailfnf tiille the lovely g i rls

[lJ T h e re a re s o m e adj ectives that lose a vowel w h e n t h ey beco m e

p l u ra l I t i s worth l e a rn i n g t h e m ost co m m o n o f t h ese b y h e a r t .
34 ADJECTIVES

Singular Pl u ral
aoibhinn pleasa n t aoibhne
bodhar deaf bodhra
daingean solid daingne
deacair difficult deacra
domhain deep doimhne
folamh empty folmha
Iseal low Isle
ltiidir strong ltiidre
milis sweet milse
ramhar fat ramhra
saibhir rich saibhre
sleamhain slippery sleamhna
socair q u iet socra
uasal noble uaisle

• Note t h a t t h e a dj ective is n o t u s u a l l y a s p i rated i n t h e p l u ra l .

a n bhean bheag the wee wom a n

na m n a beaga the wee women

• If t h e a dj ective c o m e s after a n o u n that e n d s in a slender

consonant in t h e p l u ra l , i . e . if t h e fi n a l c o n s o n a n t i s p receded
by i , i t m u st b e a s p i rated .

an fear m6r the big m a n

na fir ml!6ra the b i g men

 ADJ ECTIVES 35

1.4 Singular adjectives in the dative case

• T h e way the n o u n c h a n g e s in the d a tive case affects w h a t

h a p p e n s to t h e attri b u tive adj e ctive t h a t g oes with it

c::> See secti o n 3.2 of c h a pter 2 o n t h e u s e of n o u n s in t h e d a tive c a s e .

• I f t h e n o u n is eclipsed in t h e d a tive case t h e a dj ective takes t h e

c o m m o n fo r m s h ow n a b ove .

an fear m6r the big m a n

leis an bhfear m6r w i t h the big m a n

an bhean mh6r the big wom a n

leis an mbean mh6r with the big wom an

• I f t h e n o u n is a s pirated i n t h e d a tive case t h e a dj ective i s a l so

a s p i rated .

an fear m6r the big m a n

leis an fb.ear mh.6r w i t h the big m a n

an bhean mh6r the big wom a n

leis an b!J.ean mh.6r with the big wom a n

1.5 Pl u ra l attri butive adjectives i n t h e dative case

P l u ra l a dj ectives in t h e dative case a re the sa m e a s the co m m o n fo rm

p l u ra l s h ow n a bove .

na fir mJJ.6rq the big m en

leis na fir mJJ.6rq with the big men

na fuinneoga beagq the l ittle windows

ar na fuinneoga beagq on the little windows

36 ADJ ECTIVES

1.6 S i n g u l a r attri butive adjectives in the vocative case

Tep
Re m e m be r, t h e vocative case i s u sed w h e n a d d ress i n g s o m e o n e.

• Adj ectives i n t h e vocative case a re a s p i rated

a dh.uine cl1.6ir dea r m a n

a ph.obal db.ii fa ithfu l com m u n ity

• The e n d i n g of the a dj ective i s n't u s u a l l y c h a n g ed in the vocative

case

a Liam bheag wee Liam

a Bhr6nach dhil fa ithfu l B r6nach

• The e n d i n g s of G ro u p 1 n o u n s a re c h a n g ed i n t h e vocative case

and when t h i s h a p pe n s a n i i s i n se rted i n to t h e e n d i n g of s o m e
a dj e ct i ves e n d i n g i n a b road c o n s o n a n t.

a fhir mh6ir big m a n

a Sheain bhig little Sean

¢ See sect i o n 2.1 of c h a pte r 2 o n N o u n s fo r i nfo rmati o n o n

G ro u p i n o u n s .

Tep
Th i s i n se r t i o n of a n i b efo re t h e fi na l c o n s o n a n t a l so h a p p e n s to
some a dj e ct i ves in the g e n i t i ve s i n g u l a r. Fo r m o re i nfo rmati o n see
b e l ow.
 ADJ ECTIVES 37

1 .7 Pl u ra l adjectives in the vocative case

• Pl u ra l a dj ectives a re not a s p i rated in t h e vocative c a s e .

a dhaoine maithe good people

a fheara m6ra g reat men

• T h e e n d i n g s of the p l u ra l a dj e ctives take the same fo rm in the

.
vocative case a s t h ey d o in the co m m o n fo rm p l u ra l a s s h own
a bove .

na fir mhaith� the good m en

a fheara maith� good men

na mna beagg the small women

a mhna beagg small women

1.8 S i n g u l a r attributive adjectives i n the gen itive case

T h e beg i n n i n g a n d the e n d i n g of s i n g u l a r a dj ectives in the g e n itive case

d e p e n d o n w h e t h e r the n o u n t h ey d e s c ri be i s m a sc u l i n e o r fe m i n i n e .

� M ascu l i n e n o u n s

• A n a dj ective d e s c ri b i n g a m a s c u l i n e n o u n i s a s p i rated i n t h e
g e n itive case w h e n poss i b l e

a n fear m6r the big m a n

hata an fhir ml!6ir the h a t or the big m a n

an corr gasta the rast ca r

doras an chairr gl!asta the door or the rast car

38 ADJ ECTIVES

• If t h e a dj ective e n d s with a c o n s o n a n t p receded by a, a, o, 6, u

o r u , a n i i s u s u a l l y a d d ed to t h e g e n i tive case e n d i n g .

a n carr dMbh the black ca r

doras an chairr dhuibh the door of the black ca r

an rang m6r the big class

daltai an ranga mh6ir the students of the big class

• I f the a dj ective e n d s with a c o n s o n a n t p receded by e, e, i or i,

no c h a n g e i s u s u a l ly m a d e to t h e g e n itive case e n d i n g .

a n teach maith the good ho use

dfon an ti mhaith the roof of the good ho use

an gasur cailiUil the fa mous boy

ainm an ghasuir ch6iliuil the n a m e of the fa mous boy

• I f the a dj ective e n d s in -ach o r -each the e n d i n g c h a n g e s to -aigh

o r -igh in the g e n itive case .

an teach salach the dirty h ouse

dfon an ti shalaigh the roof of the dirty h ouse

an fear tuirseach the tired m a n

meanfach an fhir thuirsigh the yawn of the ti red m a n

• I f t h e a dj e ctive e n d s i n a vowe l t h e e n d i n g d oes n o t c h a n g e i n

t h e g e n i tive c a s e .

an fear cr6gg the bra ve m a n

mathair an fhir chr6gg the mother of the bra ve m a n

an rang fadg the long class

abhar an ranga fhadg the subject of the long class

 ADJ ECTIVES 39

Tlp
W h e n u sed w i t h m a s c u l i n e n o u n s , t h e e n d i n g of s o m e a dj e ctives
does not c h a n g e in the g e n i tive case . These can b e b ro k e n up i nto
t h ree g ro u p s .

1 . S o m e a dj ectives w i t h o n e syl l a b l e e n d i n g i n -ch o r -cht,

fo r exa m p l e :

caoch (blind) , fliuch (wet) , lach (friendly) , moch (ea rly) ,

nocht (na ked)

2. S o m e a dj ectives w i t h o n e syl l a b l e e n d i n g i n a d o u b l e c o n s o n a n t ,
fo r exa m p l e :

mall (slow) , corr (stra ng e) , cearr (wrong ) , gearr (short) ,

teann (tig h t)

3. T h e fo l l ow i n g a dj e ctives

cung (na rrow) , deas (n ice) , mear (fast) , searbh (bitter) ,

tiubh (thick) , trom (hea vy) , tur (dry)

� Fe m i n i n e n o u n s

• A n a dj ective d escri b i n g a fe m i n i n e n o u n i s n o t a s p i rated i n t h e

g e n itive case .

an bhean b!J.eag the wee wom a n

hata no mna Jllg e the wee woma n 's hat

an bhr6g mh.6r the big shoe

iall no br6ige moire the face of the big shoe

40 ADJ ECTIVES

• If t h e a dj ective e n d s in a slender consonant an -e is a d d e d to

the e n d in the g e n itive case

an ghirseach chiuin the q u iet g i rl

beal na girsi ciuin� the mouth of the q u iet g i rl

an bhean mhaith the good wom a n

teach na mnci maith� the h ouse of the g o o d wom a n

• I f t h e a dj ective e n d s i n a broad consonant a n i i s u s u a l l y a d d e d

before t h e c o n s o n a n t , w h i c h i s t h e n fo l l owed by -e.

an bhr6g mhQr the big shoe

iall na br6ige m6ir� the lace of the big shoe

an oiche fhugr the cold n ig h t

teocht na hoiche fuair� t h e temperature of the cold n ig h t

• W h e n t h e re i s a pa i r of vowe l s i n t h e m i d d l e o f a n a dj ective a
c h a n g e takes p l ac e :

ea -> ei

an scion ghear the s h a rp l<nife

cos na seine gfilre the handle of the sh arp l<n ife

ea -> ei

an bhr6g dheas the n ice shoe

iall na br6ige dfilse the lace of the n ice shoe

ea -> i

an bhean bh� the small wom a n

teach na mnci bige the h ouse of the small wom a n

 ADJ ECTIVES 41

ia -> ei

an bhr6g /ig_th the g rey shoe

iall no br6ige lt_ithe the lace of the g rey shoe

fo -> f

an ghrian fh[Qr the true sun

solos no greine fi_re the l ig h t of the true sun

io -> i

an bhean fhionn the blonde wom a n

gruaig no mna finne the h a i r of the blonde wom a n

iu -> i

an ofche fhliuch the wet n ig h t

lar no hofche fliche the m iddle o f t h e wet n ig h t

• I f t h e adj ective e n d s i n -uil i t c h a n g es to -ula i n t h e g e n itive c a s e .

an bhean cailiuil the fa mous wom a n

guth no mna cailiula the fa mous wom a n 's voice

an ghirseach speisiUil the interesting g i rl

caint na girsf speisiula the interesting g i rl's ta ll<

• I f t h e a dj e ctive e n d s i n -ach o r -each it c h a n g es to -af o r -f i n t h e

g e n itive case

an chos shalach the dirty foot

ionga na coise salgj the n a i l of the dirty foot

an lann dhfreach the stra ig h t blade

cos na lainne dfrf the handle of the stra ig h t blade

42 ADJ ECTIVES

• If t h e a dj ective e n d s in a vowe l it is not c h a n g ed in t h e g e n itive

case.

an bhean cha/mg_ the ca l m woma n

guth na mna ca/mg_ t h e voice of t h e ca l m women

an ghirseach chr6gg_ the bra ve g i rl

mathair na girsf cr6gg_ the mother of the bra ve g i rl

• T h e a dj ectives c6ir Uust) , deacair (difficu lt) a n d socair (qu iet) a re

c h a n g ed to c6ra , deacra a n d socra i n t h e g e n i tive c a s e .

1.9 P l u ra l attri butive adjectives i n the gen itive case

• A n a dj ective a d d e d to a p l u ra l n o u n is n ever a s p i rated or ec l i psed

in the g e n i t i ve case.

na fir bheaga the wee men

teach na bhfear beag the h ouse of the wee men

na h6caidf m6ra the big occasions

16thair na n-6caidf m6ra the ven ue of the big occasions

• T h e e n d i n g of an a dj ective a d d e d to a p l u ra l n o u n in the g e n itive

case d e p e n d s o n how t h e g e n i t i ve p l u ra l of t h e n o u n i s fo rmed .

• I f a n o u n's g e n i t i ve p l u ra l e n d i n g i s t h e sa m e a s t h a t of its
co m m o n fo rm s i n g u l a r, t h e a dj ective a l so takes the co m m o n
fo rm s i n g u l a r e n d i n g

a n gasur maith the good boy

maithreacha na ngasur the mothers of the g ood boys

maith
 ADJ ECTIVES 43

an bhrQg_ dheas the n ice s h oe

stfl no mbrQg_ deas the style of the n ice shoes

• If a n o u n's g e n itive p l u ra l e n d i n g is t h e s a m e a s t h a t of its

co m m o n fo rm p l u ra l , the a dj ective a l s o takes the c o m m o n fo rm
p l u ra l e n d i n g

n o daoine suimiula the in teresting people

rang no ndaoine suimiula the class of the in teresting people

no htiiteanna suimiula the interesting places

muintir no n-aiteanna the people of the interesting pla ces.

suimiula

i::::> See sect i o n 4 of c h a pter 2 o n N o u n s fo r m o re i nfo rmati o n o n t h e

e n d i n g of n o u n s i n t h e g e n itive
44 ADJECTIVES

2 Degrees of comparison of adjectives

What a re degrees of comparison ?

Deg rees of c o m pa ri s o n a re u sed w h e n w e c o m p a re o n e person
o r one t h i n g w i t h a n o t h e r u s i n g t h e c o m p a rative o r s u p e rl ative
A n o t h e r d e g ree of c o m p a r i s o n i s that of eq u a l i ty.

2 .1 The degree of equal ity

• T h e d e g ree of eq u a l i ty c o n c e r n s t h e s i m i l a rity betwe e n two

peo p l e or t h i n g s . I n I ri s h we u s e chomh ... le . . to t ra n s l ate
.

as ... as . . . in E n g l i s h .

Ta Maire chomh hog lg Sean. M a ry is as you ng as Sea n .

Ta mise chomh mor leatsa. I 'm as big as yo u

• N otice t h a t chomh o r le d o n't a s p i rate b u t t h ey a d d a n h- befo re

vowe l s .

2 . 2 The comparative

• T h e c o m p a rative is u se d w h e n we c o m p a re two n o u n s o r
p ro n o u n s . I n I ri s h , t h e w o rd nios a n d a s p ec i a l fo rm o f t h e
a dj e ctive a re u sed fo r t h i s .

T6 s e nfos fuaire inniu. I t is colder toda y

• na ca n be p l a ced after t h e a dj ective a n d t h i s i s t h e sa m e a s than

in E n g l i s h .

Ta Sean nios airde n a Pol. Sean is ta ller than P61

Ta buachail/f nios sportula Boys a re more sporty than g i rls

na cailfnf.
 ADJ ECTIVES 45

2.3 The su perl ative

• T h e s u p e rl ative is u sed to e m p h a s i ze o n e extre m e of a g ro u p

I n I ri s h , t h e w o rd i s a n d a s p e c i a l fo rm o f t h e adj ective a re u sed
fo r t h i s .

I s e a n miiinteoir i s fearr e. He is the best teacher

Is e Sean an duine is airde Sean is the ta llest person in the class.

sa rang.

2.4 Form i n g the comparative a n d su perl ative

• T h e fo r m s of t h e a dj ective u sed fo r t h e c o m p a rative a n d t h e

s u p e rl ative a re t h e sa m e .

• Th i s fo rm i s t h e sa m e a s t h e fo rm t h a t i s u sed i n t h e g e n itive
s i n g u l a r fe m i n i n e of a dj ectives a s s h ow n a bove .

• I f t h e a dj e ctive e n d s with a s l e n d e r c o n s o n a n t t h e co m pa rative

a n d t h e s u p e rl ative fo rms a re u s u a l l y fo rmed by a d d i n g -e to t h e
end .

Ta an cailfn ciiiin. The g i rl is q u iet

Ta an cailfn eile nfos ciiiine Th e other g irl is q u ieter than her

na f.

Ta Maire ait. M a ry is stra nge.

Is f Sfle an cailfn is aite. Sile is the stra ngest g i rl .

• I f t h e a dj ective e n d s i n a b road c o n s o n a n t t h e c o m p a rative a n d

s u p e rl ative fo r m s a re u s u a l ly fo rmed b y ad d i n g i befo re t h e
c o n s o n a n t a n d - e afte r i t .

Ta an /ti inniu fuar. Today is cold.

46 ADJ ECTIVES

Beidh an la amarach Tomorrow will be colder

nfos fuair�.

Ta Sean ard. Sean is ta l l .

Is e Pol an duine is airde. P61 is the ta l lest person .

II) W h e n t h e re i s a pa i r of vowe l s i n t h e m i d d l e of t h e a dj ective,

the sa m e c h a n g es take place a s a re l i sted o n page 40.

• If t h e a dj ective e n d s i n -iiil t h e e n d i n g is c h a n g ed to -iila to fo rm

the co m pa rative and the s u p e r l ative

Ta an bhean sin cailiiiil. Tha t wom a n is ra mous.

Ta an bhean eile nfos The other wom a n is more ra mous.

cailiiila.

Ta an ghirseach sin speisiiiil. Tha t g i rl is interesting .

Is i an ghirseach eile an The other g i rl is the most i nteresting

duine is speisiiila. person .

• I f t h e a dj ective e n d s i n -ach o r -each t h i s c h a n g es t o -ai o r - i i n

t h e c o m p a rative a n d t h e s u p e rl ative

Ta an chos chle salach . Th e lert root is dirty

Ta an chos dheas nfos salgj. The rig h t root is dirtier

Ta an line sin direach. Tha t line is stra ig h t

Is i an line eile an ceann The other line is t h e stra ig h test o n e

is dirf.

• I f t h e a dj ective e n d s i n a vowe l t h e re i s n o c h a n g e i n t h e
co m pa rative a n d t h e s u p e rl ative

Ta Maire ca/mg_. M a ry is ca l m .

Ta Sile nfos calmg_. Sile is ca lmer.

 ADJECTIVES 47

Ta Sean rug_. Sean is red-h a i red.

Is e Pol an duine is rug_. Pa u l is the most red-h a i red.

• I f the a dj ective e n d s in -air t h i s c h a n g es to -era in t h e

co m pa rative a n d t h e s u p e r l ative .

Ta an cheist seo deacair. Th is q uestion is dirficult.

Ta an cheist eile nfos deacra . Th e other q u estion is more dirficult

Ta an Sean socair. Sean is q u iet.

Is e Pol an duine is socra . Pol is the q u i etest perso n .

[l) T h e re a re s o m e a dj ectives t h a t h ave i rreg u l a r co m pa rative a n d

s u p e rl ative fo rm s . I t i s worth l e a rn i n g t h e m o st co m m o n o f t h e s e
by h e a r t .

Basic form Comparative Su perlative

beag nfos lu is lu
small smaller smal lest
brea nfos breatha is breatha
fine finer finest
doc ha nfos doichf is d6ichf
probable more probable most proba ble
fada nfos (aide is (aide
ta r ru rther ru rthest
furasta nfos fusa is fusa
easy easier easiest
ionuin nfos ansa is ansa
beloved more beloved most beloved
maith nfos fearr is fearr
g ood better best
m6r nfos mo is m6
big bigger biggest
48 ADJ ECTIVES

olc nfos measa is measa

bad worse worst
te nfos teo is teo
wa rm warmer wa rmest
 ADJECTIVES 49

3 The verbal adjective

What is a verbal adjective?

A ve rba l a dj ective is m a d e fro m a verb . It ca n be u sed e i t h e r a s a
n o r m a l a dj ective o r as a verb w i t h t h e h e l p of a n a u xi l i a ry verb .

3 .1 The verbal adjective as a normal adjective

• T h e ve r b a l a dj ective ca n be u sed both as an attri b u tive adj e ctive

a n d a s a p red i cative adj e ctive Loo k at these s e n te n ce s :

I . l s bean ph6sta I. She is a ma rried woma n

1 1 . Ta an bhean p6sta anois. The wom a n is ma rried now

• I n the fi rst s e n te n c e , the ve r b a l a dj ective (ph6sta) i s l i n ked

d i rectly to the n o u n (bean) , so i t i s acti n g a s a n attri b u tive
a dj ective .

• I n t h e seco n d s e n t e n c e . t h e verba l adj ective (p6sta) i s l i n ked

i n d i rect l y to t h e n o u n (bhean) u s i n g a l i n ki n g verb (ta)

• W h e n acti n g l i ke a n adj ective t h e verba l adj ective is s u bj ect to

t h e sa m e ru l es as d escri bed a b ove fo r oth e r n o r m a l a dj ectives .

3 . 2 The verba l adjective used with an auxiliary verb

• T h e ve rba l a dj ective ca n be u sed w i t h an a u x i l i a ry verb to

d escri be a verba l acti o n in the p e rfect t e n s e . Loo k at t h e s e
E n g l i s h sentences:

I . They have fin ished.

1 1 . H e had terr
50 ADJ ECTIVES

• To ex p ress t h i s te n s e in I ri s h t h e a u x i l i a ry verb bf is u sed w i t h t h e

ve rba l a dj ective .

I Ta siad crfochnaithe.
1 1 . Bhf se imithe.

• N ow l o o k at t h ese E n g l i s h s e n t e n c e s

1 1 1 . Sean has eaten the bread.

I V Pol had done the worl<.

• To t ra n s l ate t h ese structu res i n I ri s h , t h e a u x i l i a ry verb bf is u sed

w i t h the ve rba l adj e ctive and the p re p o s i t i o n ag

1 1 1 . Ta an t-aran ite ag Sean.

I V Bhfan obair deanta ag P61.

3.3 Form i n g the verba l adjective

• T h e verba l a dj ective is fo r m e d fro m t h e base fo rm of t h e ve r b .

T h e m ost co m m o n way of fo rm i n g t h e verba l a dj e ctive i s b y
a d d i n g -ta, -te, -tho o r -the . S o m et i m es -fa, - a o r - e i s a d d ed ,
b u t t h e s e a re n't a s c o m m o n .

• We ca n s p l i t verbs i n to t h ree g ro u p s a s reg a rd s t h e e n d i n g s

a d d ed t o t h e m t o fo rm t h e i r ve r b a l adj ective.

> G ro u p 1 : -ta, -te

• We u s u a l l y a d d -ta o r -te to verbs w h o s e base fo r m s e n d w i t h -d,

-n, -I, -s o r -ch. -ta is a d d e d to base fo r m s w i t h a b road e n d i n g
a n d -te i s a d d e d t o base fo r m s w i t h a s l e n d e r e n d i n g
 ADJ ECTIVES 51

Ending i n -d

Broad Slender
coimhead g u a rd -• coimheadtg_ usaid. use usaidtg
stad. stop ---> stadta ereid. bel ieve -> creidte

Ending i n -n

Broad Slender
dean do -> deanta seinn play ---> seinntg
dun close ---> dunta bain cut ---> bainte

Ending i n -/

Broad Slender
dfol sel l -> dfolta bu ail h it -• buailte
trial/ test -• trial/ta mill spoil ---> millte

E n d i n g in -s

Broad Slender
seas sta nd -> seasta bris brea k ---> bristg
leigheas c u re ---> leigheasta gluais move ---> gluaiste

E n d i n g in -ch

Broad Slender
t6ch dig ---> t6chta sroich reach ---> sroichte
croch h a ng ---> crochta ---------------------
52 ADJ ECTIVES

• I f t h e base fo rm of t h e verb e n d s in -th , we l ose t h ese l ette rs a n d

a d d -te.

Broad Slender
----------- - --------- caith throw ---> caitg
--- ---- -------------- ith eat ---> ite

• If it is a verb w i t h a s h o rt base fo rm (o n e syl l a b l e) e n d i n g i n -gh ,

w e l o s e t h e s e l etters a n d a d d -te.

Broad Slender

------- - ------------- 1eigh read ---. leite

--------------------- luaigh mention -> luaitg

� G ro u p 2: -tha, -the

• We usua l ly a d d th ese e n d i n g s to verbs whose base fo rms e n d with

-b, -c, -g, -m, -p o r -r. -tha is added to base fo rms with a b road e n d i n g
a n d -the i s a d d e d t o base fo rms with a s l e n d e r end i n g

Ending i n -b

Broad Slender
scuab brush -> scuabtha - ------------- - ------
liib bend - --> liibtha ---------------------

Ending in -c

Broad Slender

please explode -> pleasctha coisc ban -> coiscthe

 ADJECTIVES 53

nasc join -> nasctha str6ic tea r -> str6icthe

E n d i n g i n -g

Broad Sle nd er

leag /<noel< down -• leagtha lig let -> ligthe

fag lea ve -> fagtha tuig u n dersta nd -> tuigthe

E n d i n g i n -m

Broad Sl ender
cum m a l<e up -• cumtha foghlaim lea rn -> foghlamtha
cam bend -• camtha creim erode -• creimthe

[Z) S o m e ste m s , l i ke foghlaim , l ose t h e i befo re t h e fi na l c o n s o n a n t

w h e n fo rm i n g t h e verba l adj ective . S i nce t h i s i h a s b e e n l ost. it takes
t h e e n d i n g -tha beca u s e the stem now e n d s in a b road c o n s o n a n t .
A n o t h e r exa m p l e i s

dfolaim collect -• dfolamtha

E n d i n g i n -p

Broad Sle nd er

ceap appoint -• ceaptha scaip spread -• scaipthe

crap contract -> craptha teip fa il -• teipthe

54 ADJ ECTIVES

Ending in -r

Broad Slender
gearr cut -> gearrtha cuir put -> curtha
cior brush -> ciortha fair watch -> fairthe

[l] S o m e base fo r m s , l i ke cuir, l o s e t h e i befo re t h e fi n a l c o n s o n a n t

w h e n fo rm i n g t h e verba l a dj ective . S i n ce t h i s i h a s b e e n l ost. i t takes
the e n d i n g -tha beca u s e t h e stem now e n d s in a b road c o n s o n a n t .
A n o t h e r exa m p l e i s :

buair worry -> buartha

• If a verb with a l o n g base fo rm (two syl l a b l es) e n d s i n -aigh o r

-igh w e l o s e t h e -gh a n d a d d -the.

Broad Slender
ceannaigh buy -> ceannaithe eirigh get up -> eirithe
cludaigh cover -> cludaithe imigh leave -> imithe

• If t h e base fo rm of t h e verb e n d s i n -bh or -mh a n d is b road we

l o s e t h ese l ette rs a n d a d d -fa

Broad Slender

gabh g o -> gafg - -------------------

-

scriobh write -> scriofg ---------------------

• If t h e base fo rm of t h e verb e n d s i n -t we a d d -a or -e to t h e e n d .
-a is a d d e d to base fo rms w i t h a b road e n d i n g a n d -e i s a d d ed to
ste m s w i t h a s l e n d e r e n d i n g .
 ADJ ECTIVES 55

Broad Slender
cleacht pra ctise --> cleachtg_ loit spoil --> loitg
at swel l -> atg_ suigh sit --> suitg

[II I t i s worth l e a rn i n g t h e verba l a dj ective fo r m s fo r t h e i rreg u l a r verbs

by h e a rt .

Base form Verbal adjective

abair say raite

beir bea r beirthe

bf be bheith

clois hea r cloiste

dean do deanta

faigh get faighte

feic see feicthe

ite eat ite

tabhair g et tugtha

tar come tagtha

teigh go dulta
56 ADJ ECTIVES

4 Possessive adjectives

What is a possessive adjectivel

A possess ive a dj ective is an a dj ective u sed w i t h a n o u n to s h ow
o w n e rs h i p o r possess i o n .

• T h e possessive a dj ectives i n I ri s h a re mo, do, a ( m a sc u l i n e ) ,

a (fe m i n i n e) , ar, bhur, a ( p l u ra l ) . These c o r res p o n d to t h e E n g l i s h
possessive a dj ectives my, your, h i s , her, o u r , you r, their.

• T h e possess ive a dj ective m ay c h a n g e the n o u n that fo l l ows i t

The c h a n g es c a u s e d a re a s fo l l ows

> mo, do, a ( m a s c u l i n e)

• These a dj e ctives a s p i rate n o u n s b eg i n n i n g w i t h a c o n s o n a n t ,

if poss i b l e .

mo theach m y h ouse

do bhr6g you r shoe

a charr his ca r

• I f t h e n o u n b eg i n s w i t h a vowe l mo a n d do c h a n g e to m' a n d d':

a d o e s n ot c h a n g e . No c h a n g e is m a d e to t h e n o u n .

m'athair my father

d'ord6g you r th u m b

a aintfn h is a u n t
 ADJ ECTIVES 57

�a (fe m i n i ne)

• Th i s adj ective ca u ses n o c h a n g e to n o u n s beg i n n i n g w i t h a

c o n so n a n t .

a teach her ho use

a br6g her shoe

a carr her ca r

• If t h e n o u n beg i n s w i t h a vowe l a n h i s a d d e d befo re i t

a hathair her fa ther

a hord6g her th u m b

a haintin her a u n t

�ar, bhur, a

• These a dj ectives e c l i pse n o u n s beg i n n i n g w i t h a c o n s o n a n t ,

if poss i b l e

ar gcarranna o u r ca rs

bhur ngaolt a yo u r relations

a bp6caf their pockets

• If t h e n o u n beg i n s w i t h a vowe l a n n- is a d d ed befo re i t

ar n-athair o u r father

bhur n-oidf yo u r tutors

a n-infonacha their daughters

58 ADJECTIVES

KEV POINTS

V Adj ectives i n I ri s h c a n be e i t h e r attri b u t ive o r p red i cative .

V Attri b u tive a dj ectives m u st a g ree w i t h t h e n o u n t h ey a re
d e s c ri b i n g i n n u m be r a n d i n case .
V Adj ectives w h i c h a re fo r m e d fro m verbs a re k n own a s ve r b a l
a dj ectives .
 (VERBSJ
What is a verb?
A verb is a 'd o i n g · word w h i c h d e s c r i b e s w h a t s o m e o n e o r
s o m eth i n g d o e s , w h a t s o m e o n e o r s o m et h i n g i s , o r w h a t h a p p e n s
t o t h e m , fo r exa m p l e , ru n, cry, j u m p .

1 Overview o f verbs

• U n l i ke i n E n g l i s h , t h e verb c o m e s fi rst i n t h e s e n t e n c e i n I ri s h ,
w i t h t h e p e rso n , p l ace o r t h i n g ca rryi n g o u t t h e a ct i o n of t h e
v e r b fo l l ow i n g i t

I ra n

xme
Rith

• T h e base fo rm of t h e verb i s t h e o n e fo u n d i n t h e d i ct i o n a ry. I n

I ri s h t h i s fo rm i s a l so u sed a s t h e I m perative to g ive o rd e rs a n d
i n st r u cti o n s . 6 1 ( m ea n i n g t o dri n l<) , fo r exa m p l e , i s a l so t h e fo rm
we use to te l l s o m e o n e to d r i n k s o m et h i n g .

• A l l fo r m s o f reg u l a r ve rbs , i n a l l te nses , a re fo rmed fro m t h e base

fo rm of t h e verb .

• T h e re a re 11 i rreg u l a r verbs i n I ri s h w h i c h d o not fo l l ow t h e s a m e

pattern a s t h e o t h e r ve r b s .

• T h e tense of a verb i n d i cates t h e t i m e at w h i c h t h e a c t i o n

t o o k p l a ce I n I ri s h , t h e re i s t h e present (I ru n ) , t h e past (I ra n)
and the future (I will ru n ) .
T h e conditional mood ca n refe r t o t h e past , present o r futu re
(I would ru n/I would have run)
60 VERBS

• S o m eti m e s in I ri s h we h ave synthetic verb fo r m s . T h i s m ea n s

t h a t t h e v e r b , p e rso n a n d t e n s e a re e x p ressed a s o n e wo rd
ithim (I eat)

KEY POINTS

II' I ri s h verbs c o m e at t h e beg i n n i n g of t h e s e n t e n c e a n d a re

fo l l owed by a n o u n o r a p ro n o u n
II' T h e i m pe rative o f t h e verb a n d t h e base fo r m o f t h e verb a re
t h e s a m e i n I ri s h .
II' S o m eti m e s t h e p ro n o u n , w h e n i t i s fu ncti o n i n g a s t h e
s u bj ect o f t h e verb , ca n be i n co r p o rated i nto t h e fo rm o f t h e
ve r b , m a k i n g o n e w o rd .
II' T h e re a re 11 i rreg u l a r verbs i n I ri s h .
 VERBS 61

2 Categorizing verbs

As m e n t i o n e d a bove , verbs i n I ri s h a re categ o rized by t h e i r base

fo rm , w h i c h i s the fo rm s h ow n in the d i cti o n a ry. T h ey b e l o n g to t h e
fi rst conjugation ( b road o r s l e n d e r) . t h e second conj ugation
( b road or s l e n d e r) . or a re i rreg u l a r

2 .1 The fi rst conj u gation

• S i n g l e-sy l l a b l e verbs, l i ke bris (brea k) , mol (pra ise) a n d luigh (l ie) .

a n d verbs of m o re t h a n o n e syl l a b l e w h i c h e n d i n -ail a n d -ain ,
l i ke sabhtiil (save) , b e l o n g to t h i s c o nj u g a t i o n .

• T h e verb i s k n ow n a s broad i f t h e l a st vowel i s a , o, o r u

T h e verb i s k n o w n a s slender if t h e l a st vowe l i s i, except i n
t h e case o f verbs e n d i n g i n -ail a n d -ain . w h i c h a re broad .

Broad Slender
am hare look bris brea k
can sing bu ail h it
fag leave caill lose
caith wea r/th row/spend/
fas g row
smoke
(each look creid believe
foe pay eist listen
61 dri n k fill return
tog 1irt goid stea l
sabhail save lig let
marcail m a rk tuig u n dersta nd
taispeain show usaid use
62 VERBS

2.2 The seco nd conj u gation

• M ost verbs of m o re t h a n o n e syl l a b l e b e l o n g to t h i s c o nj u g a t i o n .

M ost o f t h e s e verbs e n d i n -igh , l i ke deisigh (repa i r) S o m e e n d i n
-ii, -ir a n d -is . l i ke ceangail (tie) , imir (play) a n d inis (tel l) .

• T h e verb i s k n ow n as broad if i t e n d s i n -aigh , a n d sl ender if i t

e n d s i n -igh I f i t e n d s i n -ail , i t i s broad , a n d if i t e n d s i n -il, -ir
a n d -is , it is slender.

Broad Slender
ardaigh ra ise aimsigh locate
athraigh change ceistigh q u estion
brostaigh rush coin nigh keep
cabhraigh h elp deisigh repa i r
ceannaigh buy dirigh stra ig h ten
diultaigh reruse eirigh get up
ealaigh esca pe imigh leave
mothaigh reel sfnigh sig n
tosaigh beg i n imir play
ceangail tie in is tell
 VERBS 63

3 The imperative

What is the i m perative?

The i m perative is t h e fo rm of t h e verb u sed to te l l s o m e o n e to d o
s o m et h i n g T h e b a s e fo rm o f t h e verb i s u sed fo r t h i s

Dun an doras! Shut the door!

Tog an leabhar! Pick up the book'

Eist leis an cheol! Listen to the m usic'

Cuir an ar an tabla. Put the pen on the table.

Scibhciil an madra! Save the dog !

Taispeciin dom an pictiiir. Show me the pictu re.

3 .1 Form i n g the imperative

(£] l f we wa n t to te l l m o re t h a n o n e person to do s o m et h i n g ,
we m u st a d d a n e n d i n g t o t h e base fo rm o f t h e ve r b . The e n d i n g
w e a d d d e p e n d s o n t h e c o nj u g a t i o n o f t h e ve rb , o r t h e s p e l l i n g of
its base fo rm .

� Fi rst conj u gation verbs

• If the l a st vowe l of the verb is broad (a, o or ii) , we a d d -aigi

Diinaigi an doras! S h u t the door'

(sa i d to m o re t h a n o n e p e rs o n )

T6gaigi na leabhair! Piel< up the books I

(sa i d to m o re t h a n o n e p e rs o n )
64 VERBS

• I f the l a st vowe l of the verb i s sl ender (i) . we add -igf

Eistigf leis an muinteoir! Listen to the teacher, children '

Cuirigf bhur lcJmha in airde! Put you r ha nds up, boys '

• If t h e verb e n d s i n -ail o r -ciin . we re m ove t h e l ette r i befo re

ad d i n g t h e e n d i n g

scibhciil (sa ve) --> scibhcilgjgi

Scibhcilaigf bhur gcuid airgid, Sa ve you r money, my friends I

a chaired!

taispeciin (show) --> taispecingjgi

Taispecinaigf dom bhur gcuid Show me you r work, g irls '

oibre, a chailfnf!

• W i t h verbs s u c h as teigh (hea t) o r d6igh (burn ) , we m u st re m ove

t h e -igh befo re a d d i n g -igf to t h e e n d i n g

teigh (hea t) -. teigi

Teigi bhur dtithe le Heat you r houses with electricity'

leictreachas!

d6igh (b urn) --> d6igi

D6igf an bruscar seo, a fheara! B u rn this ru bbish, men!

B road Slender

amharcaigf loo/< brisigf brea k

canaigf sing buailigf h it

fcigaigf leave cailligf lose

 VERBS 65

fcisaigf g row caithigf wea r/th row/spen d/smoke

feachaigf look creidigf believe

focaigf pay eistigf l isten

61aigf dri n k filligf retu rn

t6gaigf lift goidigf stea l

scibhcilaigf save ligigf let

marccilaigf m a rk tuigigf understa nd

taispecinaigf show usciidigf use

�Second conjugation verbs

• I f t h e verb e n d s i n -igh , we c h a n g e the -igh to -fgf

ceannaigh (buy) -> ceannafgf

Ceannaigf milseciin, a thaiscf! B u y sweets, my dea rs '

eirigh (get up) -> eirigi

Eirigf go luath amcirach, Get up ea rly tomorrow, children '

a phciistf!

• If t h e verb h a s m o re t h a n o n e syl l a b l e a n d i s b road ( e n d s i n -ail,

-ain or -ais) , we re m ove t h e -ai a n d a d d -afgf

ceangail (tie) -> ceanglgjgi

Ceanglaigf bhur mbr6ga Tie you r shoes properly, boys!

mar is ceart, a bhuachaillf!
66 VERBS

oscail (open) -> osclgjgi

Osclaigi bhur leabhair, Open you r books, g i rls'

a chailini!

• I f t h e verb h a s m o re than one syl l a b l e and i s s l e n d e r (e n d s in -il,

-in or -is) , we re m ove t h e -i a n d a d d -igi

imir (play) -> imrigi

lmrigi go deas, a phciisti! Play n icely, children '

inis (tell) -> insigi

lnsigi an fhirinne, a thaisci! Tell me the truth, dea rs '

Broad Slender
ardaigi ra ise aimsigi locate
athraigi change ceistigi q u estion
brostaigi rush coinnigi keep
cabhraigi h elp deisigi repair
ceannaigi buy dirigi stra ig h ten
diultaigi refuse eirigi get up
ealaigi escape imigi leave
mothaigi feel sinigi sig n
tosaigi beg i n imrigi play
ceanglaigi tie insigi tell

3 . 2 The negative of the i m perative

• To te l l s o m e o n e n o t to do s o m et h i n g a l l we h ave to do is to p u t
n a befo re t h e i m p e rative , w h e t h e r i t i s s i n g u l a r o r p l u ra l .
 VERBS 67

Na caith an liathr6id, Don't throw the footba ll, M ichael '

a Mhicheail.

Na caithigi briiscar, a phtiisti. Don't th row ru bbish, children '

• If t h e verb beg i n s w i t h a vowe l , we m u st p l a ce h at t h e

beg i n n i n g o f t h i s v e r b after t h e n e g ative no

Na h61 an t-uisce sin! Don't dri n k the water!

Na himrfgf peil ar an mb6thar! Don't play footba ll on the road!

3.3 I rreg u l a r verbs

T h e re a re 11 i rreg u l a r verbs i n I ri s h . These a re verbs t h a t d o n't

fo l l ow the sa m e patte r n s a s t h e o t h e r ve r b s .

Base form/i m perative Pl u ral i m perative

bf be bigi
tar come tagaigi
teigh go teigf
feic see feicigi
cluin/clois h ea r cluinigf/cloisigf
abair say abraigi
dean do/m a ke deanaigf
beir g ra b beirigi
faigh get faighigf
tabhair g i ve tugaigi
ith eat ithigi
68 VERBS

4 The past tense

What is the past tense?

The past tense in I ri s h is the verb t e n s e we use to ta l k a b o u t
c o m p l eted acti o n s i n t h e past, fo r exa m p l e , I ra n h o m e yesterday.

4 .1 Form i n g the past tense

�Th e re a re fo u r m a i n ways in w h i c h we c h a n g e t h e base fo rm of t h e

verb i n I ri s h i n o rd e r t o fo rm t h e past t e n s e

i . Aspi rate t h e i n i t i a l l ette r of t h e v e r b .

2. M a ke no c h a n g e to t h e i n i ti a l l ette r o f t h e ve r b .
3 P l a c e d' i n fro n t o f t h e i n it i a l l ette r o f t h e ve r b .
4 P l a c e d' i n fro n t of t h e i n i t i a l l ette r of t h e ve r b , a n d a l s o aspirate .

� We t h e n s i m p l y a d d t h e s u bject of t h e verb - t h e p e rs o n o r t h i n g
ca rryi n g o u t t h e acti o n i n t h e verb . I n I ri s h , t h e s e a re

me I
tu you ( s i n g u l a r)
se he
sf she
amar1/eamar2/afomar3/ fomar4 o r m uid we'''
sibh you ( p l u ra l )
siad they

1 F i rst C o nj u g a t i o n B ro a d - we a d d t h e s e fo r m s to t h e e n d of t h e v e r b
2 F i rst C o nj u g a t i o n S l e n d e r - we a d d t h e s e fo r m s to t h e e n d of t h e v e r b

J Seco n d C o nj u g a t i o n B ro a d - we a d d t h e s e fo r m s to t h e e n d of t h e v e r b

4 Seco n d C o nj u g a t i o n S l e n d e r - we a d d t h e s e fo r m s to t h e e n d of t h e v e r b

T h e fo rm of 'we' w h i c h we choose d e p e n d s o n t h e w h e t h e r the verb i s fi rst

 VERBS 69

o r s e c o n d c o nj u g a ti o n . If we u s e mu id we d o n't n e e d to wo rry a b o u t t h e
c o nj u gati o n u s e d . M uid i s u s u a l l y u sed i n U l st e r I ri s h .

>-Aspiratio n : I f t h e b a s e fo rm o f t h e verb beg i n s w i t h t h e l etters b , c, d,

g, m, p, s, t, we a s p i rate to fo rm t h e past te n s e .

Base form Past tense

bris brea k Bllris me na rialacha. I broke the rules.
can sing Chan se an t-amhran. H e sa ng the song .
dun close Dillin sf an doras. She closed the door
Glloid an gasur an t-airgead.
goid stea l
The boy stole the money
mo/ pra ise Milo/ se an gasur. H e pra ised the boy
p6g kiss PJ16g se an cailin. He kissed the g i rl
siUil wa lk SlliUil me abhaile. I wa lked home.
tog lift Tl16g me an leabhar. I picked up the book.

>- N o change: T h e re a re c e rta i n l ette rs and c o m b i nati o n s of l etters at

t h e beg i n n i n g of verbs w h i c h ca n n ot be a s p i rated in t h e past te n s e .
T h e s e a re / , n, r. sc, sm, sp, st.

Base form Past tense

las l ig h t Las m e an tine. 1 lit the f1re.
nigh wash Nigh me mo ltimha. I washed my hands.
rith ru n Rith siad abhaile. Th ey ra n home.
scriobh write Scriobh sf litir. She wrote a letter
smaoinigh Smaoiniomar ar an la.
th i nk We thoug h t a bo u t the day
spreag inspire Spreag an scannan me. The (J i m inspired me.
Stad siad laithreach.
stad stop
They stopped straight away
70 VERBS

> I f the stem of the verb beg i n s with a vowel (a/a, e/e, i/i, o/6, u/u) ,
we p l a c e d' i n fro n t of t h e verb

Base form Past tense

om hare watch D'omhorc me. I watched.
eist l isten D'eist siad. They l istened.
ith eat D'itheomor on din near. We a te the din ner
61 dri n k D'61 t u cupan toe. You dra n k a cup o(tea .
ullmhoigh D'ullmhoigh sf on dinneor.
prepare She prepa red the din ner

> I f the ste m of the verb beg i n s with the l ette r f, we both a s p i rate a n d
p l a c e d' i n fro n t o f t h e verb

Base form Past tense

fan wa it J2'fhon me. I wa ited .
fag leave J2'fhag siad. Th ey 1ert
fill retu rn J2'fhilleomor. We retu rned.

4.2 Aski n g a n d a n sweri ng q u estions with verbs i n the

past tense

>To ask q u esti o n s in the past t e n s e , we p u t or befo re the past t e n s e

ve rb

Bhris se on fhuinneog. He broke the window

Ar bhris se on fhuinneog ? Did he brea k the window?

 VERBS 71

> I f t h e verb h a s a d' i n fro n t of it i n t h e past te n s e . we d ro p t h e

d' w h e n a s k i n g q u esti o n s

D'61 s i barraiocht. She dra n k too much .

Ar 61 si barraiocht? Did she dri n k too m uch ?

>To fo rm t h e n e g ative i n t h e past t e n s e , we p u t nior befo re t h e past

tense ve r b :

Bhris s e an fhuinneog. H e broke the window

Nior bhris se an fhuinneog. H e didn't brea k the window

> I f the verb has a d' in fro n t of it in the past te n s e , we d ro p the d' w h e n
a n sweri n g i n t h e n eg a t ive

D'61 se. (Yes, ) he dra n k .

Nior 61 se. (No,) h e didn't d ri n k

Tq:>
T h e re a re n o w o r d s fo r Yes a n d N o i n I ri s h . I n stea d , w e a n swer by
u s i n g t h e verb i n t h e q u esti o n . I n E n g l i s h , t h i s wo u l d be t h e s a m e
a s sayi n g :

Q u esti o n Did you eat you r brea krast?

A n swe r I a te/I did not eat.

4 . 3 I rreg u l a r verbs i n the past tense

> S o m e i rreg u l a r verbs c h a n g e c o n s i d e ra b l y in the past te n s e ,

beco m i n g very u n l i ke t h e b a s e fo rm o f t h e verb . Lu c k i l y t h e re a re o n l y
11 of t h e m 1
72 VERBS

Past tense Negative Question

bhf me
nf raibh me an raibh me
I was
bhf tu
nf raibh tu an raibh tu
yo u were
bhfse
nf raibh se an raibh se
he was
bf bhf sf
nf raibh sf an raibh sf
be s h e was
bhfomar/bhf muid nf rabhamar/ an rabhamar/
we were raibh muid raibh muid
bhf sibh
nf raibh sibh an raibh sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) were
bhf siad
nf raibh siad an raibh siad
they were
thtiinig me
nfor thainig me ar thainig me
I ca me
thtiinig tu
nfor thtiinig tu ar thainig tu
you ca m e
thainig se
nfor thainig se ar thtiinig se
h e ca m e
thtiinig sf
tar nfor thtiinig sf ar thtiinig sf
she ca m e
come
thtingamarj
nfor thtingamarj ar thtingamar/
thainig muid
thtiinig muid thainig muid
we ca m e
thtiinig sibh
nfor thainig sibh ar thainig sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) ca m e
thtiinig siad ar thainig siad
nfor thtiinig siad
they ca m e
 VERBS 73

Past tense Negative Q uestion

chuaigh me
ni dheachaigh me an ndeachaigh me
I wen t
chuaigh tu
ni dheachaigh tu an ndeachaigh tu
you went
chuaigh se
ni dheachaigh se an ndeachaigh se
he went
chuaigh si
teigh ni dheachaigh si an ndeachaigh sf
she wen t
go
chuamar/ nf dheachamar/ an ndeachamar/
chuaigh muid nf dheachaigh an ndeachaigh
we went mu id mu id
chuaigh sibh nf dheachaigh an ndeachaigh
you ( p l u ra l ) wen t sibh sibh
chuaigh siad nf dheachaigh an ndeachaigh
they went siad siad
chonaic me
nf fhaca me an bhfaca me
I saw
chonaic tu
nf fhaca tu an bhfaca tu
you saw
chonaic se
nf fhaca se an bhfaca se
he saw
chonaic sf
feic nf fhaca si an bhfaca sf
she saw
see
chonaiceamar/
nf fhacamar/ an bhfacamar/
chonaic muid
fhaca sibh bhfaca muid
we saw
chonaic sibh
nf fhaca sibh an bhfaca sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) saw
chonaic siad
nf fhaca siad an bhfaca siad
they saw
74 VERBS

Past tense Negative Q u estion

chuala me
nior chuala me ar chuala me
I heard
chuala tu
nior chuala tu ar chuala tu
you heard
chuala se
nior chuala se ar chuala se
he hea rd
chuala sf
clois nior chuala sf ar chuala sf
s h e h ea rd
h ea r
chualamar/
nior chualamarj or chualamar/
chuala muid
chuala muid chuala muid
we h ea rd
chuala sibh
nior chuala sibh or chuala sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) h ea rd
chuala siad
nior chua/a siad or chua/a siad
they heard
duirt me
nf duirt me an nduirt me
I said
duirt tu
nf duirt tu an nduirt tu
you said
duirt se
nf duirt se an nduirt se
he said
duirt sf
abair nf duirt sf an nduirt sf
she sa id
say
duramar/duirt
nf duramar/ an nduramar/
mu id
duirt muid nduirt muid
we said
duirt sibh
nf duirt sibh an nduirt sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) said
duirt siad
nf duirt siad an nduirt siad
they said
 VERBS 75

Past tense Negative Question

rinne me
nf dhearna me an ndearna me
I did/made
rinne tu
nf dhearna tu an ndearna tu
you did/made
rinne se
nf dhearna se an ndearna se
he did/m ade
rinne sf
dean nf dhearna sf an ndearna sf
she did/m ade
do/
m a ke rinneamar/
nf dhearnamar/ an ndearnamar/
rinne muid
dhearna muid ndearna muid
we did/made
rinne sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) did/ nf dhearna sibh an ndearna sibh
made
rinne siad
nf dhearna siad an ndearna siad
they did/made
rug me
nior rug me ar rug me
I g ra bbed

rug tu
nior rug tu ar rug tu
you g rab bed
rug se
nfor rug se ar rug se
h e g rab bed
rug sf
beir nfor rug sf ar rug sf
s h e g rab bed
g ra b
rugamar nior rugamar/ ar rugamar/
we g ra bbed rug muid rug muid
rug sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) nior rug sibh ar rug sibh
g rab bed
rug siad
nior rug siad ar rug siad
they g ra bbed
76 VERBS

Past tense Negative Question

fuair me
nf bhfuair me an bhfuair me
I got
fuair tu
nf bhfuair tu an bhfuair tu
you got
fuair se
nf bhfuair se an bhfuair se
he got
faigh fuair sf
nf bhfuair sf an bhfuair sf
get she got
fuaireamar nf bhfuaramarj an bhfuaramarj
we got bhfuair muid bhfuair muid
fuair sibh
nf bhfuair sibh an bhfuair sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) got
fuair siad
nf bhfuair siad an bhfuair siad
they got
thug me
nior thug me ar thug me
I gave
thug tu
nfor thug tu ar thug tu
you gave
thug se
nior thug se ar thug se
he gave
tabhair thug sf
nior thug sf ar thug sf
g ive she gave
thugamar nior thugamar/ ar thugamar/
we g ave thug muid thug muid
thug sibh
nior thug sibh ar thug sibh
yo u ( p l u ra l ) gave
thug siad
nior thug siad ar thug siad
they gave
 VERBS n

Past tense Negative Question

d'ith me
nior ith me ar ith me
I ate
d'ith tu
nior ith tu ar ith tu
you ate
d'ith se
nfor ith se ar ith se
he a te
ith d'ith sf
nfor ith sf ar ith sf
eat she a te
d'itheamar nior itheamar/ ar itheamar/
we a te ith muid ith muid
d'ith sibh
nior ith sibh ar ith sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) ate
d'ith siad
nior ith siad ar ith siad
they a te
78 VERBS

s The present tense

What is the present tense?

I n E n g l i s h the present tense is u sed to ta l k a b o u t w h a t i s true
at t h e m o m e n t , w h a t h a p pe n s reg u l a rly, and w h a t i s h a p p e n i n g
n ow

5 .1 The present h a bitu a l tense

• The p re s e n t h a b i t u a l t e n s e in I ri s h refe rs to activities t h a t

h a p p e n o n a reg u l a r basi s . I t d o e s n o t refe r to w h a t i s
h a p pe n i n g ri g h t n ow W e wi l l d e a l w i t h t h i s i n a later
sect i o n

• Li ke t h e ot h e r t e n s e s , t h e p re s e n t h a b i t u a l t e n s e i s fo r m e d fro m
t h e base fo rm of t h e ve rb . We a d d a n e n d i n g to t h e base fo rm ,
a n d t h e n t h e s u bj ect of t h e ve r b , if it i s a p ro n o u n

Bris B rea k Briseann tu You brea k

• W h e n d e c i d i n g w h a t e n d i n g to a d d to t h e verb, it i s i m p o rta n t
to k n ow w h e t h e r t h e verb i s fi rst c o nj u g a t i o n b road o r s l e n d e r,
o r seco n d c o nj u g ati o n b road o r s l e n d e r.

> Fi rst conjugation verbs

• If t h e l a st vowe l of t h e verb is broad (a, o or u) , we a d d

 VERBS 79

aim I
ann tu you
ann se he
ann sf she
aimid we
ann sibh you ( p l u ra l )
ann siad they

Dunaim an doras ma I open the door if I hear the bel l .

chluinim an clog.

Scriobhann sf litir uair sa mhf. She writes a letter once a month.

Olaimid tae go minic. We dri n k tea often

• If t h e l a st vowe l of t h e verb is sl ender (i) , we a d d

im I
eann tu you
eann se he
eann sf she
imid we
eann sibh you ( p l u ra l )
eann siad they

Eistim gach 16. I listen every day

Briseann siad na rialacha They brea k the ru les every day

gach 16.
80 VERBS

• I f the verb e n d s in -ail o r -ain , we re m ove the l ette r i befo re

ad d i n g t h e broad e n d i n g s

aim I
ann tu you
ann se he
ann sf she
aimid we
ann sibh you ( p l u ra l )
ann siad they

Taispeanaimid an scannan We often show the fi l m .

go minic.

� Second conjugation verbs

• I f t h e v e r b e n d s i n -aig h , w e re m ove t h e -aigh a n d a d d t h e

fo l l owi n g e n d i n g s :

aim I
afonn tu you
afonn se he
afonn sf she
almid we
afonn sibh you ( p l u ra l )
afonn siad they

Ceannalm bia gach 16. I buy food every day

Brostalonn siad abhaile Th ey h u rry home every evening .

gach ofche.
 VERBS 81

• If t h e verb e n d s i n -ig h, we re m ove t h e -igh a n d a d d t h e

fo l l owi n g e n d i n g s

fm I
fonn tu you
fonn se he
fonn sf she
fmid we
fonn sibh you ( p l u ra l )
fonn siad they

Eirfm go /uath ar maidin. I get up early in the morn i ng

Oibrfonn sf go dian. She works h a rd.

• I f t h e verb h a s m o re than one syl l a b l e and i s b road (ends in -ail,

-ain or -ais) , we re m ove the -ai a n d add the broad e n d i n g s

afm I
afonn tu you
afonn se . he
afonn sf she
afmid we
afonn sibh you ( p l u ra l )
afonn siad they

Ceanglafonn sf a br6ga gach She ties her sh oes every morning.

maidin.

Osclafmid na fuinneoga gach We open the windows every

trcithn6na. a rternoon.
82 VERBS

• I f the verb has m o re t h a n o n e syl l a b l e a n d is s l e n d e r (e n d s i n

-ii, -in o r -is) , w e re m ove t h e - i a n d a d d t h e slender e n d i n g s

fm I
fonn tu yo u
fonn se he
fo n n sf she
fmid we
fonn sibh you ( p l u ra l )
fonn siad they

lmrfm peil le mo chara. I play footba l l with my friend.

lnsfonn sf an sceal sin gach 16. She tells that story every day

5 . 2 Aski ng a n d a n swering q u estions with verbs i n the

present tense

�To ask q u esti o n s in the p rese n t te n s e , we put an befo re the p re s e n t

t e n s e ve r b , a n d eclipse t h e fi rst l ette r of t h e ve r b . Th i s m e a n s t h a t
w e p l ace a l ette r i n fro n t o f t h e i n i t i a l l ette r o f t h e ve r b . Ve rbs
beg i n n i n g with vowe l s are not e c l i psed

briseann se he brea ks an mbriseann se? does he brea k I

61ann siad they dri n k an 61aimid? do we dri n k l

�To a n swe r i n t h e n e g ative i n t h e p rese n t t e n s e , w e p u t nf befo re

t h e p rese n t t e n s e verb , a n d aspirate t h e fi rst l ette r of t h e verb .
T h i s m e a n s we p l a c e t h e l ette r h after t h e fi rst l ette r of t h e verb .
Nf d o e s n ot h i n g to w o rd s beg i n n i n g w i t h vowe l s

Diann siad. They dri n k .

An 61ann siad? Do they dri n k ?

Nf 61ann siad. (No,) they don't d ri n k .

www.allitebooks.com
 VERBS 83

5.3 I rreg u l a r verbs in the present tense

S o m e i rreg u l a r verbs c h a n g e in the p re s e n t te n s e .

Present
Negative Question
habitual
bim ni bhim an mbim
l am
bfonn tu ni bhionn tu an mbfonn tu
you a re
bfonn se ni bfonn se an mbfonn se
he is
bi bfonn sf ni bhfonn sf an mbfonn sf
be she is
bfmid nf bhfmid an mbfmid
we a re
bfonn sibh
nf bhfonn sibh an mbfonn sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) a re
bfonn siad
nf bhfonn siad an mbfonn siad
they a re
tagaim
nf thagaim an dtagaim
I come
tagann tu
nf thagann tu an dtagann tu
you come
tagann se
nf thagann se an dtagann se
he com es
tar tagann sf
nf thagann sf an dtagann sf
come she comes
tagaimid
nf thagaimid an dtagaimid
we com e
tagann sibh
nf thagann sibh an dtagann sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) com e
tagann siad
nf thagann siad an dtagann siad
they com e
84 VERBS

Present
Negative Question
habitual
teim
nf theim an dteim
I go
teann tu
nf theann tu an dteann tu
you go
teann se
nf theann se an dteann se
h e g oes
teigh teann sf
nf theann sf an dteann sf
go she goes
teimid
nf theimid an dteimid
we go
teann sibh
nf theann sibh an dteann sibh
yo u ( p l u ra l ) go
teann siad
nf theann siad an dteann siad
they go
feicim
ni fheicim an bhfeicim
I see
feiceann tu
nf fheiceann tu an bhfeiceann tu
you see
feiceann se
nf fheiceann se an bhfeiceann se
he sees
feic feiceann sf
nf fheiceann sf an bhfeiceann sf
see she sees
feicimid
nf fheicimid an bhfeicimid
we see
feiceann sibh
nf fheiceann sibh an bhfeiceann sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) see
feiceann siad
nf fheiceann siad an bhfeiceann siad
they see
 VERBS 85

Present
Negative Question
habitual
cloisim
nf chloisim an gcloisim
I h ea r
cloiseann tu
nf chloiseann tu an gcloiseann tu
you hea r
cloiseann se
nf chloiseann se an gcloiseann se
he h ea rs
clois cloiseann sf
nf chloiseann sf an gcloiseann sf
h ea r s h e hears
cloisimid
nf chloisimid an gcloisimid
we hea r
cloiseann sibh
nf chloiseann sibh an gcloiseann sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) hear
cloiseann siad
nf chloiseann siad an gcloiseann siad
they hear
deirim
nf deirim an ndeirim
/ say
deir tu
nf deir tu an ndeir tu
you say
deir se
nf deir se an ndeir se
he says
abair deir sf
nf deir sf an ndeir sf
say she says
deirimid
nf deirimid an ndeirimid
we say
deir sibh
nf deir sibh an ndeir sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) say
deir siad
nf deir siad an ndeir siad
they say
86 VERBS

Present
Negative Q u estion
habitual
deanaim
nf dheanaim an ndeanaim
f do/m a ke

deanann tu
nf dheanann tu an ndeanann tu
yo u do/m a ke
deanann se
nf dheanann se an ndeanann se
he does/ma kes
dean deanann sf
nf dheanann sf an ndeanann sf
do/ she does/m a kes
m a ke deanaimid
nf dheanaimid an ndeanaimid
we do/m a ke
deanann sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) do/ nf dheanann sibh an ndeanann sibh
m a ke
deanann siad
nf dheanann siad an ndeanann siad
they do/ma ke
beirim
nf bheirim an mbeirim
f g ra b

beireann tu
nf bheireann tu an mbeireann tu
you g ra b
beireann se
nf bheireann se an mbeireann se
he g ra bs
beir beireann sf
nf bheireann sf an mbeireann sf
g ra b s h e g ra bs
beirimid
nf bheirimid an mbeirimid
we g ra b
beireann sibh
nf bheireann sibh an mbeireann sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) g ra b
beireann siad
nf bheireann siad an mbeireann siad
they g ra b
 VERBS 87

Present
Negative Question
habitual
faighim
nf fhaighim an bhfaighim
I get
faigheann tu
nf fhaigheann tu an bhfaigheann tu
yo u get
faigheann se
nf fhaigheann se an bhfaigheann se
he gets
faigh faigheann sf
nf fhaigheann sf an bhfaigheann sf
get she gets
faighimid
nf fhaighimid an bhfaighimid
we get
faigheann sibh nf fhaigheann an bhfaigheann
you ( p l u ra l ) get sibh sibh
faigheann siad nf fhaigheann an bhfaigheann
they get siad siad
tug aim
nf thugaim an dtugaim
I g ive
tugann tu
nf thugann tu an dtugann tu
you g i ve
tugann se
nf thugann se an dtugann se
he g ives
tabhair tugann sf
nf thugann sf an dtugann sf
g i ve she g i ves
tugaimid
nf thugaimid an dtugaimid
we g ive
tugann sibh
nf thugann sibh an dtugann sibh
yo u ( p l u ra l ) g ive
tugann siad
nf thugann siad an dtugann siad
they g ive
88 VERBS

Present
Negative Q u estion
habitual
ithim
ni ithim an ithim
I eat
itheann tu
ni itheann tu an itheann tu
you eat
itheann se
ni itheann se an itheann se
he eats
ith itheann si
ni itheann si an itheann si
eat she eats
ithimid
ni ithimid an ithimid
we eat
itheann sibh
ni itheann sibh an itheann sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) eat
itheann siad
ni itheann siad an itheann siad
they ea t
 VERBS 89

6 The future tense

What is the future tense?

The fut u re tense is the verb t e n s e u sed to ta l k a bo u t s o m et h i n g
t h a t wi l l h a p p e n o r wi l l be tru e .

6 .1 Forming t h e fut u re tense

• Li ke the o t h e r t e n s e s , the futu re t e n s e is fo rmed fro m t h e base

fo rm of the ve r b . In t h i s tense. a s in t h e p re s e n t te n s e , we a d d
t h e e n d i n g to t h e b a s e fo rm b efo re w e a d d t h e s u bj ect o f t h e
ve r b , if i t i s a p ro n o u n .

• W h e n d e c i d i n g w h a t e n d i n g t o a d d t o t h e ve r b , i t i s i m p o rta n t
to k n ow w h e t h e r t h e verb i s fi rst c o nj u g a t i o n b road o r s l e n d e r,
o r seco n d c o nj u g a t i o n b road o r s l e n d e r.

¢ See sect i o n 2 o n p a g e G s

• Fi rst conj ugation verbs

• I f t h e l a st vowe l of t h e verb is broad (a, o or u), we a d d

faidh me I
faidh tu you
faidh se he
faidh sf she
faimid we
faidh sibh you ( p l u ra l )
faidh siad they
90 VERBS

Diin[aidh me an doras. I will open the door

Scrfobhfaidh sf litir. She will write a letter

6[aimid tae. We will dri n l< tea .

• If t h e last vowe l of t h e verb i s slender (i) , we a d d

fidh me I
fidh tii you
fidh se he
fidh sf she
fimid we
fidh sibh you ( p l u ra l )
fidh siad they

Eistfidh me gach 16. I will l isten every day

Brisfidh siad na rialacha They will brea l< the rules every day
gach 16.

• I f the verb e n d s in -ail or -ain , we re m ove the l ette r i befo re

a d d i n g t h e broad e n d i n g s

faidh me I
faidh tii you
faidh se he
faidh sf she
faimid we
faidh sibh you ( p l u ra l )
faidh siad they

Taispeanfaimid an scannan We will often show the fi l m .

go minic.
 VERBS 91

� Second conj ugation verbs

• If t h e verb e n d s i n -aig h, we re m ove t h e -aigh a n d a d d t h e

fo l l ow i n g broad e n d i n g s

6idh me I
oidh tu yo u
6idh se he
6idh sf she
6imid we
6idh sibh you ( p l u ra l )
6idh siad they

Ceann6idh me bia gach la. I will buy food every day

Brost6idh siad abhaile They will h u rry home every even ing .
gach ofche.

• If t h e verb e n d s i n -ig h, we re m ove t h e -igh a n d a d d t h e

fo l l ow i n g slender e n d i n g s

eoidh me I
eoidh tu you
eoidh se he
eoidh sf she
eoidh we
eoidh sibh you ( p l u ra l )
eoidh siad they

Eireoidh me go luath ar maidin. I will g et up early i n the morning.

Oibreoidh sf go dian. She will work h a rd .

92 VERBS

• If the verb has m o re t h a n o n e syl l a b l e a n d is b road ( e n d s in -ail,

-ain or -ais) , we re m ove t h e -ai a n d a d d t h e broad e n d i n g s

6idh me I
oidh tu you
6idh se he
6idh sf she
6imid we
6idh sibh you ( p l u ra l )
6idh siad they

Ceangl6idh sf a br6ga gach She will tie her sh oes every m orn ing
maidin.

Oscl6imid na fuinneoga gach We will open the windows every

trathn6na. a fternoon .

• If t h e verb h a s m o re t h a n o n e syl l a b l e a n d i s s l e n d e r ( e n d s i n
-ii, -in o r -is) , we re m ove t h e - i a n d a d d t h e slender e n d i n g s

eoidh me I
eoidh tu you
eoidh se he
eoidh sf she
eoidh we
eoidh sibh you ( p l u ra l )
eoidh siad they

lmreoidh me peil le mo chara. I will play footba ll with my friend.

lnseoidh sf an sceal sin gach la. She will tell that story every day
 VERBS 93

6 . 2 Asking a n d a n sweri ng q u estio ns

>-To a s k q u esti o n s in t h e futu re te n s e , we put an befo re t h e fu tu re

te n s e ve r b . a n d ec l i pse t h e fi rst l ette r of t h e ve r b . Ve rbs b eg i n n i n g
with vowe l s are not e e l i psed :

brisfidh se he will brea k an mbrisfidh se? w i l l he brea k ?

6/faidh siad they will dri n k a n 6/faidh siad? will they dri n k ?

>-To a n swe r i n t h e n e g ative i n t h e futu re te n s e , w e p u t nf befo re t h e

futu re t e n s e ve r b , a n d a s p i rate t h e fi rst l ette r of t h e ve r b . nf d o e s
n o t h i n g to word s beg i n n i n g with vowe l s

N f b!J.risfidh m e n a rialacha. I will not brea k the rules.

Nf 6/faidh me ag deoch sin. I will not dri n k that dri n k .

6 . 3 I rreg u l a r verbs i n t h e future tense

S o m e i rreg u l a r verbs c h a n g e in the futu re te n s e .

Present ha bitual Negative Question

beidh m e
nf bheidh me an mbeidh me
I will be
beidh tu
nf bheidh tu an mbeidh tu
you will be
beidh se
nf bheidh se an mbeidh se
he will be
bf beidh sf
nf bheidh sf an mbeidh sf
be she will be
beimid
nf bheimid an mbeimid
we will be
beidh sibh
nf bheidh sibh an mbeidh sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) will be
beidh siad
nf bheidh siad an mbeidh siad
they will be
94 VERBS

Present habitual Negative Q u estion

tiocfaidh me an dtiocfaidh
nf thiocfaidh me
I will come me
tiocfaidh tu
nf thiocfaidh tu an dtiocfaidh tu
you will com e
tiocfaidh se
n f thiocfaidh se an dtiocfaidh se
he will come
tiocfaidh sf
tar nf thiocfaidh sf an dtiocfaidh sf
she will come
come
tiocfaimid
nf thiocfaimid an dtiocfaimid
we will com e
tiocfaidh sibh
nf thiocfaidh an dtiocfaidh
you ( p l u ra l ) will
sibh sibh
come
tiocfaidh siad nf thiocfaidh an dtiocfaidh
they will come siad siad
rachaidh me
nf rachaidh me an rachaidh me
I will go
rachaidh tu
nf rachaidh tu an rachaidh tu
you will go
rachaidh se
nf rachaidh se an rachaidh se
he will go
teigh rachaidh sf
nf rachaidh sf an rachaidh sf
go she will do
rachaimid
nf rachaimid an rachaimid
we will go
rachaidh sibh
nf rachaidh sibh an rachaidh sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) will go
rachaidh siad
nf rachaidh siad an rachaidh siad
they will g o
 VERBS 95

Present habitual Negative Question

feicfidh me an bhfeicfidh
nf fheicfidh me
I will see me
feicfidh tu
nf fheicfidh tu an bhfeicfidh tu
you will see
feicfidh se
nf fheicfjdh se an bhfeicfidh se
he will see
feic feicfidh sf
nf fheicfjdh sf an bhfeicfidh sf
see she will see
feicfimid
nf fheicfimid an bhfeicfimid
we will see
feicfidh sibh an bhfeicfidh
nf fheicfidh sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) will see sibh
feicfidh siad an bhfeicfidh
nf fheicfidh siad
they will see siad
cloisfjdh me an gcloisfjdh
nf chloisfjdh me
I will hea r me
cloisfidh tu
nf chloisfidh tu an gcloisfidh tu
you will hear
cloisfjdh se
nf chloisfjdh se an gcloisfjdh se
he will h ea r
cloisfjdh sf
clois nf chloisfjdh sf an gcloisfjdh sf
s h e will hear
h ea r
cloisfjmid
nf chloisfjmid an gcloisfjmid
we will hear
cloisfjdh sibh
nf chloisfjdh an gcloisfjdh
you ( p l u ra l ) will
sibh sibh
hea r
cloisfjdh siad nf chloisfjdh an gcloisfjdh
they will h ea r siad siad
96 VERBS

Present habitual Negative Q uestion

dearfaidh me an ndearfaidh
nf dearfaidh me
I will say me
dearfaidh tu an ndearfaidh
nf dearfaidh tu
you will say tu
dearfaidh se an ndearfaidh
nf dearfaidh se
he will say se
abair dearfaidh sf
nf dearfaidh sf an ndearfaidh sf
say she will say
dearfaimid
nf dearfaimid an ndearfaimid
we will say
dearfaidh sibh nf dearfaidh an ndearfaidh
you ( p l u ra l ) will say sibh sibh
dearfaidh siad an ndearfaidh
nf dearfaidh
they will say siad
deanfaidh me nf dheanfaidh an ndeanfaidh
I will do/m a ke me me
deanfaidh tu an ndeanfaidh
nf dheanfaidh tu
yo u will do/m a ke tu
deanfaidh se an ndeanfaidh
nf dheanfaidh se
he will do/m a ke se
dean deanfaidh sf
nf dheanfaidh sf an ndeanfaidh sf
do/ she will do/m a ke
make deanfaimid
nf dheanfaimid an ndeanfaimid
we will do/m a ke
deanfaidh sibh
nf dheanfaidh an ndeanfaidh
you ( p l u ra l ) will do/
sibh sibh
m a ke
deanfaidh siad nf dheanfaidh an ndeanfaidh
they will do/m a ke siad siad
 VERBS 97

Present habitual Negative Question

bearfaidh me nf bhearfaidh an mbearfaidh
I will g ra b me me
bearfaidh tu an mbearfaidh
nf bhearfaidh tu
you will g ra b tu
bearfaidh se an mbearfaidh
nf bhearfaidh se
he will g ra b se
bearfaidh sf an mbearfaidh
beir nf bhearfaidh sf
she will g ra b sf
g ra b
bearfaimid
nf bhearfaimid an mbearfaimid
we will g ra b
bearfaidh sibh
nf bhearfaidh an mbearfaidh
you ( p l u ra l ) will
sibh sibh
g ra b
bearfaidh siad nf bhearfaidh an mbearfaidh
they will g ra b siad siad
gheobhaidh me nf bhfaighidh an bhfaighidh
I will get me me
gheobhaidh tu
nf bhfaighidh tu an bhfaighidh tu
you will g et
gheobhaidh se
nf bhfaighidh se an bhfaighidh se
he will get
faigh gheobhaidh sf
nf bhfaighidh sf an bhfaighidh sf
get she will get
gheobhaimid
nf bhfaighimid an bhfaighimid
we will get
gheobhaidh sibh nf bhfaighidh an bhfaighidh
you ( p l u ra l ) will get sibh sibh
gheobhaidh siad nf bhfaighidh an bhfaighidh
they will get siad siad
98 VERBS

Present habitual Negative Question

tabharfaidh me nf thabharfaidh an dtabharfaidh
I will g ive me me
tabharfaidh tu nf thabharfaidh an dtabharfaidh
you will g ive tu tu
tabharfaidh se nf thabharfaidh an dtabharfaidh
he will g ive se se
tabharfaidh sf nf thabharfaidh an dtabharfaidh
tabhair
she will give sf sf
g ive
tabharfaimid nf an
we will give thabharfaimid dtabharfaimid
tabharfaidh sibh
nf thabharfaidh an dtabharfaidh
you ( p l u ra l ) will
sibh sibh
g ive
tabharfaidh siad nf thabharfaidh an dtabharfaidh
they will g ive siad siad
fosfaidh me
nf iosfaidh me an iosfaidh me
I will eat
iosfaidh tu
nf iosfaidh tu an iosfaidh tu
you will eat
iosfaidh se
nf iosfaidh se an iosfaidh se
he will eat
ith fosfaidh sf
nf iosfaidh sf an fosfaidh sf
eat she will eat
iosfaimid
nf iosfaimid an iosfaimid
we will eat
iosfaidh sibh
nf iosfaidh sibh an iosfaidh sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) will ea t
iosfaidh siad
nf iosfaidh siad an iosfaidh siad
they will eat
( THE VERB ' TO BE' IN THE PRESENT TENSE J
An u n u s u a l a s pect of t h e verb to be i n I ri s h i s that it h a s two fo rms i n
t h e p resent te n s e , a habitual p resent, w h i c h i s u sed fo r eve nts that
h a p pe n reg u l a rly, and a n i m med iate p resent, w h i c h i s u se d fo r eve nts
that a re occu rri n g at the p re s e n t t i m e .

Loo k at t h e d iffe re n c e i n betwee n t h e fo l l ow i n g s e n t e n c e s :

a . Bionn s e fuar in Eirinn I t is cold in I rela n d i n the winter

sa gheimhreadh.
b. Ta se fuar in Eirinn inniu. It is cold in I reland today

S e n t e n c e ·a· states how the wea t h e r u s u a l ly i s , w h i l st s e n t e n c e 'b'

states h ow the weat h e r actu a l ly i s at t h e p re s e n t m o m e n t .

1 The habitual present tense of the verb 'to be'

Positive Negative Question

bfm
nf bhfm an mbfm
l am
bionn tu
nf bhionn tu an mbionn tu
you a re
bionn se
nf bhionn se an mbionn se
he is
bionn sf
nf bhionn sf an mbionn sf
she is
bfmid
nf bhfmid an mbfmid
we a re
bionn sibh
nf bhionn sibh an mbionn sibh
yo u ( p l u ra l ) a re
bionn siad
nf bhfonn siad an mbionn siad
they a re
100 THE VERB 'To BE' IN TH E PRESENT TENSE

Bfm sa teach sin gach seachtain. I am in that h o use every week.

Bfonn se anseo gach ofche Luain. H e is here every Monday n ig h t.

Nf bhfonn sf ar scoil go minic. She is not often at sch ool.

An mbfonn tu breoite go minic? A re you often i l l ?

Nf bhfonn siad i n Eirinn i n a m They a re n ever in I rela nd.

ar bith.

I n a l l these exa m p l e s , these a re reg u l a r eve n t s .

2 The immediate present tense of the verb 'to be'

Positive N egative Question

an bhfuil me/
ta me/taim l a m nfl me/nflim
bhfuilim
ta tu you a re nfl tu an bhfuil tu
ta se he is nfl se an bhfuil se
ta sf she is nfl sf an bhfuil sf
taimid we a re nflimid an bhfuilimd
ta sibh
nfl sibh an bhfuil sibh
you ( p l u ra l ) a re
ta siad they a re nfl siad an bhfuil siad

Ta me sa teach anois. I am in the ho use now.

Ta se anseo faoi lcJthair. He is h ere at presen t.

Nfl sf ar scoil ar maidin. She is not at school this morning.

An bhfuil tu breoite inniu? A re you ill today ?

Nfl siad i n Eirinn an mhf seo. They a ren't in I reland this month.
 (THE COPU LA J
What is the copula?
The copula is in I ri s h i s a k i n d of g ra m matica l eq u a l s s i g n . I t i s u sed
to e x p ress what a p e rso n or a t h i n g i s (e . g . john is a footba ller, they
a re teachers , M a ry is a you ng g i rl) I t i s u sed i n classification
sentences (he is a m a n ) , identification s e n te n ces (Carmel is the
lawyer) , and with the preposition le to ex p ress owne rs h i p . The
c o p u l a can be positive, n e g ative o r in q u esti o n fo rm , and ca n
a p pe a r i n t h e p re s e n t o r past te n s e .

Tip
W h e n c l a s s i fy i n g n o u n s i n I ri s h , s o m e l e a r n e rs u s e Td me (I a m )
+ n o u n . Th i s ca n n ot be d o n e , a n d i s a ve ry c o m m o n m i sta k e .
Td me, t d t u etc ca n o n l y b e fo l l owed by a n a dj ective , a n a cti o n
o r a p re p o s i t i o n :

Td m e ard. I a m ta l l .
Td t u a g obair. You a re working .
Td siad ar an urldr. They a re on the noor

1 Classification sentences

1.1 Overview

�These te l l or a s k what a p e rso n or t h i n g i s , or ex p ress a c l as s ifi cati o n :

I s fear Colm. Calm is a m a n .

I s duine ard thu. You a re a ta ll person .

I s polaiteoir cumasach e. He is a competent pol iticia n

102 TH E COPU LA

Is leabhar maith e sin. Tha t is a good book.

Is cailin deas f. She is a n ice g i rl .

> I n c l a s s i fi cati o n s e n t e n ces w e a l ways see t h e fo l l owi n g

• T h e s u bj ect Colm, thii, e, e sin a n d f a re t h e s u bj ects i n t h e

exa m p l es a bove .

• T h e p re d i cate t h e i nfo rmati o n g ive n a b o u t t h e s u bject: fear,

duine ard, polaiteoir cumasach, leabhar maith, cailfn deas a re t h e
p red i cates i n t h e exa m p l es a bove .

• The co p u l a : is, i n t h e exa m p l e s a bove .

>Th e fo l l ow i n g i s t h e n o rm a l word o rd e r of c l a s s i fi cati o n sente n c e s :

Copula Predicate S u bject Meaning

Is bean f. She is a woma n .
Lia m is a
Is peilead6ir Liam.
footba ller
muinteoir Thomas is a
Is Tomas.
maith good teacher
You a re a clever
Is gasur cliste thu.
boy
They a re g ood
Is dluthchairde iad.
friends
The principa l is a
Is duine deas an prfomhoide.
n ice person.

>At t i m e s . a l t h o u g h this i s n ot n ecessa ry, a p e rso n a l p ro n o u n i s p l a ced

in fro n t of t h e s u bject if t h e s u bj ect i s a d efi n ite n o u n
 TH E COPULA 103

Copula Predicate S u bject Meaning

N ewry is a
Is cathair alainn €. An tlur.
bea utifu l town .
ad Maire agus M d ire a n d Donal
Is ceolt6irf
Donal. a re m usicia ns.

i[,p
I f a n o u n i s one of t h e fo l l owi n g , it i s k n ow n a s a d efi n i t e :

(i) p e rs o n a l n a m es/p l a c e n a m es/n a m e s of c o u n t ri es/l a n g u a g e s :

Maire

Sean

Gleann an lo/air G l en u l f i n

Beal Feirste Belfast

An Fhrainc Fra n ce

An lodail Italy

An Ghaeilge I rish

An Spainnis Spa nish

(ii) n o u n s after t h e a rt i c l e :

an teach the house

na cailfnf the g i rls

( i i i ) n o u n s afte r possess ive a dj ectives

mo chara my friend

do shltiinte you r h ea lth

104 THE COPU LA

1 . 2 I nterrogative pro n o u n s in c lassification sentences

The i n te rrog ative p ro n o u n s cad, cad e, ceard a re u sed in the fo l l owi n g

c l a s s i fi cati o n s e n t e n ces Cad seo? Cad e seo? Ceard seo? ('Nhat i s this?);
Cad sin ? Cad e sin ? Ceard e sin ? ('Nha t is that?). Th e i r u s a g e d e p e n d s
l a rg e l y o n d i a l ect, w i t h U l ster I ri s h favo u ri n g cad e a n d M u n ster a n d
Co n na u g h t I ri s h favo u ri n g cad/ceard

Cad/cad e/ceard e sin ? Wha t is that?

Is gluaistecin m6r e. I t is a big car

Cad/cad e/ceard e seo? Wha t is this ?

Is n6ta deich bpunt e. I t is a ten pound note.

1.3 The negative form i n classification sentences

To fo rm the n e g ative, we c h a n g e is to nf. N ote that nf has no effect o n

t h e i n i t i a l l ette r o f t h e p red i cate i n c l assifi cat i o n s e n t e n c e s .

C o pul a Predicate S u bject Meaning

He is not a
Nf fiacl6ir e.
dentist.
That's not a
Nf guthcin maith e sin.
good phone
Sfle a n d P61 a re
Nf daoine deasa Pol agus Sfle.
not n ice people.
Chocolate is not
Nf bia slciintiuil seaclciid.
a h ea lthy food.
It is not a good
Nf lei deas e.
day
It is not a tasty
Nf ull blasta e.
apple.
 TH E COPU LA 105

1 . 4 The q u estion form i n cl assification sentences

To fo rm a q u esti o n , we c h a n g e is to an . N ote that an has no effect

on the i n i t i a l l ette r of the p red i cate in c l a s s i fi cati o n s e n te n ce s .

Copula Predicate S u bject Meaning

An fiac/6ir e? Is he a dentist ?
Is that a good
An guth6n maith e sin ?
phone?
Pol agus A re Sfle a n d P61
An daoine deasa
Sile? n ice people?
Is chocolate a
An bia slciintiuil seaclaid?
hea lthy food I
An lei deas e? Is it a n ice day1
Is it a tasty
An ull blasta e?
a pp/el

1.5 The negative q uestion form i n classification sentences

To fo rm a n e g ative q u esti o n , we c h a n g e is to nach . N ote that nach h a s

n o effect o n t h e i n i t i a l l ette r of t h e p red i cate i n c l a s s i fi cati o n s e n t e n ces .

Copula Predicate S u bject Meaning

Isn't it a
Nach seans iontach e? wonderfu l
opportun ity?
A ren 't you a good
Na ch gasur maith thu?
boy?
Isn't that a new
Na ch eitlean nua e sin ?
plane1
106 THE COPULA

A ren 't they

scealta
Nach iad? i n teresting
suimiula
stories ?
Isn't it a bori ng
Nach cltir leadrtinach e?
prog ra m m e ?
Isn't M icheal a
Nach cara maith M icheal ?
good rrien d ?

1.6 Reported speech i n positive classification sentences

Repo rted s p e e c h is w h e n we say s o m et h i n g l i ke "/ t h i n /< [tha t] he is a n ice

boy". I n E n g l i s h . t h i s is stra i g h tfo rwa rd , b u t i n I ri s h , t h e c o p u l a ta kes a
s p e c i a l fo rm a n d is c h a n g es to gur. Gur h a s n o effect o n t h e i n i t i a l l ette r
of t h e p red i cate i n c l a s s i fi cati o n s e n t e n c e s .

Sflim ... I t h i n /< ...

Copula Predicate S u bject Meaning

I t h i n /< [tha t] it is
Gur seans iontach e. a wonderru 1
opportun ity
I t h i n /< [that] you
Gur gasur maith thu.
a re a good boy
I t h i n /< [tha t) it is
Gur eitletin nua e sin.
a new plane.
I t h i n /< [tha t]
they a re
Gur scealta suimiula iad.
in teresting
stories.
I thin/< [tha t]
Gur cltir leadrtinach e. it is a boring
prog ra m me.
 TH E COPU LA 107

I t h i n /< [that]
Gur cara maith Micheal. M icheal is a
good friend.

1 .7 Reported speech i n negative classifi cation sentences

For t h i s we c h a n g e the n e g ative of the co p u l a ni to nach . Nach has n o

effect o n t h e i n i t i a l l ette r o f t h e p re d i cate .

Deirtear. . . It is said . .

Copula Predicate S u bject Meaning

It is said [tha t)
Nach rud cinnte e. it is not a
certa inty.
It is said [that)
polaiteoir she is not a
Na ch i.
iontaofa rel iable
politicia n .
108 THE COPULA

2 I dentification sentences

2 .1 Overview

> W h e n we te l l or a s k w h o a person or th i n g is or was we u s e a n

i d e ntificat i o n s e n t e n c e

I s mise an fear don phost. I am the m a n for the job.

Is e Obama an tUachtaran. Obama is the President.

Is f an bhean sin mo mhtithair. Tha t wom a n is my mother

> I n i d e ntifi cat i o n se n t ences we a l ways see the fo l l owi n g :

• The s u bject: a n fear, a n tUachtaran, m o mhtithair a re t h e s u bj ects

in the exa m p l e s a bove . N ote t h ey a re a l l d efi n ite n o u n s .

• The p red i cate : t h e i nfo rmat i o n g ive n a b o u t t h e s u bject: mise,

Obama, an bhean sin . Ag a i n , t h e p red i cate is a lways a d efi n ite
n o u n , w h i c h s e rves to i d e n tify t h e s u bject a s some part i c u l a r
p e rso n (Peadar, Maire, Eoghan) , p l a c e (An Fhrainc Fra nce,
An Spainn Spa i n , Meiricea A merica) o r a t h i n g (an tabla the ta ble,
an gluaistean the ca r) .

• T h e co p u l a : Is, i n t h e exa m p l es a b ove .

II) W h e n i d e n tifyi n g , we s o m eti m e s u s e e m p h atic fo rms of t h e

p ro n o u n s :

Pro n o u n Emphatic form

me mise
thu thusa
e eisean
f ise
 THE COPULA 109

sinn sinne
sibh sibhse
iad iadsan

>-The fo l l ow i n g i s t h e n o r m a l w o rd o rd e r of i d e n t i fi cati o n s e n t e n ces

Copula Pred icate S u bject Meaning

Sea n is the
Is e Sean an muinteoir.
teacher
Down a re the
Is eAn Dun na buaiteoiri.
winners.
Those men a re
Is iad na fir sin na gadaithe.
the th ieves.
an ceolt6ir is M a i read is the
Is iMairead
fearr. best m usicia n .
an cara is fearr Yo u a re my best
Is tusa
liom. friend

2.2 I nterrogative pro n o u n s i n identification senten ces

We n o rma l ly u s e ce (who) , fo l l owed by t h e a p p ro p riate p ro n o u n

ce me? Who a m / ?

ce thu? Who a re yo u i

ce he? Who i s h e ?
( refe rri n g to a m a s c u l i n e n o u n )

Ce h e a n muinteoir? Who is the teacher?

Ce hi? Who is she?

( refe rri n g to a fe m i n i n e n o u n )

Ce hi a n bhanaisteoir? Who is the a ctress ?

110 TH E COPU LA

Ce sin n ? W h o a re we i

ce sibh ? Who a re you ? ( p l u ra l )

ce hiad? Who a re they 1

Ce hiad na daoine sin ? Who a re those people?

2 . 3 The negative form i n identifi cation sentences

To fo rm the n egative, we c h a n g e is to nf. Nf p refi xes the l ette r h to t h e

p ro n o u n s e, ; a n d iad

Copula Predicate S u bject Meaning

Sea n isn't the
Nf ne sean an muinteoir.
teacher.
Down a ren't the
Nf lle An Dun na buaiteoirf.
winners.
Those men a ren't
Nf h_iad na fir sin na gadaithe.
the thieves.
an ceolt6ir is M a i read isn't the
Nf llf Mairead
fearr. best m usicia n .
an cara is fearr Yo u a ren't m y
Nf tusa
liom. best frien d .

2 . 4 T h e q u estio n form i n identification sentences

To fo rm the n egative, we c h a n g e is to an. N ote that an has no effect o n

t h e i n i t i a l l ette r o f t h e p red i cate i n i d e ntifi cati o n s e n t e n c e s .

C o pu l a Predicate S u bject Meaning

ts Colm the
An e Colm an t-udar?
author?
 TH E COPULA 111

ls A i n e the
An iAine an bhanaltra ?
n u rse ?
A re Seana a n d
iad Seana agus
An na hiiineiri? Ta rlach the
Tarlach
owners ?
na A re yo u the
An sibhse
hiomaitheoiri? com petitors ?

2 . 5 The negative q u estion form in identification sentences

To fo rm the n e g ative q u esti o n , we c h a n g e is to nach . N ote that nach

h a s no effect on t h e i n i t i a l l ette r of t h e p red i cate i n i d e ntifi cat i o n
sentences.

C o pu l a Predicate S u bject Meaning

Isn't Calm the
Nach e Colm an t-iidar?
a uthor?
Isn't A i ne the
Nach iAine an bhanaltra ?
n u rse?
A ren't Seana a n d
iad Seana agus
Na ch na hiiineiri? Ta rlach the
Tarlach
owners ?
na A ren 't you the
Nach sibhse
hiomaitheoiri? competitors ?

2 . 6 Reported speech i n positive identification sentences

As in c l a s s i fi cati o n s e n t e n c e s , is c h a n g es to gur. I f, h oweve r,

t h e p re d i cate h a s e, i o r iad i n fro n t of i t , it c h a n g es to gurb .

Silim ... I t h i n /< . . .

112 TH E COPULA

Copula Predicate S u bject Meaning

I th i n k that I a m
an duine is
Gur mise the best
fearr.
person .
I think that Down
Gurb eAn Dun na buaiteoiri. a re the
winners.
I t h i n k that those
Gurb iad na fir sin na gadaithe. men a re the
th ieves.
I thi nk that
an ceo/t6ir is
Gurb fMairead M a i read is the
fearr.
best m usicia n .
I t h i n k that you
a n cara i s fearr
Gur tusa a re m y best
liom.
friend.

2 .7 Reported speech i n negative identification sentences

Fo r t h i s we c h a n g e the n e g ative of the c o p u l a nf to nach . Nach has n o

effect o n t h e i n i t i a l l ette r o f t h e p red i cate .

Deirtear... I t is said ...

Copu l a Predicate S u bject Meaning

It is said that
Na ch e Cathal an t-amhrcinai. Catha/ is not
the singer
Is it said that
Nach f Mciirfn an bainisteoir. M 6 i rin isn't the
ma nager
 TH E COPULA 113

3 The copula in the past tense

To u s e t h e c o p u l a i n t h e past te n s e . we m u st c h a n g e it s l i g h t l y, b u t t h e
s e n t e n c e stru ct u re stays exa ctly t h e sa m e as i n t h e p re s e n t t e n s e . T h e
c o p u l a i n t h e past te n s e . h oweve r. c a n c a u s e a s p i rati o n i n s o m e cases

3 .1 Is

Is c h a n g e s to ba a n d a s p i rates t h e p red i cate . Is c h a n g es to b' if t h e

p red i cate beg i n s w i t h a vowe l . H oweve r. i t stays as b a befo re t h e
p ro n o u n s e , f a n d iad a n d ca n n ot a s p i rate t h e o t h e r p ro n o u n s me,
thu etc .

� Classification sentences:

Is ceolt6ir Muiris. M u iris is a m usicia n .

Ba cl:!eolt6ir M u iris. M u iris was a m usicia n .

I s u l l e sin. Tha t is an apple.

B'amhrcin maith e sin. Tha t was a good song

� I dentification sentences:

Is e M uiris an ceolt6ir. M u iris is the m u sicia n .

Ba e M uiris a n ceolt6ir. M u iris was the m usicia n .

3.2 Ni

Nf c h a n g e s to nfor a n d a s p i rates t h e p red i cate . Is d oes n o t c h a n g e

b efo re vowe l s . Nfor c h a n g es t o nforbh befo re t h e p ro n o u n s e, f a n d iad .

� Classifi cation sentences:

Nf duine cliste e. H e is not a clever perso n .

114 THE COPU LA

Nfor db_uine cliste e. He was not a clever person .

Nf amharclann f. It is n o t a thea tre.

Nfor amharclann f. It was not a theatre.

> I dentification sentences:

Nf he Donal mo chara. Dona l is not my rriend.

Nforbh e Donal mo chara Donal wasn't m y rriend.

riamh.

3.3 An

An c h a n g e s to ar a n d a s p i rates t h e p red i cate . I t d oes n ot c h a n g e befo re

vowe l s . Ar c h a n g e s to arbh befo re t h e p ro n o u n s e, f a n d iad .

>Classifi cation sentences:

An duine cliste e? Is he a clever person 1

Ar db_uine cliste e? Was he a clever person ?

An amharclann f? I s i t a thea tre ?

Ar amharclann f? Was it a theatre ?

> I dentificatio n sentences:

An e Donal do chara ? Is D o n a l your rriend I

Arbh e Donal d o chara ? Was Donal you r rriend I

3.4 Nach

Nach c h a n g e s to nar a n d a s p i rates t h e p red i cate . I t d o e s n o t c h a n g e

befo re vowe l s . Nar c h a n g e s t o narbh befo re t h e p ro n o u n s e, f a n d iad .
 TH E COPULA 115

> I dentification sentences:

Nach teach m6r e sin ? Isn't that a big house?

Nar t!leach m6r e sin ? Wasn't that a big house?

Nach aimsir ghalanta i? Isn't it lovely weather?

Nar aimsir ghalanta i? Wasn't it lovely weather?

> Classification sentences:

Nach e an gasur sin an Isn't that boy the wa iter?

freastalai?

Narbh e an gasur sin an Wasn't that boy the wa iter?

freastalai?

3.5 Gur

Gur stays the s a m e but a s p i rates the p red i cate . It d oes n ot c h a n g e

befo re vowe l s . Gurb c h a n g es t o gurbh befo re t h e p ro n o u n s e, i a n d iad .

> Id entifi cation sente n ces:

Deir se gur siopad6ir e. He says he is a shopkeeper

Duirt se gur s!liopad6ir e. He says he was a shopkeeper

Deir se gur iomanai maith e. H e says he is a good h u rler

Duirt se gur iomanai maith e. H e says h e was a good h u rler

>Classification sentences:

Deir se gurb e Sean an He says Sean is the best h u rler

t-iomanai is fear.

Duirt se gurbh e Sean an H e says Sean was the best h u rler

t-iomanai is fear.
116 THE COPU LA

4 Is with the preposition le used to express

ownership
'
4 .1 Overview

>To e x p ress possess i o n i n I ri s h , we u s e a co m b i nati o n of is a n d t h e

p re p o s i t i o n l e . T h e n o rm a l c o n st r u c t i o n i s :

Co p u l a + Pred icate + S u bject

Is le Liam an gluaistean Liam owns the ca r

> W h e n t h e p red i cate i s s o m e o n e's n a m e , o r a co m m o n n o u n , we

p l a c e le i n fro n t of t h e n a m e . a n d it cau ses n o c h a n g e , except to
n a m es w h i c h beg i n with vowe l s . I n that case, we p l a c e h in fro n t of
the name:

I s l e M ichelle an rothar. M ichelle owns the bike.

Is le Ruairf an ticead. R u a i rf owns the ticket

Is le Malachaf e. M a fachy owns it

Is le gasur 6g e. A yo u ng boy owns it

Is le hOna an piano. Ona owns the pia n o .

> W h e n t h e p red i cate i s p receded by t h e a r t i c l e an o r n a , le c h a n g e s t o

leis . I f t h e p h rase i s leis a n , w e e i t h e r a s p i rate o r ec l i pse t h e p red i cate .
If t h e p h rase i s leis na, we d o n ot h i n g to t h e p red i cate u n l ess it beg i n s
w i t h a vowe l , i n w h i c h case w e p l ace h at t h e beg i n n i n g t o t h e w o rd .
Th i s i s d e a l t with i n t h e sect i o n o n p re p o s i t i o n s

I s leis an fhearjbhfear e. The m a n owns it

Is leis na daoine sin iad. Those people own them .

Is leis na hamhranaithe The singers own those coats.

na c6taf sin.
 THE COPULA 117

> W h e n the p red i cate is a p ro n o u n , we use t h e fo l l ow i n g fo r m s :

i s liom I own

is leat you own

is leis he owns

is lei she owns + S u bject

is /inn we own

is libh you own

is leo they own

rep
To a s k w h o o w n s s o m e th i n g , we say:

Ce leis e? (fo r m a s c u l i n e n o u n s) Whose is it?;Who does it belong to ?

Ce leis i? (fo r fem i n i n e n o u n s) Whose is it?;Who does it belong to ?

Ce leis iad? (fo r p l u ra l n o u ns) Whose a re they?;Who do they belong to ?

>Th e past t e n s e i s fo rmed by c h a n g i n g is to ba . N o oth e r c h a n g e s a re

n ecessa ry

4 . 2 The negative

>The n e g ative is fo rmed by c h a n g i n g is to nf. Ni h a s no effect on t h e

p re p o s i t i o n l e i n a ny of i t s fo rms

Ni le Seamus an teach sin. Sea m u s doesn't own that h ouse.

Ni liom an t-airgead seo. I don't own this money

Ni leis an bhean/mbean sin That wom a n doesn't own the book .

an leabhar.
118 TH E COPULA

>Th e past t e n s e i s fo rmed by c h a n g i n g nf to nfor. N o o t h e r c h a n g e i s

n ecessa ry

4 . 3 Q uestions

>Th e q u esti o n i s fo rmed by c h a n g i n g is to an . An has no effect on t h e

p re p o s i ti o n l e i n a ny o f i t s fo r m s

An le Br6nach an ma/a ? Does B r6nach own the bag 1

An /eat an nuachtan sin ? Do you own that newspaper?

An leis an gharda/ngarda Does the g u a rd own the keys 1

na heochracha?

>Th e past t e n s e i s fo rmed by c h a n g i n g an to ar. N o oth e r c h a n g e i s

n ecessa ry

>Th e n e g ative q u esti o n i s fo rmed by c h a n g i n g is to nach . Nach h a s n o

effect o n t h e p re p o s i t i o n l e i n a n y o f i ts fo r m s :

Nach leo n o deochanna seo? Don't they own these dri n ks I

Nach lei no br6ga nua? Doesn't she own the n ew shoes ?

Nach leis an seanfhear an Doesn't the old m a n stil l own the

teach go foil/? housei

>Th e past te n s e i s fo rmed by c ha n g i n g nach to nor. No other c h a n g e is

necessary.

4 . 4 Reported speech

> Re p o rted s p e e c h is fo rmed by c ha n g i n g is to gur. Gur has no effect o n

t h e p re p o s i t i o n l e i n a n y o f i t s fo rm s :

Deir s e gur liom e. He says I own it.

 TH E COPULA 119

Deir se gur leis an fhoireann/ H e says the tea m owns it

bhfoireann e.

>-Th e re i s n o c h a n g e n ecessa ry to gur in the past t e n s e .

 ( PARTI CLES J
What is a particle?
Ve rba l Pa rti c l es in I ri s h c o m e d i rectly in fro n t of the verb a n d c a n
c a u s e i n i t i a l c h a n g e s , s u c h a s a s p i rati o n a n d e c l i p s i s , i n t h e s p e l l i n g
o f t h e ve rb .

1 Negative verbal particles

The n e g ative verba l p a rti c l es nf/nfor, cha/char as we l l as t h e i m pe rative

no c h a n g e the m ea n i n g of the verb to not or n o .

1 .1 The negative particle nf/nior

Tense/ Aspi rate

Particle Exa m p l e
M ood or Ecli pse
Ni btlrisfidh t u na rialacha
aris.
Present ni As p i rate
You will not brea k the ru les
aga i n .
Nior ctleannaigh me
nuachtan inniu.
Past nfor As p i rate
I didn't buy a newspaper
today
Ni stleasfaidh se aris.
Futu re ni As p i rate
It will not sta nd aga i n .
Ni dtleanfainn a leitheid.
Conditional ni As p i rate
I wouldn't do such a thing.
 PARTICLES 121

nf raibh me
I was not
nf dlleachaigh me
I did not g o
Past tense nf dllearna me
with As p i rate/ I did not do/m a ke
nf
6 i rreg u l ar Ec l i pse nf bhfuair me
verbs I did not get
nf fb_aca me
I did not see
nf duirt me
I did not say

1.2 The i m perative particle na

Tense/ Aspirate
Particle Exa m p l e
M ood or Ecli pse
Prefi xes h
Na dean sin arfs!
to verbs
Don't do that aga i n !
I m perative na beg i n n i n g
Na h61 an t-uisce sin!
with
Don't dri n k that water!
vowe l s

1.3 The i nterrogative particles an/ar

Tense/ Aspirate
Particle Exa m p l e
M ood or Ecli pse
An 4-tagann tu anseo go
Ecli pse. minic?
Present an No effect Do you come h ere often ?
o n vowe l s A n itheann t u feoil?
Do you eat m ea t ?
122 PARTICLES

Ar c!Jeol se an t-amhrcin sin?

Asp i rate . Did he sing that song 1
Past ar N o effect Ar oscail tu an doras d6?
on vowe l s D i d yo u open t h e door for
him ?
An ndeanfaidh t u gar dom ?
Ec l i ps e .
Wi ll you do m e a fa vour?
Futu re an No effect
A n inseoidh tu a n sceal d6?
o n vowe l s
Will you tel l him the story ?
An ndearfadh se sin dci
mbeinnse anseo?
Would h e say that if I was
h ere ?
Ec l i ps e .
An ullmh6fci an dinnear
Conditional an No effect
anocht dci mbeadh an
on vowe l s
t-am agat?
Would you prepa re the
d i n n er ton ig h t if you had
the time?
An raibh tu ansin ?
Were you there ?
An ndeachaigh t u abhaile?
Did you go home?
An ndearna tu obair ar
bith ?
Past tense Did you do any work ?
with As p i rate/ An bhfuair tu bronntanas
an
6 i rreg u l a r E c l i pse deas?
verbs Did you get a n ice present ?
A n bhfaca t u an scanncin?
Did you see the fl lm ?
An nduirt tu rud ar bith
leis?
Did you say a n yth i ng to
him ?
 PARTICLES 123

1.4 The neg ative interrogative particles nach/nar

Tense/ Aspi rate

Pa rticle Exa m p l e
M ood or Ecli pse
An d_tagann tu anseo go
Ec l i ps e . minic?
Present nach N o effect Do you com e h ere often ?
o n vowe l s A n itheann t u feoil?
Do you eat m ea t ?
Ar clleol se an t-amhran sin ?
As p i rate .
Did h e sing that song ?
Past nar N o effect
A r oscail t u a n doras do?
o n vowe l s
Did you open the door for h i m
A n ndeanfaidh t u g a r dom ?
Ecl i pse.
Wi ll you do a favou r for m e ?
Fut u re nach No effect
A n inseoidh t u an sceal do?
o n vowe l s
Will you tell h i m the story?
An ndearfadh se sin da
mbeinnse anseo?
Ecli pse. Would he say that if/ was here?
Conditional nach N o effect An ullmhofa an dinnear
on vowe l s anocht?
Would you prepa re the di n n er
ton ig h t ?
124 PARTICLES

Nach raibh se ann go luath ?

Was he not there ea rl y ?
Nach ndeachaigh siad a r
saoire?
Didn't they go on holida y ?
Nach ndearna sibh iarracht
ar bith ?
Didn't you m a ke any effort?
Past tense
Na ch bhfuair tu airgead ar
with As p i rate/
nach iasacht?
6 i rreg u l a r E c l i pse
Didn't you get a loa n of
verbs
money?
Nach bhfaca sf an
gluaistean ag teacht?
Didn't she see the ca r com i ng ?
Nach nduirt siad sin cheana
fein ?
H a ven't they said that
a l ready?
 PARTICLES 125

2 The relative particle

The re lative pa rti c l e i s t h e wo rd i n I ri s h that t ra n s l ates E n g l i s h re l ative

p ro n o u n s s u c h as that, who, whose a n d whom i n p h rases l i ke the ca r that
was damaged; the m a n whose ca r was damaged .

¢ For m o re o n t h i s see c h a pter 1 4 o n Relative c l a u se s .

2 .1 T h e d i rect relative particle

Tense/ Aspirate
Particle Exa m ple
M ood or Ecli pse
Sin an fear a c!J.eannaigh an
teach ?
Past a As p i rate
Is that the m a n who boug h t
the house ?
Ca bhfuil an fear a bhionn i
mbun na hoibre de
ghnath ?
Present a As p i rate
Where is the m a n who is
usually in charge of the
wor1< 1
Is mise an bhean a
d!J.eanfaidh an obair.
Future a As p i rate
I a m the wom a n who will do
the worl<.
Sin duine a b!J.eadh anseo do
mbeadh seans aige.
Conditional a As p i rate
There is a person who would
be here if he had the c h an ce.
126 PARTICLES

2 . 2 The i n d i rect rel ative partic l e

Tense/ Aspirate
Particle Exa m p l e
Mood or Ecli pse
Sin an fearar cl!eannaigh
me teachuaidh.
Past ar As p i rate
Tha t is the m a n whom I
boug h t the h ouse from .
E c l i ps e . Sin an poll g_ !J.tagann an
Prefi xes luch6g amach as.
Present a
n- to That's the hole which the
vowe l s m ouse comes o u t of.
Ecli pse. Sin a n duine a mbeidh a
P refi xes mhac ag imirt anocht.
Futu re a
n- to Tha t's the person whose son
vowe l s will b e playing ton ig h t
Ec l i ps e . Sin duine a gceann6inn deoch
P refi xes d6.
Conditional a
n- to Tha t is a person whom I
vowe l s would buy a dri n k for
 PARTICLES 127

3 90/gur, sula, mura that, befo re, if not

3 .1 go
I n re po rted state m e nts i n E n g l i s h t h e c o nj u ncti o n that c a n be l eft o u t
w e c a n say S h e says sh e's com i ng , o r S h e says t h a t she's com i ng . I n I ri s h ,
h oweve r, e i t h e r gur o r go , t h e words m ea n i n g that, m u st a l ways b e
u sed .

Tense/ Aspirate
Particle Exa m p l e
M ood or Ecli pse
Duirt se gur cheannaigh se
teach nua.
Past gur As p i rate
H e said that has boug h t a
n ew h ouse.
Sflim gq mbionn se anseo
gach maidin.
Ec l i p s e . I th i n k t h a t h e is h ere every
Prefi xes morn ing .
Present go
n- to Sflim gQll- 61ann se barraio-
vowe l s cht.
I t h i n k that he dri n ks too
much.
Sflim gq ndeanfaidh m e
obair an t f nfos moille.
Ec l i ps e . I th i n k t h a t I w i l l d o t h e
Prefi xes h o usework later
Future go
n- to Sflim gon-iosfaidh me mo
vowe l s dhinneargo luath.
I t h i n k that I will eat my
d i n n er ea rly
128 PARTICLES

Tense/ Aspi rate

Pa rticle Exa m p l e
Mood or Ecli pse
Duirt se godtiocfadh se
amtirach.
Ec l i p s e . H e s a i d t h a t he would come
Prefi xes tomorrow
Cond itional go
n- to Dearfainn go n-oscl6dh siad
vowe l s an tiit g o luath.
I would say that they would
open the place early
Duirt se go raibh se go luath.
He said that he was ea rly
Nf shflim rrdeachaigh siad ar
saoire.
I don't t h i n k that they wen t
on holiday
An sf/eann tu gQ ndearna
sibh iarracht ar bith ?
Do you t h i n k t h a t they didn't
Past tense
m a ke a n y effort!
with 6 As p i rate/
go Duirt se gQ bhfuair se seans.
i rreg u l ar E c l i pse
H e said that he didn't get a
verbs
c h a n ce.
Nf shfleann na gardaf gQ
bhfaca siad an gadaf.
Th e police don't t h i n k that
they saw the thief
Nf shflim gQ bhfaca siad sin
go f6ill.
I don't think that they have
seen it yet.

I n t h e exa m p l es a bove , t h e word that is u sed as a c o nj u n ct i o n i n

re po rted s p e e c h At o t h e r ti m e s that i s u sed a s a d e m o n st rative
a djective to p o i n t out s o m et h i n g o r s o m e o n e out. fo r exa m p l e ,
 PARTICLES 129

that car, that m a n , that wom a n . W h e n that is u sed a s an a dj ective it i s

tra n s l ated i n to I ri s h b y sin

an gasur sin that boy

Th i s is t h e sa m e fo r fe m i n i n e n o u n s :

a n bhean sin that woma n

3.2 sula/sular

W h e n t h e w o rd before c o m e s befo re a ve rb , we u s e e i t h e r sula or sular.

Tense/ Aspirate
Pa rticle Exa m p l e
M ood or Ecli pse
Sular cheannaigh se an teach
bhi c6naf air in cirascin.
Past sular As p i rate
Before he boug h t the h ouse
h e lived in a nat
Sula dtagann se ar ais abair
leis nuachtcin a fhciil dom.
Ec l i pse Before he comes back tel l him
Prefi xes to get a n ewspa per for me.
Present sula
n- to Sula n-osclaionn tu an
vowe l s doras faigheochair.
Before you open the door get
a key
Sula gcriochn6idh tu sin
beidh tucinnte go bhfuil se
ceart.
E c l i ps e .
Before you fln ish you will be
Prefi xes
Future sula s u re it is rig ht
n- to
Sula n-iosfaidh tu do
vowe l s
dhinnear nifidh d o lcimha.
Befo re you eat you r d i n n er
you will wash you r h a n ds.
130 PARTICLES

Ec l i ps e . Sula rrdeanfa sin nach

Prefi xes n-iarrfa cead.
Conditional sula
n- to B efore you do that wouldn't
vowe l s yo u a s k perm ission ?
Sula raibh se anseo bhf se ag
an siopa.
Befo re he was here he was a t
the shop.
Sula ndeachaigh siad ar
saoire. cheannaigh siad
eadafnua.
Before they wen t on holiday
they boug h t new clothes.
Sula rrdearna siad an obair
d'ullmhaigh siad go
curamach.
Past tense Before they sta rted the work
with As p i rate/ they prepa red ca refully
sula
6 i rreg u l a r E c l i pse
Sula bhfuair se an seans
verbs
labhairt leis d'imigh an
muinteoir.
Before h e got a ch an ce to ta ll<
to h i m the teacher left.
Sula bhfaca siad an scannan
cheannaigh siad milseain.
Befo re they saw the (Jim they
boug h t sweets.
Sula rrduirt siad sin nf or eist
duine ar bith leo.
Befo re they said that no-one
l istened to them .
 PARTICLES 131

3.3 mura

Th i s parti c l e , i n fro n t of a ve r b , is t h e I ri s h fo r if .. not,

mura dteann tu amach anocht if you don't go out tonig h t

Tense/ Aspi rate

Particle Exa m p l e
M ood or Ecli pse
Murar cl:!.eannaigh se sin,
cad e a cheannaigh se?
Past murar As p i rate
If he didn't buy that, what did
he buy?
Mura dtagann tu anois
beidh fearg orm.
Ec l i ps e . I f y o u don't come now I will
Prefi xes be a ng ry
Present mura
n- to Mura n-eistfonn liom anois
vowe l s nf eireoidh /eat.
If you don't l isten to me now
you will not succeed.
Mura gceannaionn se bia
beidh ocras air.
Ec l i ps e . If h e doesn 't buy rood h e will
Prefi xes be h u ng ry
Future mura
n- to Mura n-fosfaidh glasraf nf
vowe l s bhfaighidh s e milseog.
I f he doesn't ea t veg eta bles h e
won 't g e t a dessert.
132 PARTICLES

Mura d_tiocfadh se nf
bheadh Sean sasta.
I f he weren't to come Sean
E c l i pse wouldn't be happy.
Prefi xes M ura bhfoghlaimeofa sin nf
Conditional mura
n- to bheadh seans sa scriidii
vowe l s agat.
If you wo uldn't't lea rn that
you would have n o chance i n
t h e exa m .
M ura raibh s e a n n ce eile a
bhf ann?
If h e wasn't there who was
there ?
Mura ndeachaigh n a paistf
ar saoire is cinnte go raibh
na tuismitheoirf ar saoire.
If the children didn't go on
holidays it's certa i n that
the parents did.
Mura ndearna siad sin ce a
Past tense rinne e?
with A s p i rate/
If they didn't do that who did
mura
6 i rreg u l a r E c l i pse
it?
verbs Mura bhfuair siad seal nf
raibh se sin cothrom.
If they didn't get a tum that
wasn't fa ir
Mura bhfaca tusa e ce a
chonaic e?
If you didn't see him who did
see him '
Mura ndiiirt siad sin nf
raibh ciall ar bith acu.
If they didn't say that they
were foolish
 PARTICLES 133

3.4 ca/car

Th i s pa rti c l e i s t h e I ri s h fo r where i n fro n t of a ve r b , fo r exa m p l e

Ca dteann se gach la? Where does he go every day1

Tense/ Aspirate
Pa rticle Exa m p l e
M ood or Ecli pse
Car mb_uscail tu or maidin ?
Past car As p i rate Where did you wake up this
morning ?
ca dteann tu or scoil?
Ecli pse.
Where d o y o u go t o schoo l ?
Prefi xes
Present ca Ca n-ullmhaionn an c6caire
n- to an dinnear?
vowe l s Where does t h e cook prepa re
the d i n n er?
ca dtos6idh tu ag obair?
Ec l i ps e . Where w i l l y o u start working 1
Prefi xes ca n-iocfaidh tu as an
Futu re ca
n- to ticead?
vowe l s Where will you p a y ror the
ticket ?
ca gcraolfadh se an clar as?
E c l i pse Where would he broadcast
Prefi xes the prog ra m me rrom I
Conditional ca
n- to ca n-iosfa do mbeadh rogha
agat?
vowe l s
Where would you eat ;r you
had the choice?
134 PARTICLES

Ca raibh tu areir?
Where were you last n ig h t !
Ca ndeachiagh t u ar saoire?
Where did you go on holida y ?
Ca ndearna t u e sin ?
Past tense Where did you do thatl
with As p i rate/
ca Ca bhfuair tu an leabhar sin ?
6 i rreg u l a r Ec l i pse
Where did you get that boo I< /
verbs
Ca bhfaca siad e?
Where did they see h er?
ca nduirt siad sin an meid
sin /eat?
Where did they say all that to
yo u i

3 . 5 mci a n d dci

These a re t h e two w o rd s i n I ri s h u se d fo r if befo re ve rbs . Ma i s u se d

w h e n s o m et h i n g may we l l h a p p e n o r have h a p pe n e d :

ma itheann tu sin if I see her

a n d do is u sed fo r l ess l i ke l y or hypot h e t i c a l s i t u a t i o n s

d o mbainfinn an crannchur if I won the n ation a l lottery

naisiunta

Tense/ Aspirate
Particle Exa m p l e
M ood or Ecli pse
Ma sl:!_abhtiil s e airgead
nuair a bhf se 6g nfl rud ar
Past ma As p i rate bith fagtha anois aige.
If he saved money when he was
you ng he has none left now
 PARTICLES 135

Ma ta se anseo anois ni
fheicim e.
if he is h ere now I don't see
Present/ him.
ma As p i rate
Futu re Ma dheanann tu sin dom
beidh me sasta.
if you do that for me I will be
h a ppy
Da mbainfinn milliun euro
bheadh athas an domhain
orm.
If I won a m illion euro I would
Ec l i p s e . be very h a ppy
P refi xes Da rr-iocfadh se as na fiacha
Conditional da
n- to ar fad ata aige ni bheadh
vowe l s airgead a r bith fagtha
aige.
if he were to pay off a l l h is
debts he would h a ve no
money left
 ( THE CON D I TIONAL )
What is the condition a l mood�
T h e conditional mood i s a verb fo rm u sed to ta l k a b o u t s o m et h i n g
that may h a p p e n o r that may b e t ru e , o r that may h ave h a p pe n ed
o r m ay h ave b e e n true d e p e n d i n g o n c e rta i n co n d i t i o n s I would go
if I had perm issio n ; She would have won the race had she been fftter.

1 Forming the conditional mood

1 .1 Overview

>- Li ke oth e r verb fo rm s , t h e co n d i t i o n a l m o o d is m a d e fro m t h e base

fo rm of the ve r b . For t h e co n d i t i o n a l we add t h e e n d i n g to t h e base
fo rm befo re we add t h e s u bj ect of t h e ve rb . if i t i s a p ro n o u n .

>-Wh e n d e c i d i n g what e n d i n g t o a d d to t h e ve r b , i t i s i m po rta n t to

k n ow w h e t h e r t h e verb is fi rst c o nj u g ati o n b road or s l e n d e r, o r
seco n d c o nj u g a t i o n b road o r s l e n d e r.

c::> See sect i o n 2 of c h a pte r s o n Ve rbs .

>- I f t h e verb beg i n s w i t h t h e l etters b, c, d, g, m, p, s, t we m u st a l ways

a s p i rate in t h e c o n d i t i o n a l m o o d in positive a n d negative s e n t e n ces
but e c l i pse in the q u estion fo rm :

bhrisfinn I would brea k

ni bhrisfinn I wouldn't brea k

BUT
an mbrisfea? wo uld you brea k ?

>- I f t h e v e r b beg i n s w i t h a vowe l , w e p l a c e d' i n fro n t o f t h e i n i t i a l

vowe l i n t h e co n d i t i o n a l m o o d i n positive s e n te n c e s , b u t d ro p
 THE CONDITIONAL 137

t h e d' i n negative s e n t e n ces a n d i n t h e q uestion fo rm :

4'61fainn I would d ri n k

ni 61fainn I wou l d n 't dri n k

an 61fa? would y o u dri n k ?

,.. I f t h e verb beg i n s w i t h t h e l ette r f, w e a s p i rate a n d p l a c e t h e l ette r

d' i n fro n t of t h e i n it i a l l etter of t h e verb i n t h e c o n d i t i o n a l m o o d i n
positive s e n t e n c e s . b u t d ro p t h e d' i n negative s e n te n ce s :

d'fhagfainn I would leave

ni fhagfainn I wo u l d n 't lea ve

an bhfagfa? Would you leave ?

,.. I n t h e exa m p l e s w h i c h fo l l ow, t h e stem of each verb i s g iven i n

b rac kets fi rst s o that w e can see c l ea rly how each stem i s c h a n g ed :

Tq>
Yo u s h o u l d n ote that i n t h e co n d i t i o n a l m o o d , a l o t of t h e
p ro n o u n s a re i n co rpo rated i nto t h e e n d i n g , a n d so d o n o t req u i re
t h e p ro n o u n to be re peated . T h e refo re . ghlanfainn m e a n s I would
clea n . T h e p ro n o u n 'I' i s a l ready in t h e ve r b .

1.2 Fi rst Conj u g ation Verbs

,.. I f t h e last vowe l of t h e verb is broad (a, o or u) , we a d d

fainn

fa yo u

fadh se he

fadh si she
138 TH E CONDITIONAL

faimis we

fadh sibh you ( p l u ra l )

faidfs they

dun close

Dl!unfainn an doras do mbeadh I would lock the door if I had the key
an eochair agam.

scriobh write

Scriobhfadh sf litir do mbeadh She would write a letter if she had

peann aici. a pen .

ol dri n k

Q'61faimis tae do mbeadh se We wo uld dri n k tea if it were

ar foil. a va ila ble.

> I f the last vowe l of the verb i s slender (i) , we a d d

finn

feo you

feadh se he

feadh sf she

fimis we

feadh sibh you ( p l u ra l )

fidfs they

eist l isten

D'eistfinn le ceol do mbeadh I would l isten to m usic if I had a

raidi6 agam. radio.

bris brea k
 THE CONDITIONAL 139

Bhrisfeadh siad isteach sa teach They wo uld brea k into the house if
muna mbeadh eochair acu. they hadn't got a key.

> I f t h e ve rb e n d s i n -ail o r -ain , we re m ove t h e l ette r i befo re a d d i n g

t h e broad e n d i n g s

fainn

fa you

fadh se he

fadh sf she

faimis we

fadh sibh you ( p l u ra l )

faidfs they

taispeain show

Thaispeanfaimis d6ibh an We would show them the new

teach nua da n-iarrfaidfs e. ho use if they asked.

1.3 Second conj u g ation verbs

> I f the verb e n d s in -aig h , we remove t h e -aigh a n d add the fo l l ow i n g

broad e n d i n g s

6inn

o fa you

6dh se he

6dh sf she

6imis we

6dh sibh you ( p l u ra l )

6idfs they
140 TH E CONDITIONAL

ceannaigh buy

Cheann6inn gluaistean nua da I wou l d buy a n ew ca r if I had

mbeadh an t-airgead agam. the money

brostaigh h u rry

Bhrost6idfs abhaile da mbeadh Th ey wo uld h u rry home if it was

se fuar. cold.

> I f the verb e n d s in -ig h. we remove the -igh and add the fo l l owi n g
slender e n d i n g s

eoinn

eofa you

eodh se he

eodh sf she

eoimis we

eodh sibh you ( p l u ra l )

eoidfs siad they

eirigh get up

D'eireoinn go luath da mbeadh I would get up early if I h a d a job

post agam .

oibrigh work

D'oibreodh sf go dian da She wo uld work h a rd if she got

mbeadh an tuarastal ceart a proper wage.
aici.

> I f the verb has m o re t h a n o n e syl l a b l e a n d i s b road ( e n d s in -ail ,

-ain o r -ais) . we re m ove t h e -ai a n d a d d t h e broad e n d i n g s :
 TH E CONDITIONAL 141

6inn

ofo you

6dh se he

6dh si she

6imis we

6dh sibh you ( p l u ra l )

6idis they

muscail wa l<e up

M hii sc16dh si go luath gach She wo uld wa l<e up every morn ing ir
maidin do mbeadh clog she had an a l a rm clocl<.
a/Oraim aici.

oscail open

D'oscl6imis an teach tobhairne We wo uld open the pu b every n ig h t ir

gach ofche do mbeadh we had a licence.
ceadunas again.

� I f the ve rb has m o re t h a n o n e syl l a b l e a n d is s l e n d e r ( e n d s in -ii , -in o r

-is) . w e re m ove t h e - i . a n d a d d t h e slender e n d i n g s

eoinn

eofo you

eodh se he

eodh si she

eoimis we

eodh sibh you ( p l u ra l )

eoidfs they
142 TH E CONDITIONAL

imir play

D'imreoinn peil le mo chara dci I wo uld play footba ll with m y friend if

mbeadh cead agam. I was a l lowed .
 TH E CON DITIONAL 143

2 Asking and answering questions with verbs in

the con ditional mood

>-To a s k q u esti o n s i n t h e co n d i t i o n a l m o o d , we p u t an befo re t h e ve r b ,

a n d e c l i pse t h e fi rst l ette r of t h e ve rb . Ve rbs b eg i n n i n g w i t h vowe l s
are not ecl i psed .

brisfeadh se he wo uld brea k

an mbrisfeadh se? would he brea k ?

61fadh siad they would dri n k

an 61fadh siad? would they dri n k ?

>-To a n swe r i n t h e n e g ative i n t h e c o n d i t i o n a l , w e p u t n f befo re t h e

c o n d i t i o n a l ve rb . a n d a s p i rate t h e fi rst l ette r of t h e verb . N i d oes
n ot h i n g to wo rd s beg i n n i n g with vowe l s

ni bhrisfeadh se he wou l d n 't brea k

ni 61fadh siad they wo uldn't dri n k

144 TH E CONDITIONAL

3 Irregular verbs in the conditional mood

> S o m e i rreg u l a r verbs c h a n g e i n t h e c o n d i t i o n a l m o o d

Conditional Negative Question

bheinn
nf bheinn an mbeinnan
I would be
bheifeti
nf bheifeti an mbeifeaan
you would be
bheadh se
nf bheadh se an mbeadh se
he would be
bf bheadh sf
nf bheadh sf an mbeadh sf
be she would be
bheimis
nf bheimis an mbeimis
we would be
bheadh sibh
nf bheadh sibh an mbeadh sibh
you would be
bheidfs
nf bheidfs an mbeidfs
they would be
thiocfainn
nf thiocfainn an dtiocfainn
I would come
thiocfti
nf thiocfci an dtiocfci
you would come
thiocfadh se
nf thiocfadh se an dtiocfadh se
h e would come
tar thiocfadh sf
n f thiocfadh sf an dtiocfadh sf
come she would come
thiocfaimis
nf thioc(aimis an dtiocfaimis
we would com e
thiocfadh sibh
n f thiocfadh sibh an dtiocfadh sibh
you would come
thiocfaidfs
nf thiocfaidfs an dtiocfaidfs
they would come
 TH E CON DITIONAL 145

Conditional Negative Q u estion

rachainn
n i rachainn an rachainn
I wo uld go
rachfci
ni rachfci an rachfci
you would go
rachadh se
ni rachadh se an rachadh se
he would go
teigh rachadh si
ni rachadh si an rachadh si
go she would go
rachaimis
ni rachaimis an rachaimis
we would go
rachadh sibh
ni rachadh sibh an rachadh sibh
yo u wo uld go
rachaidis
ni rachaidis an rachaidis
they wo uld g o
.
d'fheicfjnn
ni fheicfjnn an bhfeicfjnn
I wo uld see
d'fheicfeci
ni fheicfeci an bhfeicfeci
you would see
d'fheicfeadh se
ni fheicfeadh se an bhfeicfeadh se
he would see
feic d'fheicfeadh si
ni fheicfeadh si an bhfeicfeadh si
see she would see
d'fheicfjmis
ni fheicfjmis an bhfeicfjmis
we wo uld see
d'fheicfeadh sibh ni fheicfeadh an bhfeicfeadh
you would see sibh sibh
d'fheicfjdis
ni fheicfjdis an bhfeicfidis
they wo uld see
146 TH E CONDITIONAL

Conditional Negative Question

chloisfinn
nf chloisfinn an gcloisfinn
I wo uld h ea r
chloisfea
nf chloisfea an gcloisfea
you would hea r
chloisfeadh se
nf chloisfeadh se an gcloisfeadh se
he would hear
clois chloisfeadh sf
nf chloisfeadh sf an gcloisfeadh sf
hea r s h e wou l d hea r
chloisfimis
nf chloisfimis an gcloisfimis
we wo uld hea r
chloisfeadh sibh nf chloisfeadh an gcloisfeadh
yo u wou l d hea r sibh sibh
chlois(idfs
nf chlois(idfs an gclois(idfs
they would hea r
dearfainn
nf dhearfainn an ndearfainn
I wo uld say
dearfa
nf dhearfa an ndearfa
you wou l d say
dearfadh se
nf dhearfadh se an ndearfadh se
he wo uld say
abair dearfadh sf
nf dhearfadh sf an ndearfadh sf
say she would say
dearfaimis
nf dhearfaimis an ndearfaimis
we wo uld say
dearfadh sibh nf dhearfadh
an ndearfadh sibh
you wou l d say sibh
dearfaidfs
nf dhearfaidfs an ndearfaidfs
they would say
 TH E CONDITIONAL 147

Conditional Negative Q uestion

dheanfainn
nf dht?anfainn an ndeanfainn
1 would do/m a ke

dheanfci
nf dht?anfci an ndeanfci
you would do/make
dht?anfadh se
nf dht?anfadh se an ndeanfadh se
he would do/m a ke
dheanfadh sf
dean nf dht?anfadh sf an ndeanfadh sf
do/ she would do/make
m a ke dheanfaimis
nf dht?anfaimis an ndeanfaimis
we wo uld do/m a ke
dheanfadh sibh nf dht?anfadh
an ndeanfadh sibh
you would do/make sibh
dheanfaidfs
they wo uld do/ nf dheanfaidfs an ndeanfaidfs
m a ke
bht?arfainn
nf bht?arfainn an mbear(ainn
I would g ra b
bht?arfci
nf bht?arfci an mbearfci
you wo uld g ra b
bht?arfadh se
nf bht?arfadh se an mbearfadh se
he wo uld g ra b
beir bhearfadh sf
nf bhearfadh sf an mbearfadh sf
g ra b s h e would g ra b
bht?arfaimis
nf bhearfaimis an mbearfaimis
we would g ra b
bht?arfadh sibh nf bhearfadh
an mbearfadh sibh
you would g ra b sibh
bht?arfaidfs
nf bhearfaidfs an mbear(aidfs
they wo uld g ra b
148 THE CONDITIONAL

Conditional Negative Question

gheobhainn
nf bhfaighinn an bhfaighinn
I would get
gheofti
nf bhfaighfeti an bhfaighfeti
you wo uld get
gheobhadh se nf bhfaigheadh
an bhfaigheadh se
he would get se
faigh gheobhadh sf
nf bhfaigheadh sf an bhfaigheadh sf
get she would get
gheobhaimis
nf bhfaighimis an bhfaighimis
we wo uld get
gheobhadh sibh nf bhfaigheadh an bhfaigheadh
you would get sibhnf sibh
gheobhaidfs
bhfaighidfs an bhfaighidfs
they would get
thabharfainn
nf thabharfainn an dtabharfainn
I would g ive
thabharfti
nf thabharfti an dtabharfti
you would g ive
thabharfadh se nf thabharfadh
an dtabharfadh se
he would g ive se
tabhair thabharfadh sf
nf thabharfadh sf an dtabharfadh sf
g ive she would g ive
thabharfaimis an
nf thabharfaimis
we would g ive dtabharfaimisan
thabharfadh sibh nf thabharfadh
dtabharfadh sibh
you would g i ve sibh
thabharfaidfs
nf thabharfaidfs an dtabharfaidfs
they wo uld g ive
 THE CONDITIONAL 149

Conditional Negative Question

d'fosfainn
nf fosfainn an fosfainn
I would eat
d'fosfa
nf fosfa an fosfa
you would eat
d'fosfadh se
nf fosfadh se an fosfadh se
he would eat
ith d'fosfadh sf
nf fosfadh sf an fosfadh sf
ea t she would ea t
d'fosfaimis
nf fosfaimis an fosfaimis
we would eat
d'fosfadh sibh
nf fosfadh sibh an fosfadh sibh
you would eat
d'fosfaidfs
nf fosfaidfs an fosfaidfs
they would ea t

Tep
To exp ress t h e c o n d i t i o n a l i n t h e past te n s e , i e I would have done
that, we u s e the c o n d i t i o n a l a s a bove .
 ( THE PASSIVE )
What is the passive?
The passive voice in I rish is t h e fo rm of t h e verb w h i c h is u sed
when we a re u n awa re of t h e s u bj ect of t h e s e n te n c e , o r we c h oose
n o t to say w h o o r what t h e s u bject is, fo r exa m p l e , the window was
broken ; the work will be done. I ri s h d iffe rs fro m E n g l i s h in the s e n s e
that w e ca n n ot h ave p h rases l i ke The window w a s broken by Orla ith .
I n t ra n s l a t i n g t h i s to I ri s h we m u st say Bhris Orlaith an fhuinneog
Orlaith broke the window.

1 Forming the passive

1 .1 Overview

>The pass ive is fo rmed fro m t h e base fo rm of t h e ve rb . We a d d a n

e n d i n g t o t h e base fo rm o f t h e ve rb .

> W h e n d e c i d i n g w h a t e n d i n g to a d d to t h e verb to fo rm t h e passive,

it i s i m po rta n t to k n ow whether t h e verb i s fi rst c o nj u g a t i o n b road o r
s l e n d e r, o r seco n d c o nj u g a t i o n b road o r s l e n d e r.

c:::> See secti o n 2 of c h a pte r s o n Ve r b s .

>The pass ive a p pea rs i n a l l te n s e s .

> T h e pos itive pass ive fo rm i s a l ways a s p i rated i n t h e c o n d i t i o n a l

db.eanfaf an obair the work would be done

>The pass ive i s n e i t h e r a s p i rated nor ecl i psed in t h e past te n s e at a ny

ti m e :
 TH E PASSIVE 1 51

Briseadh an fhuinneog. The window was broken .

Nior briseadh an fhuinneog. The window wasn 't broken .

Ar briseadh an fhuinnneog Was the window broken ?

> D' i s a l ways re m oved i n fro m verbs beg i n n i n g with a vowe l o r t h e

l etter f p l u s a vowe l i n t h e p a s t te n s e .

Ullmhaiodh an dinnear. The d i n n er was prepa red.

Fcigadh an gasur ina aonar. The boy was left a lone.

1.2 First conj ugation verbs

> I f t h e last vowe l of t h e verb is broad (a, o or u) , we a d d

Past: -adh
Present: -tar
Future : -far
Conditio n a l : -faf

tog lift/build

T6gadh an teach go gasta. The house was built q u ickly

T!J.6gfui an teach dci mbeadh Th e house wo uld be built if we h a d

an t-airgead again. the money

glan clea n

Glantar na leithris gach lei. The toi lets a re clea n ed every day

foe pay
Locfm: an bilie in am. The bill will be paid i n time
1 52 THE PASSIVE

> I f t h e last vowe l of the verb is slender (i) , we a d d

Past: -eadh
Present: -tear
Futu re : -fear
Conditio n a l : -fi

bris brea k

Briseadh isteach so teach Tha t h ouse was broken i n to last

sin areir. n ig h t.

eist l isten

Eistear le ceol traidisiunta Traditio n a l m usic is listened to i n

in Eirinn. I reland.

cuir put

Cuir[ear an fhoireann amach The tea m will be put out of the

as an chom6rtas. com petition.

mill destroy

M!J.illtf an dinnear d6 The d i n n er would be destroyed ifit

bhfagfai amuigh e. were left out.

> I f the verb e n d s in -ail o r -ain , we re m ove t h e l ette r i befo re a d d i n g

t h e broad e n d i n g s :

Past: -adh
Present: -tar
Future : -far
Condition a l : -faf
 TH E PASSIVE 1 53

taispeciin show

Taispecinadh scanncin areir. A film was sh own last n ig h t.

scibhciil save

Scibhciiltear airgead gach M o n ey is saved every yea r.

bliain.

s6inseciil change

S6insecilfu.I do chuid airgid You r m o n ey will be cha nged in the

sa bhanc. ba n k .

tcistciil test

Tllcistcil[fil an gluaistecin sin d ci That ca r would be tested i(the

mbeadh an garciiste oscailte. g a rage were open .

i.3 Second conjugation verbs

> I f t h e verb e n d s i n -aig h , we remove t h e -aigh a n d a d d t h e fo l l owi n g

broad e n d i n g s

Past: -aiodh
Present: -aitear
Future : -6far
1 Conditional : -6fai

ceannaigh buy

Ceannaiodh an teach ar The h ouse was boug h t a t h a l ( price.

leathphraghas.

eagraigh org a n ize

Eagraitear imeachtai go minic. Events a re org a n ized o(ten .

1 54 THE PASSIVE

beannaigh bless

Beann6far an leanbh sin. Tha t child will be blessed.

ceartaigh correct

Cl:!eartQ[gi an obair da The work would be corrected irthe

mbeadh an muinteoir teacher were a t schoo l.
ar scoil.

> I f t h e ve rb e n d s i n -ig h , w e remove t h e -igh a n d a d d t h e fo l l ow i n g

slender e n d i n g s :

Past: -fodh
Present: -ftear
Future : -eofar
Conditiona l : -eofaf

bailigh collect

Bailfodh cuid mh6r airgid inne. A lot or money was collected

yesterday

duisigh wa ke up

Duisftear na paistf sin go luath. Those children a re woken up ea rly

dfrigh d i rect

Dfreofar aird ar na Attention will be directed to the

polaiteoirf anois. pol iticia ns now

sfnigh sig n

Sl:!fneofaf an litir da mbeadh The letter would be sig n ed ir it were

sf scrfofa mar is ceart. written properly

> I f t h e verb has m o re t h a n o n e syl l a b l e a n d is b road ( e n d s in -ail, -ain

or -ais) . we rem ove t h e -ai a n d a d d t h e broad e n d i n g s
 TH E PASSIVE 155

Past: -aiodh
Present: oftear
Futu re : -6far
Conditional : -6faf

miiscail wa ke u p

M iisclaiodh no saighdiiiirf The soldiers were woken up ea rly.

go luath.

M iisc/6far maidin amarach You will be woken u p tomorrow

thii or a hocht. morn ing at 8 .

oscail open

Osc/aftear an doras ag an Th e door i s opened a t the same time

am cheanna gach 16. every day.

cosain defend

Cb_osnQ[gi an tfr seo da Th is cou n try would be defended if it

ndeanfaf ionsaf uirth. were a ttacked.

>- I f t h e verb h a s m o re t h a n o n e syl l a b l e a n d i s s l e n d e r (e n d s i n -ii, -in o r

-is) , w e remove t h e - i a n d a d d t h e slender e n d i n g s

Past: -iodh
Present: -ftear
Future : -eofar
Conditional : -eofaf

imir play

lmriodh an c/uiche inne ce The g a m e was played yesterday even

go raibh se ag cur. though it was ra i n i ng .
1 56 TH E PASSIVE

eitil n Y

Eitlitear an t-eitlean 6 Th e pla n e is nown from G lasgow to

Ghlaschu go Beal Feirste Belfast every day
gach 16 . .

coigil save

Coigleofar a Ian airgid so A lot of money will be sa ved i n the

chead ch6inaisneis eile. next budget.

inis tell

D'inseofaf an fhlrinne mura Th e truth would be told if people

mbeadh eagla or dhaoine. weren't afra id.
 TH E PASSIVE 1 57

2 Asking and answering questions with verbs in

the passive

>To a s k q u esti o n s i n t h e pass ive . we fo l l ow t h e sa m e ru l e s as fo r oth e r

te n s e s . T h e o n ly d iffe re n c e i s t h a t or n eve r a s p i rates i n t h e past te n s e .

With s u bject:

Ar dhiol an fear an teach Has the man sold the h ouse yet ?
go f6ill?

I rish passive (without s u bject) :

Ar dfoladh an teach go f6ill? Has the house been sold yet i

>To a n swe r i n t h e n e g ative i n t h e futu re te n s e . we fo l l ow t h e sa m e

ru l es a s fo r t h e oth e r te n s e s . T h e o n ly d iffe re n c e i s t h a t nior n eve r
a s p i rates i n t h e past t e n s e .

With s u bject:

Nior b!1ris Caoimhfn no Caoi m h fn didn't brea k the rules.

rialacha.

I rish passive (without s u bject) :

Nior briseadh no rialacha. The ru les weren't broken .

1 58 THE PASSIVE

3 The passive with irregular verbs

S o m e i rreg u l a r verbs c h a n g e i n t h e c o n d i t i o n a l

Past Present Future Conditional

bhiothas bftear beifear bheiff
nf rabhthas nf bhftear nf bheifear nf bheiff
bf
an rabhthas an mbftear an mbeifear an mbeiff
be nach rabhthas nach mbftear nach mbeifear nach mbeiff
go rabhthas go mbftear go mbeifear go mbeiff
chualathas cluintear cluinfear chluinff
nior chualathas nf chluintear nf chluinfear nf chluinff
clois
ar chualathas an gcluintear an gcluinfear an gcluinff
hea r nar chualathas nach gcluintear nach gcluinfear nach gcluinff
gur chualathas go gcluintear go gcluinfear go gcluinff
rinneadh deantar deanfar dheanfaf
dean nf dhearnadh nf dheantar nf dheanfar nf dheanfaf
do/ an ndearnadh an ndeantar an ndeanfar an ndeanfaf
nach ndearnadh nach ndeantar nach ndeanfar nach ndeanfaf
make
go ndearnadh go ndeantar go ndeanfar go ndeanfaf
duradh deirtear dearfar dear(af
nf duradh nf deirtear nf dearfar nf dear(af
abair
an nduradh an ndeirtear an ndearfar an ndear(af
say nach nduradh nach ndeirtear nach ndear(ar nach ndear(af
go nduradh go ndeirtear go ndearfar go ndear(af
fuarthas faightear gheobhfar gheobhfaf
nf bhfuarthas nf fhaightear nf bhfaighfear nf bhfaighff
faigh
an bhfuarthas an bhfaightear an bhfaighfear an bhfaighff
get nach bhfuarthas nach bhfaightear nach bhfaighfear nach bhfaighff
go bhfuarthas go bhfaightear go bhfaighfear go bhfaighff
chonacthas feictear feicfear d'fheicff
nf fhacthas nf fheictear nf fheicfear nf fheicff
feic
an bhfacthas an bhfeictear an bhfeicfear an bhfeicff
see nach bhfacthas nach bhfeictear nach bhfeicfear nach bhfeicff
go bhfacthas go bhfeictear go bhfeicfear go bhfeicff
itheadh itear fosfar d'fosfaf
nfor itheadh nf itear nf iosfar nf iosfaf
ith
ar itheadh an itear an iosfar an fosfaf
eat nar itheadh nach n-itear nach n-fosfar nach n-iosfaf
gur itheadh go n-itear go n-iosfar go n-fosfaf
 THE PASSIVE 1 59

Past Present Futu re Conditional

tugadh tugtar tabharfar thabharfal
nfor tugadh nf thugtar nf thabharfar nf thabharfal
tabhair
ar tugadh an dtugtar an dtabharfar an dtabharfal
g ive nar tugadh nach dtugtar nach dtabharfar nach dtabharfal
gur tugadh · go dtugtar go dtabharfar go dtabharfal
thangthas tagtar tiocfar thiocfal
nfor thangthas nf thagtar n f thiocfar nf thiocfaf
tar
ar thangthas an dtagar an dtiacfar an dtiocfal
come nar thangthas nach dtagtar nach dtiocfar nach dtiocfal
gur th6ngthas go dtagtar go dtiocfar go dtiocfal
chuathas teitear rachfar rachfaf
nf dheachthas nf theitear nf rachfar nf rachfaf
teigh
an ndeachthas an dteitear an rachfar an rachfaf
go nach ndeachthas nach dteitear nach rachfar nach rachfaf
go ndeachthos go dteitear go rachfar go rachfaf
rugadh beirtear bearfar bhearfai
nior rugadh ni bheirtear nf bhearfar nf bhearfai
bei
ar rugadh an mbeirtear an mbearfar an mbearfai
g ra b nar rugadh nach mbeirtear nach mbearfar nach mbearfal
gur rugadh go mbeirtear go mbearfor go mbearfal

KEV POINTS

V T h e I ri s h pass ive i s u se d w h e n we d o n't know o r d o n't wa n t

to say w h o o r w h a t ca rri es o u t t h e acti o n o f t h e ve r b .
V T h e pass ive i s fo rmed fro m t h e s t e m o f t h e ve rb .
V N e i t h e r nfor n o r or a s p i rates t h e pass ive i n t h e past t e n s e .
 ( THE SU BJ UNCTIVE J
What is the s u bj u nctive mood�
T h e s u bj u n ctive mood i s a verb fo rm u se d to e x p ress a w i s h or a n
a ct i o n that h a s n ot yet occu rred , fo r exa m p l e , M a y h e never retu rn .
T h e s u bj u n ctive mood i s ra re ly u se d n ow i n I ri s h , b u t i t i s sti l l fo u n d
i n c e rta i n s i t u a ti o n s , especia l ly i n p raye rs a n d b l ess i n g s

1 Using the subjunctive

T h e re a re t h ree m a i n u ses of t h e s u bj u n ctive m o o d i n I ri s h to e x p ress a

wi s h , to e x p ress p u rpose a n d to ex p ress u n ce rta i n ty.

1 .1 Expressi n g a wish

go c o m e s befo re the verb in p o s i tive s e n t e n ces a n d e c l i p s e s , a n d ncir

c o m e s befo re t h e verb i n n e g ative s e n t e n c e s a n d a s p i rates . Go raibh, no
raibh a re t h e fo rms of t h e verb bf to be, a n d t h e most co m m o n ly h e a rd
term i s :

g o raibh maith agat tha n k you

t h i s l i te ra l l y m e a n s " may you h ave g o o d ".

Go dtaga an 16 nuair M a y the day come when I a m

a bheidh me p6sta. ma rried .

Nor fhile an fear sin M a y that m a n never come back h ere.

arfs anseo.
 TH E SUBJUNCTIVE 161

1.2 Expressi n g pu rpose after go, n6 go, sula

Rachaidh me ann go I will go there to see h i m (l i t . so I will

bhfeice me e. see h im).

Fan go dtaga mo Wa it u ntil my friend comes back.

chara ar ais.

Bf ar ais anseo sula dte Be back here before he goes home.

se abhaile.

1.3 Expressi n g u ncertai nty after mura

Cad e a dheanfaimid mura What will we do if you r m other does

dtaga do mhathair ar ais? not come back ?

Mura gcreide sibh me na If you don't believe me don't listen

heist liom. to m e
162 TH E SUBJUNCTIVE

2 Forming the subjunctive

As with oth e r tenses a n d m o o d s i n I ri s h , t h e s u bj u n ctive is fo rmed fro m

t h e ste m of t h e ve r b .

2 .1 Fi rst conj u gation verbs

> I f t h e ve rb is b road , we a d d -a , a n d if it is s l e n d e r, we a d d -e

mot (pra ise) bris (break)

mola me brise me
mola tu brise tu
mola se brise se
mola sf brise sf
molaimid brisimid
mola sibh brise sibh
mola siad brise siad

> I f t h e verb e n d s i n -ail , we d ro p t h e i a n d a d d a, a n d if it e n d s i n -ain ,

we a d d e:

reachtail (org a n ize) tiomain (drive)

reachtala me tiomaine me
reachtala tu tiomaine tu
reachtala se tiomaine se
reachtala sf tiomaine sf
reachtalaimid tiomainimid
reachtala sibh tiomaine sibh
reachtala siad tiomaine siad
 THE SUBJUNCTIVE 163

2 . 2 Second conj u g ation verbs

> I f t h e verb e n d s in -aig h , we c h a n g e -aigh to -af. a n d if it e n d s i n -igh,

we c h a n g e -igh to - f

ceannaigh (buy) cruinnigh (collect)

ceannaf me cruinnf me
ceannaf tu cruinnf tu
ceannaf se cruinnf se
ceannaf sf cruinnf sf
ceannaimid cruinnimid
ceannaf sibh cruinnf sibh
ceannaf siad cruinnf siad

> I f t h e verb e n d s in -air, we c h a n g e -air to -raf, a n d if it e n d s in -ir, we

c h a n g e -ir to -rf

labhair (spea k) imir (play)

labhraf me imrf me
labhraf tu imrf tu
labhraf se imrf se
labhraf sf imrf sf
/abhraimid imrfmid
labhraf sibh imrf sibh
labhraf siad imrf siad
164 THE SUBJUNCTIVE

KEY POINTS

V' T h e s u bj u n ctive is not co m m o n ly u se d i n I ri s h .

V' T h e s u bj u n ctive i s u sed to exp ress wi s h , p u rpose a n d
u n c e rta i n ty.
V' It is u s u a l ly p receded by go, sula, n6 go, mura or nar.
 (ADVERBS)
What is an adverb?
An adverb is a w o rd that g ives m o re i nfo rmat i o n a b o u t a ve r b , a n
a dj ective o r a n o t h e r adve r b . I f w e l o o k at t h e sentence M a ry ru ns
q u ickly, 'qu ickly' d e s c ri bes how M a ry ru n s . In t h e sentence M a ry ru ns
very fast, 'very' d e s c ri bes t h e adverb 'qu ickly' a n d g ives i nfo rmati o n
a b o u t h o w q u i c k l y M a ry ru n s .

Th e re a re t h ree m a i n types o f adverbs i n I ri s h

1 . Adve rbs w h i c h a re fo rmed fro m a dj ectives

2. Adve rbs of t i m e
3 Adve rbs o f d i recti o n

1 Adverbs which are formed from adjectives

> N o r m a l ly, to fo rm a n adverb fro m a n a dj ective , we p u t go i n fro n t of it

fear maith a good m a n

Rinne tu go maith e. You d i d it well .

ceol ciuin q u iet m usic

Cheol an cailfn go ciuin. The g i rl sang qu ietly

> go p l a ces h i n fro n t of a dj ectives beg i n n i n g with a vowe l to fo rm

adverbs :

cluiche iontach a wonderfu l g a m e

D'imir se go hiontach. He played wonderfu l ly

166 ADVERBS

2 Adverbs of time

T h e adverbs of t i m e a re n ever c h a n g ed :

feasta rrom now on

anois now

f6s yet, still

go foil/ yet, still

inne yesterday

amarach tomorrow

inniu today

ar maidin in the morn i ng

16ithreach i m m ediately

fad6 long ago

anuraidh last yea r

>riamh never (th i s i s u sed i n t h e past te n se)

Ni raibh me riamh in Albain. I h a ve never been to Scotland.

An raibh tu riamh s a Fhrainc? H a ve you ever been i n France?

>choiche never (th i s i s u sed in t h e fu tu re tense)

Ni rachaidh me ann choiche. I will never go there.

An dtiocfaidh siad choiche? Wi ll they n ever com e ?

>seo chugainn next ( i n refe re n c e to d ays , w e e k s a n d m o nt h s) :

a n tseachtain seo chugainn next week

an mhi seo chugainn next month

 ADVERBS 167

an M htlirt seo chugainn n ext Tuesda y

�seo caite/seo a chuaigh thart ( i n refe re n c e to d ays, weeks a n d

m o n t h s)

an deireadh seachtaine last weekend

seo caite/seo a chuaigh thart

an Satharn seo caite/ last Satu rday

seo a chuaigh thart
168 ADVERBS

3 Adverbs of d irection

3 .1 Out a n d i n

Th e re a re two w o rd s i n I ri s h fo r out a n d i n . O n e refe rs to t h e d i recti o n

y o u a re g o i n g a n d t h e o t h e r refe rs t o yo u r fi n a l p o s i t i o n

�amach (d i recti o n )/amuigh (fi n a l p o s i t i o n ) out

Teann se amach. He goes out.

Ta se amuigh. H e is out.

Rachaidh me amach anois. I will go out now

Beidh me amuigh ansin. I will be out then .

� isteach (d i rect i o n )/istigh (fi n a l p o s i t i o n ) in

Chuaigh me isteach. I went i n .

Bhf me istigh. I was in.

Rachaidh sf isteach. She comes i n .

Beidh sf istigh. She w i l l be i n .

3 . 2 U p a n d down

A s i m i l a r system a p p l i e s fo r t h e w o rd s fo r up a n d down i n I ri s h , a n d t h e
wo rd w e u s e d e p e n d s o n t h e d i recti o n fro m w h i c h w e a re co m i n g a n d
t h e p o s i t i o n fro m w h i c h w e a re sta rti n g . A ve ry easy way t o l ea r n t h i s i s
t o t h i n k of b e i n g i n t h e m i d d l e o f a sta i rcase.

suas up (g o i n g u p)

thuas up (wh e n you h ave rea c h e d t h e to p)

anuas down (co m i n g d ow n fro m a h i g h p o s i t i o n )

 ADVERBS 169

sios down (g o i n g d ow n )

thios down (w h e n yo u h ave rea c h e d t h e botto m)

anios up (co m i n g up fro m a l ower positi o n )

Teigh suas an staighre. Go up t h e sta irs .

Ta an fear thuas san ailear. The m a n is up in the a ttic.

Thit an pictiur anuas den bhalla. The pict u re rel/ down orrthe wa l l .

Teigh sios go b u n a n . Go down t o the bottom or the ladder

Fan thios ag bun an dreimire. Wa it down at the bottom or the ladder

Tar anios as an silear. Com e up rrom the cellar

3 . 3 T h e poi nts o f the compass

an tuaisceart an deisceart an toirthear an tlarthar

the north the south the east the west
6 thuaidh 6 dheas soir siar
northwa rds southwa rds eastwa rds westwa rds
aduaidh aneas anois aniar
rrom the north rrom the south rrom the east rrom the west
thuaidh aduaidh thoir thiar
in the north in the south in the east in the west

I f, fo r exa m p l e , you we re trave l l i n g fro m N ewry ( i n t h e east of I re l a n d )

t o G a l way ( i n t h e west o f I re l a n d ) , you wo u l d say

Ta an Ghaillimh san larthar. G a lway is in the West.

Chuaigh muid siar go Gaillimh. We went west(wa rds) to Ga lway

Ta An tlur san Oirthear. Newry is in the East.

Chuaigh muid soir chun an luir. We went East(wa rds) to N ewry

170 ADVERBS

KEV POINTS

V Adverbs g ive a d d i t i o n a l i nfo rmati o n a b o u t ve r b s , a dj e ctives

o r oth e r adverbs.
V T h e m a i n adverbs in I ri s h a re adverbs w h i c h a re fo rmed fro m
a dj ectives. adverbs of t i m e a n d adverbs of d i recti o n .
V W h e n d ea l i n g w i t h t h e adverbs u p a n d down , i n a n d out, a n d
directions. t h e E n g l i s h w o rd h a s m o re t h a n o n e p o s s i b l e
t ra n s l a ti o n .
 ( PREPOSITIONS J
What is a preposition?
A p re p o s iti o n i s a word that comes befo re a n o u n o r p ro n o u n and is
used to l i n k that n o u n o r p ro n o u n to s o m eth i n g else in a sentence.

1 Simple and compound prepositions

• T h e re a re two types of p re p o s i t i o n s i n I ri s h s i m p l e prepositions

and compound p repositions.

• S i m p l e p re p o s i t i o n s have o n e e l e m e n t . S o m e of t h e m a s p i rate
the n o u n that fo l l ows t h e m , ot h e rs e c l i pse it and s o m e m a ke no
c h a n g e to it

Ta an leabhar ar an tabla. The boo/< is on the table.

Ta an gasur i dteach eigin. The boy is in some h ouse.

Ta an airgead gg Sean. Sean has money

• T h e n o u n that fo l l ows s i m p l e p re p o s i t i o n s i s i n t h e d ative case

• T h e s i m p l e p re p o s i t i o n s in I ri s h a re as fo l l ows

ag at
ar on
as out of
chuig to
de of
do to
faoi u n der
gan without
go to
172 PREPOSITIONS

; in
idir between
ionsar towa rds
le with
mar lil<e
6 from
roimh before
seachas except
thar over
um about

• Co m p o u n d p re p o s i t i o n s h ave m o re than one e l e m e n t and the

n o u n that fo l l ows them m u st be p u t i n to t h e g e n itive case.

Ta se ar aghaidh an dorais. ft is opposite the door

Chuaigh se ar chul an tf. H e went beh ind the h o use.

lmrionn se ; /cir na pairce. H e plays in the m iddle of the fleld.

• S o m e of the co m po u n d p re p o s i t i o n s in I ri s h a re a s fo l l ows

ar aghaidh opposite
ar chul beh ind
ar fud throug h o u t
de chois nea r
faoi bhun u nder
; /cir in the m iddle of
i measc among
in aice nea r
o s cionn a bove
os comhair before
ar feadh for
tar eis after
i rith d u ring
de bharr beca use of
le haghaidh for
i mbun in charg e of
 PREPOSITIONS 173

2 Changes caused by simple prepositions to nouns

beginning with a consonant

D i ffe re nt p re p o s i t i o n s h ave d iffe re n t effects o n n o u n s that sta rt with a

c o n s o n a n t . We c a n s p l it t h e m u p accord i n g to t h e effect t h ey h ave .

> ag, as, le, chuig, go, seachas

• These p re p o s i t i o n s have no effect on t h e n o u n that fo l l ows

them .

Ta gluaistean deas gg fear The postman has a n ice ca r.

an phoist.

As Baile Atha Cliath 6 I a m from D u blin orig i n a l l y

dhUchas me.

Th6inig me Le. cara. I ca m e w i t h a friend

Cuir sin chuig duine eigin. Send that to someone.

An dtiocfaidh tu liom gq Will you come to Derry with me i n

Doire or maidin ? the m orn ing 1

Bhf gach duine ann Everyon e was there except Peadar.

seachas Peadar.

> de, do, faoi, mar, 6, roimh, um

• These p re p o s i t i o n s a s p i rate n o u n s if poss i b l e .

Ta m e 16n de db.6chas. I am fu l l of hope.

Thug me airgead do Shean. I g a ve some money to Sea n .

Ar chuala tu faoi Cl:!.ormac? Did y o u h ea r a bout Corm a c ?

Beidh me ag imirt mar I w i l l be playing fu ll-back

cl:!.ul Mire.

6 th.us no bliana from the beg i n n ing of the yea r

174 PREPOSITIONS

Bhf se sa teach roimh He was in the h ouse before M fchedl.

Ml!icheal.

trf pl!oll na heochrach th rough the keyhole

[l) Re m e m be r some c o n s o n a nts ca n n ot be a s p i rated . In t h i s case t h e

p re p o s i t i o n s a bove h ave n o effect

�ar

• T h e p re p o s i t i o n ar b e h aves in d i ffe re n t ways d e p e n d i n g on i ts

m ea n i n g i n t h e s e n te n c e .

• I t a s p i rates n o u n s w h e n t h ey i n d i cate a g e n e ra l situati o n .

Ta c6ta a r Sl!ean. Sean is wea ring a coat

Ta athas ar Sl!fle gur eirigh lei. Sfle is happy that she passed .

• I t d o e s n't a s p i rate n o u n s w h e n t h ey po rtray g e n e ra l p o s i t i o n

Bhf a n gasur a r geireadh. The boy was at the back.

Bhf gach duine ar b.ord. Everybody was on boa rd .

• I t d o e s n't a s p i rate n o u n s w h e n t h ey po rtray a state o r a

c o n d i ti o n .

Bhf se ar meisce. He was dru n k .

Fuair s e an post ar �onradh. H e got the job on contract.

• I t d oesn't a s p i rate n o u n s that fo l l ow when t h ey a re re l ated to

time.

Feicfidh m e a r Ila/I thU. I'll see you later

Beidh Peadar ann ar maidin. Peadar will be there in the morning.

 PREPOSITIONS 175

>gan

• gan a s p i rates n o u n s if t h ey a re on t h e i r own (if t h ey have n o

a dj e ctive o r o t h e r i nfo rmati o n atta c h e d ) a n d d o n't beg i n w i t h
f. d o r t.

Ta tu gan ml!aith. Yo u a re useless.

Ta tu gan cl!iall. You a re stupid.

But

Chuaigh se ann gan rungin rua. H e went without a pen ny

Abair leis gan mala a th6gail. Tell h i m not to lift a bag .

Bhl me gan [Ieagra. I didn't h a ve an a n swer

• N o u n s a re not a s p i rated afte r gan if t h ey a re a p e rso n's n a m e

ThOinig s e g a n M icheal. He ca m e without M iched l .

> idir

• idir a s p i rates n o u n s w h e n it m e a n s between or both .

Bhl idir gl!asuir agus There were both boys a n d g i rls i n

gl!irseacha sa scoil. the school.

Bhl idir cl!airde agus gl!aolta Both friends a n d relations were a t

ar an mbainis. the wedding

• idir a s p i rates n o u n s w h e n it i n d i cates s pace i n d i sta ri c e o r t i m e .

Ta loo mile idir Beal Feirste There a re 100 m iles between Belfast
agus Baile Atha Cliath. and D u b l i n .

Blann se ar saoire idir H e is on h o l i d a y between M a y a n d

Bealtaine agus Mean F6mhair. September
176 PREPOSITIONS

>-thar

• thar a s p i rates n o u n s most of the t i m e .

Nf raibh thar blleirt ann. There weren't more tha n two people
there.

Chuaigh se thar bllarr He went over the top of the h i l l

an chnoic.

>- i

• N o u n s a re e c l i psed after i

Ta me i mo ch6naf i I live in Westport.

gCathair na Mart.

Cuir i mbosca e. Put it in a box.

11) Re m e m be r s o m e c o n s o n a nts ca n n o t be e c l i psed . I n t h i s case t h e

p re po s i t i o n s a b ove h ave n o effect.
 PREPOSITIONS 177

3 Changes caused by simple prepositions to nouns

beginning with a vowel

Diffe re n t p re p o s i t i o n s h ave d iffe re n t effects o n n o u n s that start w i t h a

vowe l . We ca n s p l i t t h e m u p accord i n g to t h e effect that they h ave .

.,.. ag, or, as, chuig, faoi, gan, idir, mar, 6, roimh, seachas, thar, tri, um

N o c h a n g e s a re m a d e to n o u n s after t h e s e p re p o s i t i o n s

Ta milseain ag S.ean. Sea n has got sweets.

Ta se ina lui or url6r an I t is on the noor of the room

tseomra.

Ta an madra sin gan runm. Tha t dog has no n a m e

Fuair me 6 Qna e. I got it from O n a

Ni raibh thar Qchtar ann. There weren't more tha n eig h t there .

.,.. g o, le

These p re po s i t i o n s p l a c e a n h befo re n o u n s .

Ta se ag dul g o l!Ard Mhacha. He is going to Armag h .

N a labhair l e l:!Eamonn. Don't spea k to Eamonn

.,.. de, do

The -e of de a n d t h e -o of do a re l ost befo re a vowe l a n d befo re fh a n d a n

a postro p h e i s a d d ed i n t h e i r p l a c e .

Thug s e an t-airgead ff.Una. H e gave Ona the money.

Bhain se an craiceann Q'.oraiste. He took the skin off an ora nge.

Thug si 4'.fhear an phoist e. She gave it to the postma n .

178 PREPOSITIONS

T h i s p re p o s i t i o n d oes n't c h a n g e n o u n s b eg i n n i n g with vowe l s , b u t

beco m e s i n i n fro n t o f t h e m .

Ta c6naf air in Eirinn. H e lives in I rela nd.

Ta se a g stopadh i n 6stlann. H e is staying i n a hotel .

 PREPOSITIONS 179

4 Simple prepositions and the singular article

• The s i n g u l a r a rti c l e an often c o m e s after a p re p o s i t i o n a n d

befo re a s i n g u l a r n o u n . I t c o r res p o n d s to t h e i n E n g l i s h .

• T h e a rti c l e i s s o m eti mes a d d ed t o a p re p o s i t i o n t o m a ke o n e

wo rd ; s o m eti m e s i t stays sepa rate fro m t h e p repos i t i o n a n d
o t h e r t i m e s i t co m p letely c h a n g es t h e p re pos i ti o n T h e ta b l e
b e l ow s h ows e a c h p re p o s i t i o n w i t h t h e a rti c l e .

Preposition Preposition with a rticle

ag ag an
ar ar an
as as an
chuig chuig an
de den
do don
faoi faoin
; sa/san (san befo re vowe l s)
le leis an
6 6n
roimh roimh an
thar thar an
trf trfd an
um um an

• W h e n a p re p o s i t i o n is u sed w i t h t h e a rt i c l e it often c h a n g e s t h e
n o u n that fo l l ows i t .

• I n I ri s h t h e re a re two ways i n w h i c h n o u n s can b e c h a n g ed

180 PREPOSITIONS

when a p re p o s i t i o n and an a rt i c l e come b efo re t h e m ; we wi l l

ca l l t h e s e M ethod 1 a n d M ethod 2 . N o u n s c a n e i t h e r b e ec l i psed
o r a s p i rated . I t i s u sefu l to l ea rn both .

4 .1 Method 1

• T h i s m e t h o d mostly i nvo l ves e c l i ps i n g t h e n o u n w h e n t h i s i s

possi b l e . Th i s method i s u sed i n every p a r t o f I re l a n d except
U l ster.

• T h e re a re s o m e p re p o s i t i o n s w h i c h req u i re a s p i rati o n a l l t h e
t i m e , a s i n U l ste r.

• We ca n s h ow t h e c h a n g e s m a d e to n o u n s by g ro u p i n g t h e
n o u n s acco rd i n g to t h e l ette r t h ey beg i n w i t h .

� b-, c-, f-. g-, p-

• N o u n s beg i n n i n g with t h e s e l etters a re ec l i psed w h e n t h e re i s a

p re p o s i t i o n a n d a n a rt i c l e befo re t h e m . T h e fo rm of t h e
p re p o s i t i o n a n d a rt i c l e ca n be seen i n t h e ta b l e a bove .

ag an mbainis at the wedding reception

ar an gcarr on the ca r

leis an bhfear with the m a n

faoin ngrian u n der the s u n

6n b.pobal from the com m u n ity

�d-, I-, m-, n-, r-, s-, t-

• N o u n s b eg i n n i n g w i t h t h e s e l etters ca n n ot be e c l i psed a n d
t h e refo re stay t h e sa m e .
 PREPOSITIONS 181

leis an d_liod6ir with the lawyer

roimh an Ion bero re l u nch

ar an margadh on the m a rket

6n neal rrom the cloud

trfd an re sin th ro ug h o u t that era

ag an �coil at the school

chuig an teach to the h ouse

>a-/a-, e-/e-, i-/f-. o-/6-, u-/u-

• N o u n s b eg i n n i n g with t h e s e vowe l s ca n n ot b e e c l i psed a n d

t h e refo re stay t h e sa m e .

faoin git a bout the a rticle

san �aglais in the ch u rch

leis an im with the butter

ag an Qtharlann a t the hospita l

chuig an Maras to the a uthority

• As m e n t i o n e d a b ove, t h e re a re a few p repos i t i o n s t h a t a re n o t

cove re d by t h e s e ru l e s . T h e p re p o s i t i o n s a re den, don, sa/san (san
w i t h vowe l s a n d f)

> b-, c-, f-, g-, m-, p-

• N o u n s beg i n n i n g with t h e s e l etters a re a s p i rated w h e n t h e

a bove p re po s i t i o n s a re u s e d w i t h t h e a rti c l e .

den bl!alla or the wa l l

don chat ror the cat

182 PREPOSITIONS

don fhreastalaf to the wa iter

sa gllairdfn in the g a rden

den mllullach off the top

sa pllost i n the job

>d-, I-, n-, r-, t-

• N o u n s beg i n n i n g with these l etters ca n n ot be a s p i rated a n d

t h e refo re stay t h e s a m e .

den qochtuir of the doctor

don Ieabharlann for the libra ry

sa nead in the n est

den cidire of the knig h t

don teach for t h e h ouse

>a-/a-, e-/e-, i-/f-. o-/6-, u-/u-

• N o u n s b eg i n n i n g with t h e s e vowe l s ca n n ot be a s p i rated a n d

t h e refo re stay t h e s a m e N ot i c e t h a t san i s u sed i n stead o f sa .

den glta of the n u rse

don filtlean for the plane

san iasc on the fl sh

den Qthar of the patient

don Mar for the a uthor

>sn-, sl-, sr-, s- +vowe l

• t- i s p l a ced b efo re feminine n o u n s beg i n n i n g w i t h these g ro u ps

of l ette rs .
 PREPOSITIONS 183

don ts/at for the rod

so tsraith in the series

den tseachtain of the week

• N o c h a n g e is m a d e to masculine n o u n s b eg i n n i n g w i t h t h e s e
g ro u ps of l ette rs .

den �neachta of the snow

don �labhra for the chain

so �ruthOn i n the strea m

den �iopa of the shop

4 . 2 M ethod 2

• Th i s method i s u se d in U l ster I ri s h and mostly i nvo lves

a s p i rati o n .

• T h e p re p o s i ti o n s den, don, sa/san (son w i t h vowe l s) work t h e

sa m e way i n t h i s m e t h o d a s t h ey d o i n method 1 .

• We c a n s h ow t h e c h a n g es m a d e t o n o u n s b y g ro u p i n g t h e
n o u n s a c c o rd i n g to t h e l ette r t h ey beg i n with .

� b-, c-, f-, g-, m-, p-

• N o u n s beg i n n i n g with t h ese l etters a re a s p i rated .

ag an bl!ainis at the wedding reception

ar an cl!arr on the car

leis an (hear with the man

faoin gl!rian u nder the sun

den ml!ullach of the top

184 PREPOSITIONS

6n pllobal from the com m u n ity

>d-, I-, n-, r-, t-

• N o u n s beg i n n i n g with t h e s e l ette rs ca n n ot b e a s p i rated a n d

t h e refo re stay t h e sa m e .

leis an 41iod6ir with the la wyer

roimh an Lon before l u nch

6n neal from the cloud

trid an raithe through the q u a rter

chuig an teach to the house

>a-/a-, e-/e-, i-/i-. o-/6-, u-/u-

• N o u n s b eg i n n i n g with these vowe l s ca n n ot be ec l i psed a n d

t h e refo re stay t h e sa m e

faoin q/t about the a rticle

san �aglais i n the ch u rch

leis an im with the butter

ag an Qtharlann at the hospita l

chuig an Maras to the a u th ority

>sn-, sl-, sr-, s- +vowe l

• t- is p l aced b efo re feminine n o u n s beg i n n i n g with t h e s e g ro u ps

of l ette rs .

ar an tslat on the rod

sa tsraith in the series

trid an tseachtain through the week

 PREPOSITIONS 185

No c h a n g e i s made to masculine n o u n s beg i n n i n g with these g ro u ps of

l ette rs .

faoin �neachta u nder the snow

6n �labhra rrom the chain

so �ruth6n in the strea m

ag an �iopa at the shop

III I t i s ve ry co m m o n in U l ster to place t- befo re a l l n o u n s , both

mascu l i n e and fe m i n i n e after a p re p o s i t i o n and a n a rt i c l e b u t i t is
c o n s i d e red m o re co rrect to fo l l ow t h e patte rn a bove .
186 PREPOSITIONS

s Simple prepositions an d the plural article

• The p l u ra l a rt i c l e na ofte n c o m e s afte r p re p o s i ti o n s and b efo re

p l u ra l n o u n s . It co rres p o n d s to the i n E n g l i s h .

• T h e ta b l e b e l ow s h ows each p re p o s i t i o n w i t h t h e a rti c l e .

Preposition Pre position with article

ag ag na
ar ar na
as as na
chuig chuig ana
de de na
do do na
faoi faoi na
; sna
le leis na
6 6 na
roimh roimh na
thar thar na
trf trfd na
um um na

• N o u n s b eg i n n i n g with a c o n s o n a n t a re not c h a n g ed .

ag na 12.allaf at the wa lls

ar na r;.annaf on the ca ns

as na goirse out or the doors

chuig na feirmeoirf to the ra rmers

 PREPOSITIONS 187

de na geataf of the gates

faoi na 1inte u n der the l i n es

sna monarchana in the factories

leis na n6imeid with the m i n u tes

6 na 12-oilfnf from the pol ice

roimh na ranganna before the classes

thar na �eachtainf over the weeks

trfd na tfortha th rough the countries

• h i s p l a ced befo re n o u n s beg i n n i n g w i t h a vowe l .

ag n a l:!aisteoirf at the a ctors

ar na nein on the birds

as na l:!fomhanna out of the images

chuig na l:!udair to the a uthors

de na l:!aistf of the essays

do na l:!eitleain for the planes

faoi na hinge u n der the n a i ls

sna l:!ofcheanta \ ts
i. n t h e n ig
/
leis na l:!uiscf with the waters

6 na l:!altraf from the n u rses

roimh na l:!Eireannaigh before the I rishmen

thar na l:!innill over the eng ines

trfd na l:!othair through the patients

um na l:!uaireanta a bout the h o u rs

188 PREPOSITIONS

KEV POINTS

V' P re p o s i ti o n s a re words that c o m e b efo re n o u n s o r p ro n o u n s

a n d w h i c h l i n k t h e m t o oth e r w o rd s i n a s e n te n c e .
V' Pre p o s i ti o n s c a n c a u s e a s p i rati o n o r e c l i ps i s to t h e n o u n
w h i c h fo l l ows
 (RELATIVE CLAUSESJ
What is a rel ative cla use?
We use re l ative c l a u ses to g ive a d d i t i o n a l i nfo rmati o n a b o u t
s o m e bo d y o r s o m eth i n g with o u t sta rti n g a n ot h e r s e n te n c e . F o r
exa m p l e , ta ke t h e two senten ces I s a w a m a n . H e w a s worl<ing here
yesterday. They co u l d be c o m b i n e d i n to o n e s e n t e n ce I saw the man
who was worl<ing h ere yesterday. T h e pa rt of t h e s e n te n c e , who was
worl<ing h ere yesterday is t h e re l ative c l a u s e .

I n I ri s h , t h e re a re two types o f re l ative c l a u s e , d i rect re lative c l a u ses

and i n d i rect re l ative c l a u se s .

1 Direct relative clause

1 .1 Overview

A d i rect re l ative c l a u s e is o n e i n w h i c h t h e person or t h i n g d es c r i b e d i n

t h e c l a u s e i s t h e s u bject o r o bj e c t o f t h e ve rb :

an cailfn a bhris na rialacha the g i rl who brol<e the rules

an gasur a thioc[aidh _J h e boy who will come h ere tomorrow

anseo amarach

an muinteoir a theagascann the teacher who teaches in the school

sa scoil

an teach a cheannaigh me the house which I bought

an duine a fheicim gach the person who I see every morn i ng

maidin

an t-airgead a chaithftdh me the money which I will spend on

ar saoire holiday
190 RELATIVE CLAUSES

1.2 The d i rect rel ative particle a

A i s u sed i n a l l te n s e s with a l l verbs a n d a s p i rates t h e fi rst c o n s o n a n t of

a l l ve rbs, except in the fo l l owi n g

> W i t h ta

an fear ata anseo the m a n who is h ere

>With t h e past t e n s e of t h e verb faigh g et

an duine a fuair an duais the person who got the prize

>Al l tenses of t h e verb abair say:

an bhean a duirt sin the wom a n who said that

an sagart a dear[aidh an the priest who will say the m ass

t-aifreann

>The past a u to n o m o u s of a l l ve rbs except bhfothas, th6ngthas,

chuathas, chualathas, chonacthas :

Sin an fhuinneog a briseadh. Tha t's the window that was broken .

Chua/a me an t-amhran I heard the song that was s u ng at my

a ceoladh ag mo bhainfs. wedding .

>Verbs beg i n n i n g w i t h a vowel o r ( w h i c h h ave d' i n fro n t of t h e m i n

t h e past t e n s e o r c o n d i t i o n a l ·

an madra a d'6/ a n t-uisce the dog that dra n k the water

Sin an deag6ir a d'fhagfadh That's the teenager who would leave

an teach 16ithreach da the house i m mediately if h e had the
mbeadh seans aige. chance.
 RELATIVE CLAUSES 191

1.3 Nach

T h e n e g ative pa rti c l e nach is u sed i n a l l tenses w i t h a l l verbs except i n

t h e past t e n s e , w h e n i t i s o n l y u sed with t h e i rreg u l a r ve rbs bf be, dean
do/m a ke, faigh get, abair say, feic see. teigh g o . Nach ec l i pses a n d p refi xes
n- to verbs beg i n n i n g with a vowe l .

a n muinteoir nach dtagann the teacher who doesn 't come to

ar scoil gach 16 school every day

an bhean nach n-6/ann (ion the wom a n who doesn't dri n k wine

an leanbh nach bhfuair the child who didn't get the prize
an duais

1.4 Ncfr

Nor is o n ly u sed i n t h e past tense w i t h reg u l a r verbs a n d w i t h t h e

i rreg u l a r verbs beir g ra b , clois/cluin hear. ith eat, tabhair g i ve, tar come.
Nor a s p i rates b u t h a s n o effect o n verbs beg i n n i n g w i t h vowe l s

n a scoltiirl nor bhris the students who didn't brea k the

na rialacha ru les

sin an buachaill nor oscail that's the boy who didn't ooen h is
a bhronntanas present

1.5 Other uses of a

�After the i n te rro g atives ca mhead how m uch , ca fhad how long , cathain
when , cen uair when a n d conas how, we u s e a in a s i m i l a r way :

Ca mhead duine a th6inig How many people ca me h ere last

anseo areir? n ig h t ?

ca fhad a chaithfidh tu sa How long w i l l you spend i n Fra n ce

Fhrainc i mbliana? th is yea r?
192 RELATIVE CLAUSES

Cathain a bheidh siad ar ais When wil l they be back in I rela nd

in Eirinn arfs? aga i n 1

Cen uair a chuala tu an When did you hear that story ?

sceal sin ?

>a i s a l so u sed after nuair when a n d m a r l i ke:

Nuair a bhaineann an Dun When Down wins the All-Irela n d

Craobh no hEireann beidh I w i l l b e h appy
me scista.

Bhf se ina sheasamh ag an H e was sta nding a t the door as

doras mar a bheadh though h e were a soldier.
saighdiuir ann.

>After cen uair? when ?, we a l ways u s e a :

cen uair a bheidh t u ann? When will you be there 1

Cen uair a rinne tu sin ? When d i d you d o that?

Cen uair a rachaidh tu When will you go on hol idays I

ar saoire?
 RELATIVE CLAUSES 193

2 Indirect relative clause

2.1 Overview

>-An i n d i rect re l ative c l a u s e is o n e i n w h i c h t h e person or t h i n g

d es c r i b e d i n t h e c l a u se i s n o t t h e s u bj ect o r o bj ect o f t h e ve r b :

an fear a bhfuil a mhac tinn the man whose son is sic/<

an bhean a ndeachaigh the wom a n whose son wen t home

a mac abhaile go luath early

an gluaistean a bhfuil the ca r whose owner is o u tside

a uineir taobh amuigh

>- How to translate with who m , to wh o m , in which , out or which , on which

an muinteoir a raibh me the teacher with whom I was

ag caint leis ta ll<ing/the tea cher I was ta ll<ing to

an cofra a bhfuil na the cupboard in which the cups a re/

cupain ann the cupboard which the cups a re i n

an seomra a mbeidh na th e room in which th e children will be!

paisti ann the room which the children will be in

an duine a dtugaim cuidiu do the person to whom I give help/

� the person I give help to

>- W h e n t h e i n te rro g atives ce iii h o , cad/ceard what a re fo l l owed by a

p re p o s i t i o n :

Ce leis a raibh tu ag caint? Who were you ta ll<ing to ?

(\Nith whom were you ta ll<ing ?)

ce do a dtabharfaidh tu Who will you give the money to ?

an t-airgead? (To whom will you g ive the money?)

Ceard faoi a mbionn siad Wha t a re they compla i n i ng about?

ag gearan ? (About what a re they compla ining ?)
194 RELATIVE CLAUSES

> After the fo l l owi n g p h rases we use an i n d i rect re lative c l a u s e :

an ait/cen ait the place/which place

an d6igh/cen d6igh the way/which way
an fath/cen fath the reason/what reason
cad chuige why

Sin an ait a ndearna se Tha t is the place where he did the

an damaiste. damage.

cen d6igh a ndeanann Wha t way is it done here ?

siad anseo e?

Cen fath ar thtlinig se ar ais Wh y d i d h e com e back in t h e end ?

sa deireadh ?

2 . 2 The i n d i rect rel ative particle a

>The i n d i rect re l ative pos itive pa rti c l e a i s u sed i n a l l tenses a n d

ec l i pses t h e d e p e n d e n t fo rm o f t h e ve rb (the q u esti o n fo r m ) , except
in the past tense when i t i s o n l y u sed with with the i rreg u l a r verbs
bl be, dean do/m a ke, faigh get, abair say, feic see, teigh g o

an bhean a raibh a m a c anseo the wom a n whose son was h ere

an fhoireann a mbainfidh the tea m whose capta i n will win

a chaptaen imreoir na bliana player of the yea r

an leabhar a mbeidh eagran the book wh ich there will be a new

nua de ag teacht amach version of out soon
go luath

>The i n d i rect n e g ative pa rti c l e ar is u sed in the past tens e o n l y a n d

a s p i rates , except w i t h t h e verbs m e n t i o n e d i n t h e sect i o n a bove . I t
a s p i rates a n d re m oves t h e d ' fro m t h e verbs w h i c h beg i n w i t h vowe l s
i n t h e past te n s e .
 RELATIVE CLAUSES 195

an gasur ar bhris a chara the boy whose friend broke the

an fhuinneog window

an leabhar ar bhain me an the book from which I removed the

cludach de front cover

Sin an bhean ar 61 a cara do That's the wom a n whose friend

ghloine ffona. dra n k yo u r g lass o f wine.

2.3 Nach

Nach i s u sed in a l l te n ses with a l l verbs except in t h e past te n s e . w h e n

i t i s o n l y used w i t h t h e i rreg u l a r ve rbs b f b e . dean do/m a ke. faigh get.
abair say, feic see, teigh go. Nach e c l i pses and p refixes n- to verbs
b eg i n n i n g with a vowe l

an muinteoir nach dtagann the teacher whose son doesn't come

a mhac ar scoil gach 16 to school every day

an bhean nach n-6/ann the wom a n whose friend doesn't

a cara ffon drink wine

an leanbh nach bhfuair the child whose father didn't get the
a athair an duais prize

2 . 4 The i n d i rect rel ative negative particle ncir

T h e i n d i rect re l ative n e g ative pa rti c l e nar is o n l y used i n t h e past t e n s e

w i t h reg u l a r v e r b s a n d w i t h t h e i rreg u l a r v e r b s beir g ra b , clois/cluin
hea r, ith eat. tabhair g i ve, tar come. Nar a s p i rates b u t has no effect o n
verbs beg i n n i n g w i t h vowe l s

n a scolairf nar bhris a gcairde the students wh ose friends didn't

na rialacha brea k the ru les

sin an buachaill nar oscail that's the boy whose father didn't
a athair a bhronntanas ooen h is present
196 RELATIVE CLAUSES

Tq>
We c a n u s e e i t h e r d i rect o r i n d i rect re l ative c l a u ses after t h e w o rd s
a m time, I d day, ofche n ig h t , bliain n ig h t o r o t h e r n o u n s w h i c h i m p l y
time:

Cen I d a bhf s e ann/ Wha t day was he there ?

cen Id a raibh se ann?
Cen bhliain a thar/a se/ What yea r did it h appen ?
cen bhliain ar thar/a se?
 (NUMBERS J
T h e re a re fo u r k i n d s of n u m be rs i n I ri s h :

Cardinal numbers 1 : n u m be rs w h i c h a re n't fo l l owed b y a n o u n -

one, two, th ree etc

Cardinal numbers 2 : n u m b e rs that a re u se d d i rectly with n o u n s -

one boo/<, two pens, th ree ca rs etc

Personal n umbers : n u m be rs that a re used w h e n ta l ki n g a b o u t

peo p l e - duine, beirt, triiir, ceathrar etc

Ordi nal numbers : n u m be rs w h i c h e x p ress the o rd e r in w h i c h

t h i n g s h a p p e n first, secon d etc
-

1 Cardinal numbers 1

d
I n basic co u n t i n . we m u st p u t a befo re t h e n u m be r with n u m be rs 1-19.

1 .1 Counting from 0-20

0 naid
l a haon 6 a se
2 a do 7 a seacht
3 a trf 8 a hocht
4 a ceathair 9 a naoi
5 a ciiig 10 a deich
198 NUM BERS

11 a haon deag lG a se deag

12 a d6 dheag 17 a seacht deag
lJ a tri deag 18 a hocht deag
14 a ceathair deag 19 a naoi deag
15 a cuig deag 20 fiche

1.2 Counting a bove 20

21 fiche a haon 75 seacht6 a cuig

22 fiche a d6 80 ocht6
23 fiche a tri 8G ocht6 a se
24 fiche a ceathair 90 n6cha
25 fiche a cuig 97 n6cha a seacht
2G fiche a se 100 cead
27 fiche a seacht 1 20 cead a fiche
28 fiche a hocht 1 35 cead triocha a cuig
29 fiche a naoi 20 0 dhci chead
30 triocha 300 trf chead
31 triocha a haon 400 ceithre chead
40 daichead 500 cuig chead
42 daichead a d6 Goo se chead
so caoga 700 seacht gcead
53 caoga a tri 800 ocht gcead
Go seasca 900 naoi gcead
G4 seasca a ceathair 1 00 0 mile
70 seacht6 10, 000 deich mile
 N U M BERS 199

2 Cardinal numbers 2

I n I ri s h s o m e n u m b e rs c h a n g e s l i g htly w h e n we p l ace a n o u n after

t h e m . We a l so u s u a l l y u s e t h e s i n g u l a r of t h e n o u n after n u m b e rs .
T h e n u m be rs 2 a n d 4 c h a n g e t o fro m d6 t o dh6 (2) a n d fro m ceathair
to ceithre (4) w h e n we a d d n o u n s .

2 .1 Counting n o u n s 1 - 6

• After t h e n u m b e rs 1 -6. we aspirate n o u n s beg i n n i n g w i t h a

consonant:

trf ch.upon three cups

cuig t!1.tibla flve ta bles

• After t h e n u m b e rs 1 -6, we do n ot h i n g to n o u n s b eg i n n i n g w i t h
a vowe l :

dh6 Ull two apples

se uan six l a m bs

cupon cup u11 apple

aon ch.upon amh6in one cup aon ull amhoin one apple
dh6 ch.upon two cups dh6 u11 two apples
trf ch.upon th ree cups trf ull th ree apples
ceithre ch.upon fou r cups ceithre ull fou r apples
cuig ch.upon flve cups cuig ull flve apples
se cb.upon six cups se ull six apples
200 NUMBERS

2 . 2 Counting n o u n s 7 -1 0

Afte r t h e n u m be rs 7-1 0, we eclipse n o u n s beg i n n i n g both w i t h

consonants a n d vowels :

seacht g_cupan seven cups

naoi !1tabla nine ta bles

ocht n-u// eig h t apples

deich n-uan ten l a m bs

cu pan cup u11 apple

seacht gcupan seven cups seacht n-ull seven apples
ocht gcupan eig h t cups ocht n-ull eig h t apples
naoi gcupan n i n e cups naoi n-ull n i n e apples
deich gcupan ten cups deich n-ull ten apples

2 . 3 Counting nouns from 1 0-1 9

W h e n co u n t i n g fro m 10-19, we a d d deag/dheag to t h e exa m p l e s a bove .

We a d d dheag if t h e n o u n we a re c o u nti n g e n d s i n a vowe l .

trf chupan deag th irteen cups

B UT
trf ch6fra dl!eag th irteen cupboa rds

seacht n-ull deag seventeen apples

B UT
ocht n-oraiste dl!eag eig h teen ora ng es

cu pan cup c6fra cupboa rd u11 apple

aon cl!upan deag aon cl!6fra dheag aon ull deag
eleven cups eleven cupboards eleven apples
 NUM BERS 201

dhci cllupan deag dhci cl1_6fra dheag dha ull deag

twelve cups twelve cupboa rds twelve apples
trl cllupan deag trl cl1_6fra dheag trl u/I deag
thirteen cups thirteen cupboards thirteen apples
ceithre cllupan deag ceithre cll6fra dheag ceithre U/I deag
fou rteen cups fou rteen cupboards fou rteen apples
cuig cllupan deag cuig cll6fra dheag cuig ull deag
fifteen cups fifteen cupboards fifteen apples
se cl1_upan deag se ch6fra dheag se ull deag
sixteen cups sixteen cupboa rds sixteen apples
seacht gcupan deag seacht gc6fra dheag seacht 11-ull deag
seven teen cups seventeen cupboa rds seventeen apples
ocht gcupan deag ocht gc6fra dheag ocht 11-ull deag
eig h teen cups eig h teen cupboards eig hteen apples
naoi gcupan deag naoi gc6fra dheag naoi 11-ull deag
n i n eteen cups n i n eteen cupboa rds n i n eteen apples

2 . 4 Counting n o u n s above 20

W h e n co u n t i n g a b ove 20, we a d d fiche 20 , trlocha 30, daichead 40, etc

to the exa m p l es a b ove . W h e n co u nt i n g s i m p l y 20, 30, 40, etc, the n o u n
i s n ever c h a n g ed .

cupan cup ull apple

aon cllupan is fiche cuig u/I is seasca
twenty-one cups sixty-five apples
dhci cllupan is trlocha se ull is seacht6
thi rty-two cups seven ty-six apples
trl cllupan is daichead seacht n-ull is ocht6
forty-th ree cups eig h ty-seven apples
202 N U M BERS

ceithre cllupan is caoga ocht n-ull is n6cha

fifty-fo u r cups n i n ety-eig h t apples

2 . 5 Counting n o u n s a bove 1 0 0

When co u n t i n g a bove i o o , we u s e t h e fo l l ow i n g syste m . We beg i n

with t h e wo rd fo r a h u n d red , fo l l owed b y t h e s m a l l e r n u m b e r, fo l l owed
by the n o u n

Cead ( a h u n d red) i s dhO mhfle (a n d two m iles)

cead peann/ull cead is dhO pheann/iill

one h u nd red pens/apples one h u n d red a n d two pens/apples
dhO chead peann/ull dhO chead is ocht bpeann/n-ull
two h u ndred pens/apples two h u nd red a n d eig h t pens/apples
seacht gcead fiche is naoi bpeann/n-ull
tri chead peann/ull
seven h u n d red a n d twenty n i n e pens/
th ree h u ndred pens/apples
apples
ceithre chead peann/ull cuig cllead peann/ull
fou r h u nd red pens/apples five h u n d red pens/apples
se cllead peann/iill seacht gcead peann/ull
six h u ndred pens/apples seven h u n d red pens/apples
ocht gcead peon n/iill naoi gcead peann/iill
eig h t h u ndred pens/apples n i n e h u n d red pens/apples

2 . 6 N o u n s with special forms after n u m bers

T h e re a re c e rta i n n o u n s w h i c h h ave a s p e c i a l fo rm after n u m be rs .

These a re :

bliain a yea r; ceann hea d/one; cloigeann head/one;

seachtain wee/< and uair h o u r/time.
 NUM BERS 203

noun after 2 after 3-6 after 7-10

seacht-deich
bliain dhci bhliain trf-se bliana
mbliana
seacht-deich
ceann dhci cheann trf-se cinn
gcinn
seacht-deich
cloigeann dhci chloigeann trf-se cloigne
gcloigne
seacht-deich
seachtain dhci sheachtain trf-se seachtaine
seachtaine
seacht-deich
uair dhci uair trf-se huaire
n-uaire

2 .7 M o n ey

>The w o rd s fo r euro a n d cent stay t h e s a m e n o matte r what n u m be r

c o m e s befo re :

euro/cent (amhciin) one eu ro/cent

dha euro/cent two eu ros/cents

trf euro/cent th ree eu ros/cents

J seacht euro/cent seven eu ros/cents

ocht euro/cent eig h t eu ros/cents

>With Sterl i n g . va ri o u s c h a n g es o c c u r :

punt agus pingin po u n ds a n d pence

>The ru l es fo r c a rd i n a l n u m be rs 2 a p p l y to punt

punt (amhciin) one pound

dhci, trf, ceithre, cuig, se pllunt two, th ree, fou r, flve, six pounds

seacht, ocht, naoi, deich bpunt seven, eig ht, nine, ten pounds
204 NUM BERS

>Pingin , h oweve r, h a s a s p e c i a l p l u ra l w h e n u se d w i t h n u m be rs

• 1-2

pingin (amhOin) one pen n y

dhO phingin two pence

• 3-10

trf p!Jlngine th ree pence

ceithre pl!ingine fou r pence

cuig pl!ingine five pence

se pl!ingine six pence

seacht hpingine seven pence

ocht llpingine eig h t pence

naoi llpingine n i n e pence

deich llpingine ten pence

 NUM BERS 205

3 Personal numbers

3 .1 Personal n u m bers 1 -1 2

I n I ri s h w e h ave to u s e s p e c i a l fo rms fo r n u m b e rs w h e n w e a re
c o u n t i n g peo p l e These a re

N u m ber
duine, duine amh6in, ao n duine amh6in
1
a person , a single person
2 beirt
3 triur
4 ceathrar
5 cuigear
G seisear
7 seachtar
8 ochtar
9 naonur
10 deichniur
11 (aon) duine dheag
12 dareag

IIJ W h e n we u s e a n o u n after t h e p e rso n a l n u m be rs 2-10. we need a

s p ec i a l fo rm o f t h e p l u ra l ca l l ed t h e g e n i tive ( s e e p a g e 1 6) .
I
beirt bhan two women

triur fear th ree men

ceathrar muinteoiri ro u r tea chers

cuigear amhranaithe five singers

206 NUMBERS

seisear gasur six boys

seachtar cailfnf seven g i rls

ochtar banaltraf eig h t n u rses

naonur buachaillf n i n e boys

deichniur ban ten women

Ttp
T h e wo rd beirt a s p i rates t h e n o u n w h i c h fo l l ows, except n o u n s
that can't b e a s p i rated a n d t h o s e that beg i n w i t h d, s o r t.

beirt chailfnf two g i rls

B UT
beirt daltaf two students

3 . 2 Personal n u m be rs a bove 1 2

W h e n co u n t i n g n u m be rs of peo p l e a bove 12, we revert to t h e n o rm a l

co u n t i n g syste m fo r n o u n s

13 trf ghasur deag th irteen boys

14 ceithre dhuine dheag rou rteen people
15 cuig chailfn deag flrteen g i rls
lG s e mhuinteoir deag sixteen tea chers
17 seacht bpeilead6ir deag seventeen rootba llers
18 ocht gcara dheag eig hteen rriends
19 naoi bhfiacl6ir deag n i n eteen dentists
20 fiche muinteoir twenty teachers
30 trfocha cara thirty rriends
 NUM BERS 207

40/50
daichead, caoga buachaill forty/fffty boys
etc
43 tri chailin is daichead forty-th ree g i rls
54 ceithre phaisineir is caoga fffty-fo u r passengers
65 cuig phaisineir is seasca sixty-ff ve passengers
98 ocht bpaisineir is n6cha n i n ety-eig h t passeng ers
208 NUM BERS

4 Ord inal numbers

These a re t h e n u m be rs with w h i c h we d es c ri b e t h e o rd e r i n w h i c h
things come.

I n I ri s h , w e u s u a l ly p l ace t h e a rti c l e an i n fro nt o f t h e o rd i n a l n u m be r

�chead the fi rst

Ti;p
chead a s p i rates t h e n o u n w h i c h fo l l ows if i t beg i n s w i t h a
c o n s o n a n t w h i c h c a n be a s p i rated . I t h a s n o effect o n n o u n s w h i c h
beg i n w i t h vowe l s w i t h d , t o r s .

an chead bl:!ean the first wom a n

an chead duais the first p rize

an chead ait the first place

� the second - the tenth

bean wom a n ait place

2nd an doro bean on doro htiit
3 rd on trfu bean on trfu htiit
4 th on ceathru bean on ceothru htiit
5t h on cuigiu bean on cuigiu htiit
6th an seu bean an seu htiit
7th an seachtu bean an seachtu htiit
8th on t-ochtu bean an t-ochtu htiit
 NUM BERS 209

gth an naou bean an naou htiit

1 0t h an deichiu bean an deichiu htiit
11th an t-aonu bean deag an t-aonu htiit deag
12th an darabean deag an dara htiit deag
1 3t h - an triu bean deag - an triu hait deag -
1 9th an naou bean deag an naou htiit deag
an fichiu, an triochadu, an fichiu, an triochadu,
an daicheadu, an daicheadu,
20t h - an caogadu, an seascadu, an caogadu, an seascadu,
goth an seacht6du, an seacht6du,
an t-ocht6du, an t-ocht6du,
an n6chadu bean an n6chadu htiit
21 st an t-aonu bean is fiche an t-aonu htiit is fiche
32 n d a n dara bean is triocha an dara hait is triocha
45 t h an seu bean is daichead an seu hait is daichead
l OOth an ceadu bean an ceadu htiit
1 0 0 0t h an miliu bean an miliu hait
 ( TIME AND DATE J
1 Time

[LJ To a s k t h e t i m e , we say Cen t-am e? What time is itl

> I f we w i s h to te l l t h e t i m e . we u se t h e cardinal numbers .

Ta se a haon a chlog. It is one o'c lock.

Ta se a d6 a chlog. It is two o'c lock.

c:::> Fo r m o re i nfo rmati o n o n t h e ca rd i n a l n u m be rs , see c h a pter 1 5

cuig go dtf a haon/a d6/etc five to one/two/etc

Tti se deich go dtf a haon/a d6/etc ten to one/two/etc

It is .. ceathru go dtf a haon/a d6/etc q u a rter to one/two/etc
fiche go dtf a haon/a d6/etc twenty to on e/two/etc
fiche a cuig go dtf a haon/a d6/etc twenty-five to one/two/etc

cuig ; ndiaidh a haon/a d6/etc five past one/two/etc

Ta se deich i ndiaidh a haon/a d6/etc ten past one/two/etc

It is ... ceathru i ndiaidh a haon/a d6/etc a quarter past one/two/etc
fiche i ndiaidh a haon/a d6/etc twenty past one/two/etc
fiche a cuig i ndiaidh a haon/a d6/etc twenty-five past one/two/etc

> I f we wa n t to say It is th ree m i n u tes past ten , we say :

Ta se trf n6imead i ndiaidh a deich.

or if we wa n t to say It is twenty eig h t m i n u tes to twelve, we say

 TI ME AND DATE 211

Ta se ocht n6imead is fiche go dtf a do dheag.

[lJ T h e I ri s h w o rd fo r m i d n ig h t i s meanofche, a n d m idday i s meanlae

KEV POI NTS

V' We u s e t h e c a rd i na l n u m be rs to te l l t h e t i m e .
V' i ndiaidh m e a n s past a n d g o dtf m e a n s to .
V' ceathru m ea n s q u a rter a n d leath mea n s h a l f.
212 TI ME AND DATE

2 Days of the week

The d ays of the wee k a p pear in two fo r m s in I ri s h , with e i t h e r t h e

a rti c l e an o r t h e wo rd D e p reced i n g t h e m .

>The a rti c l e an i s u sed w h e n s i m p l y l i st i n g d ays an Luan Monday,

an MhDirt Tuesday

ar an Cheadaoin on a Wedn esda y, on Wednesdays

lnniu an Cheadaoin. Today is Wedn esday

an Cheadaoin ina dhiaidh sin the following Wednesday

>The wo rd De i s u sed w h e n refe r ri n g to (o n ) a s p e c i fi c d ay of t h e wee k

D e Luain seo chugainn n ext M onday

trathn6na De ceadaoin on Wedn esda y even ing

ofche De Mai rt on Tuesday n ig h t

an Luan Monday De Luain on M onday

an M h6irt Tuesday De Mairt on Tuesda y
an Cheadaoin Wedn esday De ceadaoin on Wednesday
an Deardaoin Th u rsday Deardaoin on Th u rsday
an Aoine Friday De hAoine on Friday
an Satharn Sa turday De Sathairn on Saturday
an Domhnach Sunday ) De Domhnaigh on Sunday
/
(1) T h e s p e l l i n g of t h e d ays i s d iffe re n t if p receded by De.
 TI M E AND DATE 213

KEV POINTS

V W h e n we a re s i m p l y l i sti n g t h e d ay s , we p l a ce an i n fro n t of
t h e d ay i n q u esti o n .
V W h e n w e a re ta l k i n g a b o u t o n a s p e c i fi c d ay, w e p l a c e D e i n
fro n t o f t h e d ay i n q u esti o n .
214 TI M E AND DATE

3 Dates

> W h e n we a re s i m p l y l i sti n g t h e m o n t h s , we u s e t h e fo l l ow i n g

Eanciir J a n u a ry
Feabhra Februa ry
Marta M a rch
Aibrecin April
Bea/taine May
Meitheamh June
liiil July
Lunasa August
Mean F6mhair Septem ber
Deireadh F6mhair October
Samhain N ovem ber
Nollaig December

[I] To ask what t h e date i s we say

Cen data atci ann inniu? What is the date today?

>To say what t h e d ate is, we u s e t h e ordinal n u m bers , and the

fo l l ow i n g struct u re

lnniu (today) + day + de mhi + month

[I] T h e s p e l l i n g of t h e month c h a n g es s l i g h t l y after de mhi.

lnniu an chead lei de mhi Eanciir. Today is the first ofJ a n u a ry.

¢ For m o re i nfo rmat i o n o n t h e card i n a l n u m bers, see c h a pter 1 5

)
 TI M E AND DATE 21 5

Date
an chead 16 the first (day)
an dara 16 the second (da y)
an trfu 16 the th ird (day)
an ceathru 16 the fo u rth (day)
an cuigiu 16 the fifth (da y)
an seu 16 the sixth (da y)
an seachtu 16 the seventh (da y)
an t-ochtu 16 the eig hth (day)
an naou 16 the n i n th (da y)
an deichiu 16 the tenth (day)
an t-aonu 16 deag the eleven th (da y)
an dara 16 deag the twelfth (day)
an trfU 16 deag the th irteenth (da y)
an ceathru 16 deag the fou rteenth (da y)
an ciiigiu 16 deag the fifteenth (da y)
an seu 16 deag the sixteenth (day)
an seachtu 16 deag the seventeenth (da y)
an t-ochtu 16 deag the eig h teen th (da y)
an naou 16 deag the nineteenth (da y)
an fichiii 16 the twentieth (da y)
an t-aonu 16 is fiche the twen ty-first (da y)
an dara 16 is fiche the twen ty-second (da y)
an trfu 16 is fiche the twenty-th ird (day)
an ceathru 16 is fiche the twen ty-fo u rth (da y)
an cuigiu 16 is fiche the twenty-fifth (da y)
an seu 16 is fiche the twen ty-sixth (day)
216 TI M E AND DATE

an seachtu 16 is fiche the twenty-seventh (da y)

an t-ochtu 16 is fiche the twenty-eig hth (da y)
an naou la is fiche the twenty-ninth (da y)
an triochadu 16 the thirtieth (da y)
an t-aonu 16 is triocha the thirty-first (da y)

M o nth
de mhf Eanair ofJ a n u a ry
de mhf Feabhra of Februa ry
de mhf an Mhcirta of M a rch
de mhfAibreain ofApri l
de mhf no Bealtaine of M a y
d e m h f an M heithimh ofJ u n e
d e m h f luil ofJ u l y
d e m h f Lunasa ofAugust
de mhf M hean F6mhair of Septem ber
de mhf Dheireadh F6mhair of October
de mhf no Samhna of November
de mhf no Nollag of Decem ber

�POI NTS
V' W h e n we a re sayi n g w h a t t h e date i s , we u s e t h e ord i n a l
n u m be rs .
V' We a l s o m u st u s e a s p e c i a l fo rm of t h e m o n t h s w h e n sayi n g
what d a te i t i s .
 (NAMES AND SURNAMES J
1 Names

N a m e s i n I ri s h a re e i t h e r mascu l i n e o r fe m i n i n e a n d h ave co m m o n ,
vocative a n d g e n i tive fo rms T h e p e rso n a l n a m e s o f m e n a re
mascu l i n e , t h o s e of wo m e n fe m i n i n e .

1 .1 Names of men

T h e re a re t h ree types of m e n's n a m e s :

i. T h o s e t h a t e n d i n a broad consonant
(a c o n s o n a n t p receded by a, o, u)
2. Those that end in a vowel o r slender consonant
(a c o n s o n a n t p reced ed by i, e)
3 . A s m a l l n u m b e r of o t h e r mascu l i n e n a m e s .

>- N a m e s t h a t e n d i n a broad consonant

T h e m a i n c h a n g es w h i c h occ u r a re u n d e rl i n e d . These a re a s p i rati o n a n d

s l e n d e ri z i n g ( p l a c i n g t h e l ette r i befo re t h e l a st l ette r o f t h e w o rd ) .

Exa m p l e s :
Breandan , Catha/, Ciaran , Colman , Donall, Lorean , Peadar, Pol

N ormal Breandan Catha I Donall

A B!1reandain, A C!1athail, bf A D!16naill, ith
ca bhfuil tu ? ciuin! do dhinnear!
Vocative
B rea nddn, Ca tha/, be Donall, eat you r
where a re you ? q u ietl di nner!
21 8 NAM ES AND SU RNAM ES

teach
Bh_reandain teach Ch_athail teach Dl1_6naill
Genitive
B rea ndan's Catha l's h ouse D6nal/'s h ouse
h ouse

> N a m e s that e n d in a vowel or slender consonant

T h e m a i n c h a n g es that occ u r a re u n d e rl i n ed . Th i s i s u s u a l ly a s p i rati o n

Exa m p l es Eoin , Padraig , Ruairi

Normal Eoin Padraig Ruairi

A Eoin, ca A Ph_tidraig, A Ruairi, ith do
bhfuil tu? bi ciuin! dhinnear!
Vocative
Eoin, where a re Padra ig , R u a i ri, ea t you r
you ? b e q u iet! din ner/
teach Eoin teach Ph_tidraig teach Ruairi
Genitive
Eoin's ho use Padra ig's house R u a i ri's h ouse

>Other masc u l i n e names

The c h a n g e s c a n va ry, and i t i s worth l e a rn i n g them i n d iv i d u a l l y

Exa m p l e s Criost6ir, Diarmaid, Aonghas

N ormal Criost6ir Diarmaid Aonghas

A Ch_riost6ir, ca A Dhiarmaid, A Aonghais, ith
bhfuil tu? bi ciuin! do dhinnear
Vocative
Criost6ir, where Diarma id, Aongh as, ea t
� re you ? be q u iet! you r din ner!
J�ach
Cl1_riost6ra teach Ph_tidraig teach Ruairi
Genitive
Criost6ir's Padra ig 's h ouse R u a iri's house
house
 NAM ES AND SURNAM ES 219

1.2 Names of women

These a re m u c h ea s i e r to d e a l with , a n d a p a rt fro m ve ry few

except i o n s , t h e o n ly c h a n g e w h i c h occ u rs is a s p i rati o n .

Exa m p l es : Aine, Eithne, Grainne, Maire, Mairin , Raisin , Sinead

Normal Aine fithne Sinead

A Aine, ca bhfuil A fithne, A Sl:!inead, ith
tu? bi ciuin! do dhinnear!
Vocative
A ine, where a re Eithne, Sinead, eat yo u r
you i be q u iet' dinner!
teach Aine teach Eithne teach Sl:!inead
Genitive
A i ne's h ouse Eith ne's house Sinead's h ouse

KEV PO I NTS

V' T h e re a re t h ree m a i n types of m a s c u l i n e n a m e s i n I ri s h .

V' T h e s p e l l i n g o f m a s c u l i n e n a m e s c a n c h a n g e b y a s p i rati o n
a n d b y slenderizi n g .
V' Fe m i n i n e n a m es a re u s u a l l y o n ly a s p i rated .
220 NAM ES AND SU RNAM ES

2 Surnames

A l o t of s u r n a m e s fo u n d i n I re l a n d h ave O' o r M c/ M a c i n fro n t of

t h e m . These a re a n g l i c i sed vers i o n s of 6 (descenda n t of) a n d Mac
(son of) . The I ri s h vers i o n s of s u rn a m es , h oweve r, h ave m a s c u l i n e .
fe m i n i n e , vocative a n d g e n i tive fo r m s .

2 .1 6 s u rna mes

> 6 s u rn a m e s fo l l owed by c o n s o n a nts that can b e a s p i rated

Mascu line Feminine

Normal
Tomas 6 Ciarain Maire Ni Chiarain
Form
A Thomais Ui Chiarain, A Mhtiire Ni Chia rain,
tar anseo! fan mar a bhfuil tu!
Vocative
Tomas 0 Ciarain, com e M a i re N i Ch i ara i n, sta y
h ere! where you a re!
teach Thomais Ui teach Mhtiire Ni
Genitive Chia rain Chiarain
Tomas 0 Cia rai n 's h ouse M a i re N i Ch i ara i n 's h ouse

> 6 s u rn a m e s fo l l owed by c o n s o n a nts w h i c h can't be a s p i rated :

�asc u l i n e Fem i n i n e
Normal
Form
{,e adar 6 Neachtain Connlaith Ni Laoire

A Pheadair Ui Neachtain, A Chonnlaith Ni Laoire,

seas amach! ca bhfuil do ch6ta!
Vocative
Peada r O Neachta i n , Con n la ith N i Laoire,
sta nd out! where is you r coat ?
 NAMES AND SU RNAM ES 2�

teach Pheadair Ui teach Chonnlaith Ni

Neachtain Laoire
Genitive
Peadar 0 Neachta i n 's Con n la ith N i Laoire's
h ouse h ouse

� 6 s u r n a m e s fo l l owed by vowe l s

M ascu line Feminine

N ormal
Micheal 6 11.Aodha Caitlin Ni Aodha
Form
A Mhicheail UiAodha, bi A Chait/in Ni Aodha,
ciuin! biodh muineadh ort!
Vocative
M icheal 0 hAodh a , be Caitlin Ni Aodha, h a ve
q u iet! some m a n n ers!
teach Mhicheail UiAodha
teach Chait/in Ni Aodha
Genitive M icheal 0 hAod h a 's
Caitlin Ni Aodha's h ouse
h ouse

2.2 Mac s u rna mes

�Mac s u r n a m e s fo l l owed by c o n s o n a nts that can be a s p i rated :

Mascu line Feminine

Normal
Seamus Mac Mathuna Sorcha Nie Mhathiina
Form
A Sheamuis M hic A Shorcha Nie M!J.athiina,
M!J.athuna, suigh sios! cad e a rinne tu?
Vocative
Sea m us Mac M at h u n a , Sorcha N ie M a t h u n a ,
sit down ! what have you done?
teach Sheamuis M hic teach Shorcha Nie
Mhathiina Mhathiina
Genitive
Sea m us M a c M a t h u n a 's Sorcha Nie M hath u n a 's
h ouse ho use
222 NAM ES AN D SURNAM ES

>Mac s u r n a m e s fo l l owed by c o n s o n a nts w h i c h can't b e a s p i rated

i n c l u d e s u rn a m e s beg i n n i n g with the l ette r c, eve n t h o u g h t h i s l ette r
c a n u s u a l l y be a s p i rated

Masc u l i n e Fem i n i n e
Normal
Peadar Mac Coin nigh N6irfn Nie Coin nigh
Form
A Pheadair Mhie
A N6irfn Nie Coinnigh,
Cionnaigh, nci dean
cci bhfuil tu?
Vocative sin!
N6irin N ie Coi n n ig h ,
Peadar Mac Coi n n ig h ,
where a re you ?
I don't do that!
teach Pheadair M hic teach N6irfn Nie
Cionnaigh Coin nigh
Genitive
Peadar Mac Coin n igh's N6irfn N i c Coi n n ig h's
h ouse house

>Mac s u rn a m e s fo l l owed by vowe l s :

Masc u l i n e Fe m i n i n e
Normal
Marcos Mac Oscair Sfle Nie Oscair
Form
A M harcais M hie Oscair, A Shfle Nie Oscair, cuir
cuidigh liom! ort do ch6ta!
Vocative
M a rcus M a c Osca i r, help Sfle N ie Osca ir, pu t on
me1 yo u r coat!
teach Mharcais Mhie
Oscair teach Shfle Nie Oscair
Genitive
M a rcos M a c Osca r's Sfle N ie Osca r's h ouse
h o use
 NAM ES AN D SURNAM ES 223

2 .3 6 a n d Mac as s u rnames by marriage

>- I f a wo m a n m a rries a man with an 6 s u rn a m e . 6 c h a n g e s to Uf:

S o , if Conn/aith Ni Laoire ma rries Sean 6 Briain , h e r n a m e c h a n g es to
Connlaith Ui Bhriain , l i tera l l y m ea n i n g 6 Briain's Conn/aith l

>- I f a wo m a n m a rries a m a n with a Mac s u r n a m e , Mac c h a n g es to

M hic: So, if Sorcha Nie M hathuna ma rries Marcos Mac Oscair, h e r
n a m e c h a n g e s t o Sorcha Mhic Oscair. l i tera l l y m ea n i n g Mac Oscair's
Sorcha !

K E V POI NTS

V 6 c h a n g es to Nf w h e n t h e s u rn a m e is fe m i n i n e .
V 6 c h a n g e s t o U i i n t h e vocative a n d g e n i tive cases .
V Mac c h a n g es to Nie w h e n t h e s u rn a m e i s fe m i n i n e .
V Mac c h a n g e s t o M hic i n t h e vocative a n d g e n itive cases.
 [ PLACE NAM ES J

T h e vast m aj o rity of p l ace n a m e s i n I re l a n d c o m e fro m t h e o ri g i na l

I ri s h b u t n o w a p pe a r l a rg e l y i n t h e i r A n g l i c ized fo r m s . Like m o st
o t h e r n o u n s , p lace n a m e s h ave d iffe re n t fo r m s , d e p e n d i n g o n
t h e i r case.

> I reland

T h e re i s s o m eti m e s confu s i o n about t h e d iffe re nt ve rs i o n s of t h e I ri s h

n a m e fo r I re l a n d . B a s i c a l ly, t h e re a re t h ree fo r m s reg u l a rl y see n .

\ • t h e n o r m a l fo rm : Eire

Ta Eire chun tosaigh sa I re/and is a h ea d i n the game

chluiche.

Ta Eire ag imirt go maith I rela n d is playing well today

inniu.

• the d ative Eirinn

Bhi me in Eirinn i rith I was in I reland d u ri ng the su m mer

an tsamhraidh.

• t h e g e n i tive : Eireann

Ta muintir na hEireann I rish people a re very rriendly

iontach cairdiuil.

>The provinces of I reland

Th e re a re fo u r p rov i n ces in I re l a n d and t h e i r names h ave d i sti n ctive

 PLACE NAM ES 225

fo rms i n t h e g e n itive. Th ey a l so have a dj ectives associ ated w i t h t h e m

to d e s c r i b e peo p l e fro m that p rov i n ce

N o rmal
Gen itive Adjective
Form
cuige Uladh
Ultach
U lster Ulaidh the provin ce o r
a person rrom U lster
Ulster
Cuige Laighean Laighneach
Leinster Laighin the province o r a person rrom
Leinster Leinster
Cuige Mumhan M uimhneach
M u nster M umhain the provin ce o r a person rrom
M u nster M u nster
Cuige Chonnacht Connachtach
Con naught Connachta the province o r a person rrom
Con n a ug h t Con naught

>Counties

Th e re a re t h i rty-two c o u nties in I re l a n d , each of w h i c h has a n o r m a l

fo rm a n d a g e n itive fo rm . To h i g h l i g h t t h i s t h e fo l l owi n g ta b l e s h ows
the g e n i tive fo rm afte r the wo rd contae cou n ty.

Cou nty Gen itive

Aontroim An trim Contae Aontroma
Ard M hacha Armag h Contae Ard Mhacha
an Cabhtin Cava n Contae an Chabhtiin
Doire Derry Contae Dhoire
An Dun Down Contae an Duin
U lster
Dun na nGall/Tfr Chonaill Contae DhUn na nGall/
Doneg a l Contae Th fr Chonaill
FearManach Fermanagh Contae Fhear Manach
Muineachan M o n ag h a n Contae Mhuineachtiin
Tfr Eoghain Tyron e Contae Thfr Eoghain
226 PLACE NAM ES

Baile Atha Cliath D u bl i n Contae Bhaile Atha Cliath

Ceatharlach Carlow Contae Cheatharlach
Cill Dara l<ildare Contae Chill Dara
Cill M hantciin Wicklow Contae Chill Mhantciin
an larmhf Westmeath Contae na hlarmhf
Leinster Laois Laois Contae Laoise
Loch Garman Wexford Contae Loch Garman
Longfort Longfort Contae Longfoirt
Lu Louth contae Lu
an Mhf M eath Contae na Mf
Ufbh Fhailf Offa l y Contae Ufbh Fhailf
Gaillimh G a lway Contae na Gaillimhe
Liatroim Leitrim Contae Liatroma
Con n a ug h t Maigh Eo M a yo Contae M haigh Eo
Ros Comciin Roscommon Contae Ros Comciin
Sligeach Sligo Contae Shligigh
Ciarraf l<erry Contae Chiarraf
an Clar Cla re Contae an Chlciir
Corcaigh Corl< Contae Chorcaf
M u nster
Luimneach Limerick Contae Luimnigh
Port Lciirge Waterford Contae Phort Lciirge
Tiobrciid Arann Tippera ry Contae Thiobrciid Arann

>-The article with place names

A l ot of p l ace n a m es in I ri s h , w h eth e r t h ey a re tow n s , c i t i e s o r eve n

rive rs , c a n be p receded by t h e d efi n ite a rt i c l e an, eve n t h o u g h the d oes
not a p pea r in the A n g l i c ised vers i o n .

A n tlur N ewry

An 6maigh Omagh

An Bh6inn River Boyne

An Longfort Longfort
 PLACE NAM ES 227

� Adjectives and nouns from place names

Ofte n a dj ectives a n d n o u n s w h i c h d es c ri b e n a t i o n a l i ty o r re lati o n s h i ps

w i t h p rovi n ces o r tow n s a re fo rmed fro m p l a c e n a m e s .

Country/Cou nty Adjective/N o u n

An Fhrainc Fra nce Francach French/French person
Sasana Eng l and Sasanach Eng lish/Eng lish person
Gearmanach
An Ghearmain Germ a n y
Germ a n/Germ a n person
Tfr Chonaill Doneg a l Conallach Doneg a l person
An Eoraip E u rope Eorpach E u ropea n/E u ropea n person

� Place names i n the genitive

I f the a rt i c l e c o m e s b efo re the p l ace n a m e , t h e n we a p p l y the s a m e

r u l e s as w e wo u l d to a d efi n ite n o u n i n t h e g e n itive c a s e .

Place n a m e Gen itive

an Teampall M6r muintir an Teampaill M h6ir
Templemore the people ofTemplemore
an M ullach Ban peilead6irf an Mhullaigh Bh6in
M u ffag h bawn the M u ffagh bawn footbal lers

c::> See sect i o n 3 3 of c h a pter 2 o n t h e g e n i tive

 ( PREFIXES AND SU F F I XES J
What a re prefixes a n d suffixes?
A p refi x is a g ro u p of l etters a d d ed to t h e beg i n n i n g of a wo rd to
a l t e r its m ea n i n g , w h i l st a s uffi x is a g ro u p of l etters a d d ed to t h e
e n d of a w o rd to a l t e r i t s m ea n i n g

1 Prefixes

�A hyp h e n is never writte n betwe e n p refixes a n d t h e beg i n n i n g of t h e

wo rd u n l e s s it i s b etwe e n two vowe l s :

r6-ard too ta ll
B UT
r6bheag too small

o r after an- (wh i c h i s a p refix w hich i n t e n s i fi e s m ea n i n g )

an-chiuin very q u iet

or after dea-

dea-dhuine a n ice person

� S o m e p refi xes c a u s e a s p i rati o n to the b eg i n n i n g of the fo l l owi n g

w o rd

cliste intelligent b u t

carcl!liste extremely intelligent

�At t i m e s we can't t ra n s l ate the exa m p l e s with t h e exact m ea n i n g of

the p refi x . F o r exa m p l e , the p refi x dian (intense), ca n b e used i n
diangl!ra a s t h e w o rd fo r true love.
 PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES 229

Prefix Meaning Exam ples

an-bheag very small
an-mh6r very big
an- very an-ltiidir very strong
an-16 a g reat day
an-cheo very th ick fog
ardchaighdean h ig h sta n d a rd
ardmheara lord mayor
ard h ig h/m a i n
ardmheas g reat respect, esteem
ardoifig head office
dianghra intense love
dianobair intense work
dian i n tense
dianmhaith very good
dianchursa a crash cou rse
fiorchinnte a bsol utely s u re
fiorbheagan extremely l ittle
fior true/extremely
fiordheas extremely n ice
fiormhaith extremely good
ltinbhuioch very than kfu l
ltin fu l l/tota lly ltinsasta tota lly h a ppy
ltintoilteanach fu lly willing
r6-ard too h a rd
r6bheag too small
r6 too
r6-iseal too low
r6mh6r too big
sarchliste extremely intelligent
stir extremely sarmhaith extremely good
sar-oilte extremely well educa ted
un-/in ( m a kes mibheasach u n m a n nerly
mi the m ea n i n g micheart incorrect
o p pos i te) mi-amharach u n l u cky
230 PREFIXES AN D SU FFIXES

un-/in/ir neamhchoitianta u n common

( m a kes t h e neamhghnach u n usual
neamh
m ea n i n g neamhrialta irreg u la r
o p p o s i te) neamhbheo dead (u n l iving)
aisioc repay
ais re-
aiseirf resu rrection
dea-ainm good n a m e
dea-bheasach well m a n n ered
dea- n ice/good
dea-dhuine a good person
dea-thoil good will
meanaosta m iddle aged
meanscoil seconda ry (m iddle) school
mean m iddle/med i u m
meanlae m idday
meanofche m i d n ig h t
priomhchathair capital (ma i n ) city
priomh main priomhoide h eadmaster
priomhdhoras m a i n door
reamhobair prepa ra tory work
reamh before reamhthaispeantas preview
reamhaisneis forecast
siorbhtiisteach consta n t ra in
eterna l/
sior siorchaint consta nt ta l l<
consta nt
siorchaoineadh consta n t crying
 PREFIXES AND SU FFIXES 231

2 Suffixes

>The fo l l owi n g a re d i m i n u tive suffi xes , i . e , t h ey m a ke t h e w o rd to

w h i c h t h ey a re a d d ed s m a l l -tin , -fn , -6g .

Suffix Exam ples

b6than cnoctin sruthtin
-tin
a small h u t a h i l lock a small strea m
capaillfn asailfn teachfn
-fn
a small horse a small don key a cottage
btib6g mfolt6g sf6g
-6g
a doll a m idge a fa i ry

>The s uffi xes -aire, -am h, -f, -eir, -6ir a n d -uir a re u sed fo r p rofes s i o n s
o r fo r s o m e o n e w h o carries o u t a n acti o n o n a reg u l a r ba s i s , l i ke t h e
s uffi x -er i n E n g l i s h i n teach�

Suffix Exa m ples

iascaire pfobaire teachtaire
-a ire
a fisherm a n a piper a messenger
breitheamh ollamh
-amh
a judg e professor
greasaf seanchaf tiomtinaf
-f
a shoema ker a storyteller a driver
buisteir siUineir
-eir
a butcher a joiner
btid6ir ceolt6ir muinteoir
-6ir
a boatma n a m usician a teacher
dochtuir saighdiuir ttiilliuir
-uir
a doctor a soldier a ta ilor
232 PREFIXES AN D SUFFIXES

'>We a l so can attac h s uffi xes to n o u n s to c reate a dj ective s . These

s uffi xes a re -ach , -do , -go , -mhar, -ta and -lan n .

Suffix Exa m ples

cnocach feargach gn6thach Gaelach
-ach
hilly a n g ry busy I rish
Ga Ilda runda seanda
-do
foreig n secretive a n cient
beoga diaga rioga
-go
lively divine roya l
briomhar ciallmhar gl6rmhar
-mhar
lively sensible g lorious
faiseanta naisiunta
-ta
fashionable n a tiona l
-ach
Albanach Francach Sasanach
(wi t h
Scottish French Eng lish
p e rso n )
-lann amharclann leabharlann
(a p l a ce) theatre libra ry

KEY POI NTS

V' P refi xes a re a d d ed to t h e b eg i n n i n g of a w o rd a n d c h a n g e

i t s m ea n i n g .
V' Prefixes c a n s o meti m e s a s p i rate .
V' S uffi xes c o m e at t h e e n d of a wo rd .
 ( MAIN I N D EX J
A adj ectives 6 , 7, 56-57
Adj ectives 30-58 Art i c l e : see an
Adj ective s : Attrib utive as, see a lso Prepos i t i o n s 1 6 , 2 9 , 1 71 . 1 73 .
adj ective ( Pl u ra l ) 31- 35, 37. 42 , 43 1 77. 179. 1 8 6-1 87
Adj ective s : Attrib utive As p i rati o n 1 - 5 , 1 6 , 1 8 , 1 9 , 69, 1 1 3 . 1 2 0 ,
adj ective (Si n g u l a r) 30-42 , 49. 58 1 8 0 , 1 83 , 1 88 , 217, 21 8 , 21 9, 228
Adj ectives : Co m p a rative 45-48 Asp i rati o n : adj ectives 4
Adj ective s : As p i rati o n n o u n s 1
Comparison of adjectives 44 As p i rati o n verbs 5
Adj ectives: Dative case ( Pl u ra l ) 35 B
Adj ective s : Dative case (Si n g u l a r) 31 , 35 Be: H a b i t u a l Prese n t Tense 99
Adj ective s : Deg ree of e q u a l ity 44 Be: I m m ed iate Prese n t Tense loo
Adj ectives: G e n d e r of adj ective 30-32, bhur. see a lso
37-42 Possessive adj ectives 7, 5 6 , 57
Adj ective s : G e n i tive case ( P l u ra l ) 42-43
c
Adj ective s : G e n i tive case (S i n g u l a r)
- M ascu l i n e n o u n 37-39
ca I car, see a lso Pa rti cles 1 33-1 34
Adj ective s : G e n i tive case (S i n g u l a r) Ca rd i na l N u m be rs 1 97-2 04
- Fe m i n i n e n o u n 39-42
Case, see a lso Dative ,
Adj ectives: G e n itive, Vocative 16
Possessive Adj ective 3 .7. 56-57, 1 03
Categ o r i z i n g verbs 61-62
Adj ectives chuig , see a lso Prepositions 16, 2 9 , 1 71 .
1 73 . 1 77. 179, 1 8 6
Pred i cative adj ective 30, 49, 5 8
Adj ective s : S u pe rlative 45-48
Co m m o n fo rm of n o u n 1 0-1 4
Adj ectives: Ve rba l adj ective 49-5 5 , 58
�m�� l�
Adj ectives : Ve rba l adj ective e n d i n g s Co m parison 44
50-5 5
Com parative 44-47
Adj ective s : Vocative case ( Pl u ra l ) 37
Co m p o u n d p repositions 1 6 , 17. 1 77
Adj ectives Vocative case Co n d i t i o n a l mood 5 9 , 1 2 0 , 1 2 2 , 1 2 3 . 1 2 5 .
(S i n g u l a r) 31 , 36 1 2 6 , 1 2 8 , 1 3 0 . 1 3 2 . 1 3 3 . 1 3 5 . 1 3 6-1 49,
Adverb 1 6 5-1 70 1 51 . 1 5 2 . 1 53 . 1 54 . 1 5 5 . 1 5 6 , 1 5 8 , 1 5 9
Adve rb : com pass 169
C o n d i t i o n a l : As p i ration of verbs 5 , 1 50
Adve r b : d i rect i o n 1 68-1 6 9, 1 70
Co n d itiona l : Co p u l a i n
Adve r b : fo rmed fro m t h e conditional 144. 1 58
adj ectives 1 6 5 , 170
Conditiona l :
Adve r b : t i m e 1 66-1 67, 1 70
Fi rst conj u ncti o n verbs 1 37-1 39
ag . see a lso Prepos i t i o n s 2, 6, 1 6 , 1 7. 29, 3 0 , Co n d itiona l : l rreg u l a r verbs 1 44-149
s o . 1 01 , 1 71 . 1 73 . 177-1 81 ,
Co n d itiona l :
1 83-1 87, 1 9 0-1 91 . 1 93-1 94 N e g ative 1 37. 1 43 . 1 44-1 4 9 , 1 57
an l, 1 1 3 , 1 1 6 , 1 79-1 81
C o n d i t i o n a l : Positive 1 3 6-1 37
ar. see a lso Prepositions 2, 1 6 , 2 9 , 1 71 . 1 72 . C o n d i t i o na l : Q u esti o n fo rm 1 37, 1 44-1 49
1 74. 1 77. 1 79-1 8 1 , 1 83-1 84 , 1 8 6 Conditiona l :
a r . see a lso Pa rtic l e s . Second conj u n ct i o n verbs 136. 1 39-142
Rel ative c l a u ses 3 , 5, 70-77.
Conj u gations 61
1 1 4 , 1 1 8 , 1 21 -1 2 2 , 1 2 6 ,
Co nj u gations Fi rst 61 , 63, 64, 68, 6 9 ,
78-79, 8 0 , 89-9 0 , 1 3 6 ,
1 57. 1 5 8-1 59, 1 94
1 37-1 39, 1 5 0 . 1 51 -1 5 3 , 1 62
ar, see a lso Possesive
234 MAI N I N DEX

Conj u gati o n s : Seco n d 61 , 62, 65, 66, E n d i n g s Adj ectives 36-43 , 46, 50-55
6 8 , 69, 70 , 80-81 , 8 2 , 89, 91-92 , Endings: Nouns l 0-1 4 , 21 , 36
1 3 6 , 1 3 0-1 42 , 1 5 0 , 1 53-1 5 6 , 1 63 E n d i n g s Ve rbs 61 , 6 2 , 63-67,
Co p u l a 3 , 1 01 -1 1 9 78-82, 89-93
Cop u l a : Classification F
S e n tences 1 01 -1 07, 1 1 3 , 1 1 4 , 1 1 5 faoi. see a lso
Co p u l a : Prepositi o n s 2 , 1 6 , 29 1 71 , 1 72 ,
I d e nt i fi cati o n Sentences 1 01 , 1 0 8-1 1 2 , 1 73 . 1 77. 179. 1 6
113, 114, 115 Fe m i n i n e : Adj ectives 31 , 3 2 , 4 5 , 5 6 , 57
Cop u l a : Fe m i n i n e N o u n s 1 , 4 , 8 , 9, 1 0 , 1 2-1 4 , 1 8 ,
I n te rrogative p ro n o u n s 1 04 , 1 09-1 1 0 1 9 -21 , 2 3 , 24 . 2 5 , 27, 2 8 , 31 ,
Co p u l a 3 2 , 37, 39, 1 1 7, 1 2 9 , 1 8 2 , 1 84 , 1 8 5
N egative fo rm 101, 1 04 , 1 0 5 , F u t u re Te nse 59. 89-98
1 07, 1 1 0 , 1 1 1 , 1 1 2 F u t u re Te nse Fi rst conj u gation 89-90
Co p u l a : F u t u re Te n s e : I rreg u l a r verbs 93-98
N egative q u estion fo rm 1 01 , 1 0 5 , F u t u re Te n s e : Seco nd conj u g ation 91-92
111, 118
G
Cop u l a : Own e rs h i p 1 1 6-1 1 9
Co p u l a Past tense 1 1 3-1 1 5
G e n d e r, see a lso
Co p u l a Q u est i o n fo rm 1 0 1 , 1 0 5-1 0 6 ,
Fem i n i n e , M ascu l i n e 8, 3 0 , 31
1 1 0-l l l , 1 1 8
G e n itive case , see a lso
Co p u l a : Adj ectives , N o u n s 1, 3, 4 , 6 , 9 , 1 6-1 7
1 8-21 , 31 , 3 6 , 37-43
Repo rted s p e e c h (n egative) 1 07, 1 1 2
Co p u l a go, see a lso Prepositi o n s 1 71 , 1 73 , 1 77.
Repo rted speech (posit ive) 1 0 6-1 07, go, see also Pa rticles 1 27-1 28
1 1 1 -1 1 2 , 1 1 8-1 1 9
gur, see a lso Co p u la,
Co u nties 225-226
Pa rticles 1 0 6-1 07, 1 1 1 -1 1 2 ,
1 1 5 , 1 1 8-1 1 9 , 1 27
D
H
d6, see a lso Pa rticles 1 34-1 3 5
Dates 214-21 6
H a b itua l : H a b i t u a l Present
Days of t h e wee k 21 2-21 3
tense of verb 'to be'. 99
Dative Case 1 5-1 6 , 31, 35, 1 71 , 224
de, see a lso Pre p o s i t i o n s 2, 1 6 , 1 7, 1 71 . i, see a lso Pre p o s i t i o n s 1 6 , 1 72 ,
1 72 , 1 77. 179. 1 8 6 176, 178, 1 7 9
Deg rees o f com parison 44 I d e ntifi cati o n s e n t e n c e s :
Deg ree of eq u i a l i ty 44 see Co p u l a
Descri b i n g word s : see adj ectives I m m e d iate p resent tense
D i rect re lative c l a u s e 1 8 9-1 92 verb 'to be': see be
D i rect re lative parti c l e a 190 I m pe rative 5 9 , 60. 63-67, 1 21
D i recti o n : see adverbs I m p e rative : I rreg u l a r verbs 67
do, see a lso Prepositi o n s 2 9 , 1 71 , 1 73 . I m p e rative: Fi rst conj u g ation 63-65
1 77. 179. 1 87 I m p e rative : N egative 66-67
E
I m p e rative : Seco nd conj u g at i o n 65-66
E c l i pses 6-7
Is, see a lso Co p u l a 1 01 -1 03 ,
1 0 8-1 0 9 , 1 1 3 , 1 1 6
E c l i pses: N o u n s 6-7, 1 6 , 57, 200
E c l i pses: Ve rbs 7, 8 2 , 9 3 ,
I n struct i o n s : see I m p e rative
1 21 -1 2 9 , 136, 1 43 .
I nterrogative parti c l e s see Pa rti c l e s
E m phatic fo r m s I nte rrogative Pro n o u n s 1 0 9,114
of p ro n o u n s 24 . 27, 1 0 8-1 09
I re l a n d ( p l ace n a m e) 224
I rreg u l a r verbs 5 5 , 5 9 , 6 0 , 61 67, 71 -77.
 M A I N I N DEX 235

83-88, 93-98, 1 21 , 1 2 2 , 1 8-1 9, 21 , 23-2 5 , 27, 31 -32 ,

1 24 , 1 2 8 , 1 3 0 , 1 3 2 . 1 34 . 37-39, 1 0 9 . 1 1 7, 1 8 3 , 1 8 5
1 44-149, 1 58-1 59, 1 9 1 . 1 94 . 1 9 5 . N o u n s P l u ra l 2 , 4 , 6 , 8-1 4 , 21 , 31 ,
I rreg u l a r verbs: 34. 42-43 , 1 1 7, 2 0 5
C o n d i t i o n a l mood 1 44-1 49 Nouns: Singular 2 , 4, 9-1 4 , 2 0 , 31
I rreg u l a r verbs: F u t u re tense 93-98 N o u n s : Dative case 1 5 . 31 , 3 5 , 1 71
I rreg u l a r verbs : I m pe rative 67 N u m be rs
I rreg u l a r verbs : Passive 1 58-1 5 9 Ca rd i n a l n u m be rs 1 97-204, 21 0-21 1 , 21 4
I rreg u l a r verbs : Past tense 71-77 N u m bers
I rreg u l a r verbs : Present tense 83-88 O rd i n a l n u m be rs 208-209, 21 4 , 21 6
L N u m bers: Perso n a l n u m be rs 20 5-207
La n g uages 1 4 . 1 03 0
le. see a lso Copu la, 6, see a lso Prepositions 1 6 , 29, 1 6 9. 1 72 .
Prepos i t i o n s 16, 2 9 , 44 , 1 01 , 1 1 6-1 1 9 , 1 73 . 1 77. 1 79. 1 8 6
172, 1 73 . 1 77. 1 8 6 O rd e rs a n d i n structions see I m perative
M O rd i n a l see N u m be rs
ma, see a lso Pa rticles 5 , 1 34-1 3 5 p
mura, see a lso Pa rticles 7 , 1 27. 1 31 , 1 6 1 , 1 64 Pa r t i c l es 5 , 7, 1 2 0-1 3 5
mo, see also Possessive adj ectives 3, 56, 1 03 Pa rti c l es D i rect re lative pa rticle 125
M onths 1 6 6-1 67, 21 4 , 21 6 Pa rticles I m pe rative parti c l e 1 21
M ood see C o n d i t i o n a l mood Pa rticles
more: see Com parative I n d i rect re lative part i c l e 1 2 6 , 1 94
most see S u perlative Pa rticles I n te rrogative particle 1 21 -1 24
N Pa rti c l es
nach , see a lso Co p u la, N egative verba l pa rti c l e 1 2 0-1 21
Rel ative c l a u ses 1 0 5 , 1 0 6.1 07, m, 113. Pa r t i c l e s :
1 1 4-1 1 5 , 1 9 1 . 1 9 5 N egative i n te rrogat ive part i c l e 123
nor. see a lso Relative c l a u ses 1 91 , 1 9 5 Passive 1 5 0-1 59
N a mes 1 4-1 5 , 1 0 3 . 1 1 6 , 1 7 5 . Pa ssive F i rst conj u gat i o n 1 50-1 53
21 7-21 9, 224-227 Passive l rreg u l a r cerbs 1 5 8-1 5 9
N a m i n g word s : see N o u n s Passive Q u estion fo rm 1 57
N egative: Co n d i t i o n a l m o o d 1 2 0-1 2 3 , Passive:
1 3 0 , 1 3 2 . 1 43-1 4 5 Second conj u g ation 1 5 0 . 1 53-1 56
N egative F ut u re tense 1 2 0-1 2 3 , 1 57 Past tense 3 , 5 , 5 9 , 68-71 , 1 01 , 1 1 3 ,
N egative I m perative 66 1 1 7-1 3 5 , 1 4 9 . 1 50-1 5 5 , 1 57.
N egat ive Prese nt tense 1 2 0 . 1 2 3 , 131 1 59 . 1 6 6 , 1 9 0-1 9 1 , 1 94-1 9 5
N egative: Past tense 71 , 1 2 0-1 21 . Past t e n s e : Fi rst conj u gation 68-71
1 23-1 3 4 , 1 3 1 -1 3 2 Past t e n s e : I rreg u l a r verbs 71 -77
Nouns 8-21 Pa st tense : Q u estion fo rrr 70-77
N o u n s : Co m m o n fo rm 10, 1 2-1 4 , Past tense: Second conj u g ation 68-71
1 9 . 3 2 , 42-43 Perso n a l n u m bers 1 97. 20 5-207
N o u n s Co m p o u n d 3 Perso n a l p ro n o u n s 22-2 8 . 1 0 2
N o u n s Dative case 1 5-1 6 , 31 , 3 5 . 1 71 . 224 Place names 1 03 . 224-227
N o u n s : Fe m i n i n e n o u n s 1 , 1 2-1 4 , 1 9-21 . Pl u ra l Adj ectives 31-3 5 , 37, 42-43 , 56
23-2 5 , 27. 31 -32 , 37. 3 9 . Pl u ra l : N o u n s 2 . 6 , 8-1 4 , 21 , 42-43
1 0 9 , 1 1 7, 1 2 9 . 1 8 2 , 1 84-1 8 5 Possess i o n 1 6 , 56-57, 1 1 6-1 1 7
N o u n s : G e n itive case 3 , 4 , 6 , 9, 1 6-21 , Possessive adj ectives 7, 56-57, 1 03
31 , 42-43 , 172 Pred i cative adj ectives 30 , 49, 58
N o u n s : Mascu l i n e n o u n s 1 , 8 , 1 0-1 2 , 1 5 . P refixes 228-23 0 , 232
236 MAI N I N DEX

Prepositional p ro n o u n s 22, 29 s
Prepos i t i o n s 2 , 6 , 1 5-1 6 , 5 0 , 1 0 1 . S u bj u n ctive 1 60-1 64
1 1 6-1 1 8 , 1 71-1 8 8 , 1 93 S u bj u n ctive Fi rst conj u ncti o n 1 62
Prepositio n s : S u bj u n ctive Seco n d conj u nction 1 63
Co m p o u n d p repositions 1 6 , 1 71 -1 72 S u ffixes 228 , 231 -232
Prepositions sula / sular
P l u ra l a rt i c l e 1 8 6-1 87 see a lso Pa rt i c l es 1 27, 1 29-1 3 0 ,
Prepos i t i o n s 1 6 1 , 1 64
S i m p l e p repositi o n s 1 71 , 1 73-1 8 8 S u pe rlative 44-48
Prepositions S u rnames 220-223
S i n g u lar article 1 79-1 8 5 T
Present tense 78-88, 99-1 0 0 thar, see a lso Prepositi o n s 2 , 1 72 , 176,
Present tense 1 77. 179. 186
Fi rst conj u g ation 78-80 thart, see a lso Prepositions 1 6 , 1 67
Present tense H a b i t u a l Ti m e 21 0-21 1
p resent t e n s e (ve rb t o be) trf, see a lso N u m bers 3 , 1 07, 1 9 8 , 1 99 .
Present tense I m m e d i ate 200-204, 206-207, 21 0
p resent tense trf, see a lso
(verb to be) 99-1 0 0 Prepos i t i o n s 2 , 1 6 , 1 77. 1 7 9 , 1 8 6
Present tense
u
I rreg u l a r verbs 83-88 , 1 21 -1 2 2 ,
1 24 , 1 94-1 9 5
um,
Present tense see a lso Pre p o s i t i o n s 2 , 1 6 , 1 72 , 1 73 .
1 77, 1 7 9 . 1 8 6
Q u estion fo rm 82-88, 1 3 6-1 37, 1 94
Present te n s e : v
Second conj u gation 78 , 80-82 Ve rbal adj ective s : see Adj ectives
Pro n o u n s 22-29 Ve rbal n o u n s 17

�
Pro n o u n s : Pers o n a l p ro n o u n s
Pr- n o u n s :
re positi o n a l p ro n o u n s
22-28

22 , 29
Ve rbal pa rt i c l e s , see a lso Pa rticles
Ve rbs
Ve rbs Co n d i t i o n a l mood
120
59-1 64
5 9 , 1 3 6-1 5 9
.
Pr n u nc1at1on 1 Ve rbs
Prov i n ces 224-225 , 227 Fi rst conj u g ati o n 61 , 63-64, 6 8 ,
78-82, 89-91 , 1 37-1 3 9 , 1 5 0-1 5 3 , 1 62
Q Ve rbs
Q u esti o n s : C o n d i t i o n a l tense 1 43
Q u est i o n s : F u t u re tense F u t u re tense 59, 89-98,
93
1 51 -1 5 6 , 1 58-1 5 9
Q u esti o n s : Past tense 70-71
Q u est i o n s : Present tense 82
Ve rbs I m perative 59-60 , 63-67
Ve rbs I m perative i r reg u l a r 67
R Ve rbs
Rel ative c l a u ses 1 9 8-1 9 6 I rreg u l a r verbs 67, 71-77, 83-88 ,
Rel ative c l a u s e D i rect 1 89-1 9 2 , 1 9 6 93-98, 1 44-149, 1 58-1 5 9
Rel ative c l a u s e : Ve rbs: Past tense 68-77. 149-1 5 1 , 1 57, 1 5 9
D i rect re lative parti c l e a 190 Ve rbs: Present tense 78-88 , 99-1 0 0
Rel ative c l a u se I n d i rect 1 93-1 9 6 Ve rbs
Rel ative c l a u s e Second conj u gation 61-62 , 6 5 - 6 6 ,
I n d i rect telative parti c l e a 1 94-1 9 5 6 8 - 6 9 , 78 , 80-82 , 8 9 ,
roimh , 9 1 - 9 3 , 1 3 6 , 1 39-1 42 ,
see a lso Prepositions 2 , 2 9 , 1 72 , 1 73 , 1 50-1 51 , 1 53-1 5 6 , 1 63
1 77. 179, 1 8 1 , 1 84 , 1 8 6 Vocative case 2, 1 5 . 31 , 36-37, 21 7-223
 (VERB TABLESJ
I NTRO D U CTI O N

T h e Verb Tables i n t h e fo l l ow i n g sect i o n c o n ta i n 2 6 ta b l e s o f I ri s h verbs

(1 1 i rreg u l a r and 15 reg u l a r) in a l p ha b etica l o rd e r. Each ta b l e s h ows you the
fo l l ow i n g fo r m s : Present, Past, Future, Present s u bj u n ctive, Conditi o n a l ,
I m perative a n d t h e Verbal n o u n a n d Verbal adjective . F o r m o re
i nfo rmati o n o n t h e s e t e n s e s , h ow t h ey a re fo r m e d , w h e n they a re u s e d
a n d so o n , y o u s h o u l d l o o k at t h e secti o n o n Verbs i n t h e m a i n text .

T h e Verb I ndex at t h e e n d of t h i s sect i o n c o n ta i n s ove r 5 0 0 v e r b s , each of

w h i c h i s c ross-refe rred to o n e of t h e verbs g iv e n i n t h e Ve rb Ta b l e s . T h e ta b l e
s h ows t h e patte r n s t h a t t h e verb l i sted i n t h e i n d ex fo l l ows .
VERB TABLES

i abair (to say, s i n g )

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

deirim d e i re me
d e i r tu d e i re t u
d e i r se d e i re se
d e i r sf d e i re s f
d e i ri m i d deirimid
deir sibh d e i re s i b h
d e i r said d e i re s i a d
d e i rtea r ''' d e i rtea r ''

PAST I M PE RATIVE
d u i rt m e a b ra i m
d u i rt t u abai r
d u i rt s e a b ra d h se
d u i rt s f a b ra d h s f
d u ra m a r a b ra i m i s
d u i rt s i b h a b ra i g f
d u i rt s a i d a b ra i d fs
d u ra d h " d e i rtea r"'

FUTURE CON DITIONAL

d e a rfa i d h me d e a rfa i n n
d e a rfa i d h tu d ea rfa
d e a rfa i d h se d e a rfad h se
d e a rfa i d h sf d e a rfad h sf
d e a rfa i m i d d e a rfa i m i s
d e a rfa i d h s i b h d e a rfad h s i b h
d e a rfa i d h s a i d d e a rfa i d fs
dea rfa r ''' d ea rfaf"'

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

ra ra ite

' autonomous fo rm 2
 VERB TABLES

2 bei r (to g i ve b i rt h to , l ay etc)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

beirim b e i re m e
b e i rea n n t u b e i re t u
b e i rea n n s e b e i re s e
bei rea n n s f b e i re s f
b e i ri m i d b e i ri m i d
b e i rea n n s i b h b e i re s i b h
b e i rea n n s a i d b e i re s i a d
b e i rtea r ''' b e i rtea r"'

PAST I M PE RATIVE
rug me b e i ri m
r u g tu bei r
r u g se b e i re a d h se
rug sf b e i rea d h sf
rugamar b e i ri m i s
rug sibh beirigf
r u g sa i d b h e i r i d fs
r u g a d h r"' b e i rtea r"'

FUTU RE CO N D ITIONAL
bea rfa i d h me b h ea rfa i n n
bea rfa i d h t u b h e a rfa
bearfa i d h se b h ea rfa d h se
bea rfa i d h sf b h ea rfa d h sf
bearfa i m i d b h ea rfa i m i s
bearfa i d h s i b h b h e a rfad h s i b h
bearfa i d h sa i d b h e a rfa i d fs
bea rfa r"' b h ea rfaf"'

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

b re i t h b e i rt h e

" autonomous form

VERB TABLES

3 bi (to be)

PRESENT { I N D E P E N D E NT) PRESENT (HAB ITUAL)

ta i m (ta me) bim
ta tu bio n n tu
ta se bio n n se
ta sf bio n n s f
ta i m i d bi m i d
ta sibh bio n n s i b h
t a said b io n n s i a d
tat h a r ''' bf tea r '''

PRESENT ( D E P E N DE NT) PAST { I N D E PE N D E NT)

n il i m ( n f l m e) , go b hfu i l m e bhi me
n i l tu . g o b h fu i l t u bhi tu
n i l s e , g o b h fu i l se bhi se
n f l sf, g o b h fu i l sf b h i sf
n il i m i d , g o b h fu i l i m i d b h io m a r
n i l s i b h , g o b h fu i l s i b h bhi sibh
n i l sa i d , g o b h fu i l sa i d b h i siad
n f l tea r"' b h iothas'''
go b hfu i ltear''

PAST ( D E PE N D E NT) FUTURE

ra i b h m e beidh me
ra i b h tu b e i d h tu
ra i b h se b e i d h se
ra i b h sf b e i d h sf
ra b h a m a r bei m i d
ra i b h s i b h beidh sibh
ra i b h sa i d bei d h siad
rhabthas''' b e i fea r'''

CONDITIONAL I M PERATIVE
bhei n n bim
b h e ifea bi
b h ea d h se biod h se
b h ea d h sf biod h sf
bheimis bim i s
b h ea d h s i b h bigi
bheidis bid i s
b h eiff'' b i tea r"'

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL O F N ECESS ITY

bh eith b e i te

' autonomous form 4

 VERB TABLES

4 dean (to d o . m a ke)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

d ea n a i m d ea n a me
d ea n a n n t u d ea n a tu
d ea n a n n s e deana se
d ea n a n n s f deana sf
deana i m id d ea n a i m i d
d ea n a n n s i b h deana sibh
d ea n a n n s a i d d e a n a siad
d e a n ta r ''' d ea n ta r" '

PAST ( I N D E P E N D ENT) I M PE RATIVE

ri n n e m e d ea n a i m
ri n n e t u dean
ri n n e s e d ea n a d h se
ri n n e sf d ea n a d h sf
ri n n ea m a r d ea n a i m i s
ri n n e s i b h deanaigf
ri n n e s a i d d ea n a i d fs
r i n nead h ''' d e a n ta r"'

PAST ( D E PE N D E NT) FUTURE

nf d h ea r n a m e n f d h ea r n a m a r d e a n fa i d h m e
g o n d ea r n a m e go ndearnamar d e a n fa i d h tu
n f d h ea r n a t u n f d h ea r n a s i b h d e a n fa i d h se
g o n d ea r n a t u g o n d ea r n a s i b h d e a n fa i d h sf
n f d h ea r n a s e n f d h ea r n a s a i d d e a n fa i m i d
g o n d ea r n a s e g o n d ea r n a s i a d d e a n fa i d h s i b h
n f d h ea r n a s f d e a n fa i d h s i a d
g o n d ea r n a s i
n f d h ea r n a d h ''' g o n d ea rnad h ''' d e a n fa r '''

CON DITIONAL
d h ea n fa i n n
d h ea n fa
d h ea n fad h se
d h ea n fad h sf
d h ea n fa i m i s
d h ea n fa d h s i b h
d h ea n fa i d fs
d h ea n faf'''

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

d ea n a m h d e a n ta

5 * autonomous form
VERB TABLES

s fai g h (to g et , fi n d , etc)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

fa i g h i m fa i g h e me
fa i g h ea n n t u fa i g h e tu
fa i g h ea n n s e fa i g h e se
fa i g h ea n n s f fa i g h e sf
fa i g h i m i d fa i g h i m i d
fa i g h ea n n s i b h fa i g h e s i b h
fa i g h ea n n sa i d fa i g h e s i a d
fa i g h te a r"' fa i g h tear''

PAST I M PE RATIVE
fua i r m e fa i g h i m
fu a i r t u fa i g h
fu a i r se fa i g h ea d h se
fu a i r sf fa i g h ea d h sf
fuai rea m a r fa i g h i m i s
fu a i r s i b h fa i g h i g f
fu a i r s a i d fa i g h i d fs
fuartha s''' fa i g htear'''

FUTU RE { I N D E P E N D E NT) C O N D ITIONAL {I N D E P E N D E NT)

g heobhaidh me g h eo b h a i n n
g h eo b h a i d h t u g h eofa
g h eo b h a i d h s e g h e o b h ad h se
g heobha i d h sf g h eo b h a d h s f
g h e o b ha i m i d g heobhaimis
g h e o b ha i d h s a i d g heobhadh sibh
g h e o b ha i d h sa i d g h eo b h a i d fs
g h eofa r ''' g h eofaf

FUTURE { D E PE N D E NT) CO N D ITIONAL ( D E PE N D E NT)

n f b h fa i g h i d h m e
n f b h fa i g h i d h t u
n f b h fa i g h i d h se
ni b h fa i g h i d h sf
n f b h fa i g h i m i d
n f b h fa i g h i d h s i b h
n f b h fa i g h i d h sa i d
n f b h fa i g hfea r"'
n f b h fa i g h i n n
n f b h fa i g hfea
nf b h fa i g head h se
nf b h fa i g head h sf
nf b hfa i g h i m i s
n f b h fa i g h ea d h s i b h
n f b h fa i g h i d fs
n f b h fa i g hff"'

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

fa i l fa i g hte

' autonomous form 6

 VERB TABLES

6 feic (to see , s e e m )

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

fe i c i m fe i c e me
fe icea n n t u fe i c e tu
fe i c ea n n s e fe i c e se
fe icea n n s f fe i c e sf
fe i c i m i d fei c i m i d
fe i c ea n n s i b h fe ice s i b h
feicea n n s a i d fe ice s i a d
fei ctea r"' fe i ctea r "

PAST ( I N D E P E N DENT) I M PE RATIVE

chonaic me fe i c i m
c h o n a i c tu fe i c
c h o n a i c se fe i c ea d h s e
chonaic sf fe icea d h s f
c h o n a i cea m a r fe i c i m i s
chonaic sibh fe i c i g f
chonaic said fe i c i d fs
c h o n acthas''

PAST ( D E PE N D E NT) FUTU RE

n f fhaca m e fe i cfi d h me
n f fhaca tu fe i cfi d h tu
n f fhaca se fe i cfi d h se
n f fhaca s f fe i cfi d h sf
n f fhaca m a r fe i c i m i d
n f fhaca s i b h fe i cfi d h s i b h
n f fhaca s a i d fe i cfi d h s i a d
n f fhactha s''' fe i cfea r '''

CO N D ITIONAL
d'fh e i cfi n n
d'fh e i cfea
d'fh e i cfead h se
d'fh e i cfea d h s f
d'fh e i cfi m i s
d'fh e i cfea d h s i b h
d'fh e i cfi d fs
d'fh e i cff'

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

fei cea i l fe i c t h e

7 • autonomous form
VERB TABLES

7 ith (to eat)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

ithim ithe me
i t h ea n n tu i t h e tu
i t h ea n n se ithe se
i t h ea n n sf ithe sf
i th i m i d i th i m i d
i t h ea n n sibh ithe sibh
i t h ea n n siad i t h e siad
i t e a r ''' itea r '''

PAST I M PE RATIVE
d'ith m e ith i m
d'ith t u ith
d ' i t h se i t h e a d h se
d'ith s i a d i t h ead h sf
d ' i t h ea m a r i th i m i s
d'ith s i b h ith igf
d'ith s i a d i t h i d fs
i t h ea d h ''' itea r"'

FUTURE CO N D ITIONAL
fosfa i d h me d 'fosfa i n n
fosfa i d h tu d'fo sfa
fosfa i d h se d'fosfa d h se
fosfa i d h sf d'fosfa d h sf
fosfa i m i d d'fosfa i m i s
fosfa i d h s i b h d 'fosfa d h s i b h
fosfa i d h s i a d d 'fosfa i d fs
fosfa r"' d 'fosfa f"'

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

ith e ite

' auto n o m o u s fo rm 8
 VERB TABLES

8 tabhair (to g ive , ta ke)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

tugaim tuga me
tugann tu tuga tu
tugann se t u g a se
tugann sf tuga s f
tuga i m i d tugai m i d
tuga n n sibh tuga sibh
t u g a n n sa i d t u g a siad
t u g ta r"' t u g ta r"'

PAST I M PE RATIVE
thug me tugaim
t h u g tu ta b h a i r
thug se tugad h se
t h u g sf tugad h sf
thugamar tugai mis
thug sibh tugaigf
thug said t u g a i d fs
t u g a d h ''' t u g ta r' ''

FUTU RE
ta b h a rfa i d h m e
ta b h a rfa i d h t u
ta b h a rfa i d h s e
ta b h a rfa i d h s f
ta b h a rfa i m i d
ta b h a rfa i d h s i b h
ta b h a rfa i d h sa i d
ta b h a rfa r"'
CO N D ITIONAL
t h a b h a rfa i n n
t h a b h a rfa
t h a b h a rfa d h se
t h a b h a rfa d h s f
t h a b h a rfa i m i s
t h a b h a rfa d h s i b h
t h a b h a rfa i d fs
t h a b h a rfaf'''

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

ta b h a i rt tugtha

9 " auto n o m o u s fo rm
VERB TABLES

g ta r (to c o m e , a rrive , etc)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

tag a i m taga me
tag a n n t u taga tu
tag a n n se taga se
taga n n sf taga sf
taga i m i d tag a i m i d
tag a n n s i b h taga s i b h
taga n n s a i d taga s i a d
t ag ta r''' t a g ta r'''

PAST I M PERATIVE
thai nig me ta g a i m
t ha i n i g t u ta r
thai n i g se tagad h se
thai n i g sf ta g a d h s f
thangamar tag a i m i s
t ha i n i g s i b h ta g a i g f
t h a i n i g sa i d tag a i d fs
t h a n g t h as'' tag ta r'''

FUTU RE C O N D ITIONAL
ti ocfa i d h me t h i ocfa i n n
t i ocfa i d h t u t h i ocfa
ti ocfa i d h se t h i ocfa d h se
ti ocfa i d h s f t h i ocfa d h sf
ti ocfa i m i d t h i ocfa i m i s
t i ocfa i d h s i b h t h i ocfa d h s i b h
ti ocfa i d h sa i d t h i ocfa i d fs
t i o cfa r"' t h i ocfaf'''

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

tea c h t ta g t h a

' autonomous form 10

 VERB TABLES

1 0 teig h (to g o)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

te i m te me
tea n n t u te tu
tea n n se te se
tea n n sf te sf
tei m i d tei m i d
tea n n s i b h te sibh
tea n n sa i d t e siad
teitea r"' tei tea r''

PAST ( I N D E P E N D E NT) I M PE RATIVE

chuaigh me te i m
c h u a i g h tu te i g h
c h u a i g h se tea d h se
chuaig h sf tea d h s f
chuamar tei m i s
chuaigh sibh tei g f
chuaigh said tei d fs
c h u a th as''' teitea r"'

PAST ( D E PE N D E NT) FUTU RE

nf d h eacha i g h m e n f d h ea c h a m a r rac h a i d h me
g o n d eacha i g h m e g o n d ea c h a m a r rac h a i d h tu
n f d h eachai g h t u n f d h eacha i g h s i b h rac h a i d h se
g o n d eacha i g h tu g o n d each a i g h s i b h rac h a i d h sf
n f d h eacha i g h se n f d h eacha i g h sa i d rac h a i m i d
go n d eacha i g h se g o n d eacha i g h s i a d rac h a i d h s i b h
n f d h eachai g h sf rac h a i d h s i a d
g o n d eac h a i g h sf
n f d h ea c h t h a s'' rac h fa r"'

CO N D ITIONAL
rac ha i n n
ra chfa
rac h a d h se
rac h a d h sf
rac h a i m i s
rac h a d h s i b h
rac h a i d fs
rachfa f"'

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

dul d u I ta

11 " autonomous fo rm
VERB TABLES

11 c l u i n/clois (to h ea r)

( i rreg u l a r i n past o n ly)

PAST
chuala me
chuala tu
c h ua l a se
c h ua l a sf
chualamar
chuala sibh
chuala siad
c h u a l a t h a s'''

VERBAL N O U N OF C LU I N VERBAL N O U N O F CLO I S

c l u i nsti n c l o i stea i l

VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE OF C LU I N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE O F C LO I S

c l u i n te c l o i ste

" autonomous form 12

 VERB TABLES

12 bai l i g h (to co l l ect, g a t h e r, etc)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

ba i l fm ba i l f m e
bai l fo n n tu ba i l f t u
ba i l fo n n se ba i l f s e
bai l fo n n sf ba i l f s f
bailfmid bai l f m i d
ba i l fo n n sibh ba i l f s i b h
ba i l fo n n said bai l f s i a d
ba i l ftea r"' ba i l ftear'''

PAST I M PE RATIVE
bhai l i g h me bailfm
bhai l i g h tu bai l i g h
bhai l i g h se ba i l io d h se
b h a i l i g h sf ba i l fo d h sf
b h a i l fo m a r ba i l f m i s
bhailigh sibh bailfgf
b ha i l i g h s a i d ba i l fd fs
ba i l fo d h ''' ba i l ftea r"'

FUTURE CO N D ITIONAL
ba i l e o i d h m e b h a i l eo i n n
ba i l eo i d h t u b h a i l eofa
bai l e o i d h s e b h a i l eo d h se
ba i l eo i d h sf b h a i l eo d h sf
ba i l e o i m i d bhaileoimis
ba i l eo i d h s i b h b h a i l eo d h s i b h
ba i l e o i d h s a i d b h a i l eo i d fs
b a i l eofa r"' b h a i l eofa f'''

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

bai l i u ba i l i t h e

13 ' autonomous fo rm
VERB TABLES

13 bea n na i g h (to b l ess)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

b ea n n a f m b ea n n a f me
b ea n n a i g h b ea n n a f tu
bea n n a fo d h s e b ea n n a f se
b ea n n a fo d h s f b ea n n a f s f
b ea n n a f m i s b ea n nafm i d
b ea n n a fg f b ea n n a f s i b h
b ea n n a fd fs b ea n n a f s i a d
b ea n n a ftea r"' b ea n n a ftea r'''

PAST I M PE RATIVE
bheannaigh me b ea n nafm
b h ea n n a i g h t u b ea n n a i g h
b h ea n n a i g h se b ea n n afod h s e
b h ea n n a i g h sf b ea n n a fod h s f
b h e a n n a fo m a r b ea n nafm i s
b h ea n n a i g h s i b h b e a n nafgf
b h ea n n a i g h sa i d b e a n nafdfs
b ea n n afod h ''' b ea n na ftea r''

FUTURE CON D ITIONAL

b ea n n 6 i d h me b h ea n n 6 i n n
b ea n n 6 i d h tu b h ea n n 6fa
b ea n n 6 i d h se b h ea n n 6d h se
b ea n n 6 i d h sf b h e a n n 6 d h sf
b ea n n 6 i m i d b h ea n n 6 i m i s
b ea n n 6 i d h s i b h b h ea n n 6 d h s i b h
b ea n n 6 i d h s a i d b h ea n n 6 i d fs
b ea n n 6fa r ''' b h ea n n 6faf'''

VERBAL N O U N VE RBAL ADJ ECTIVE

beannu b ea n n a i t h e

' auto n o m o u s fo rm 14
 VERB TABLES

14 beic (to ye l I)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

beici m beice me
b e i c ea n n tu beice tu
b e i c ea n n se b e i c e se
b e i c ea n n sf b e i c e sf
beici m i d beici m i d
b e i cea n n sibh beice s i b h
beicea n n sa i d beice said
bei ctea r ''' beictear''

PAST I M PE RATIVE
bheic me be i c i m
bheic tu beic
b h e i c se b e i c ea d h se
b h e i c sf b e i c ea d h s f
b h e i c ea m a r beici m i s
bheic sibh beicigf
b h e i c sa i d b e i c i d fs
bei cead h ' ' b e i ctea r''

FUTU RE CO N D ITIONAL
b e i cfi d h me b h e i cfi n n
b e i cfi d h tu b h e i cfea
b e i cfi d h se b h e i cfead h se
b e i cfi d h s f b h e i cfead h sf
b e i cfi m i d b h e i cfi m i s
b e i cfi d h s i b h b h e i cfea d h s i b h
b e i cfi d h sa i d b h e i cfi d fs
b e i cfea r"' b h e i cff"'

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

beicf beicthe

15 * autonomous form
VERB TABLES

15 bog (to m ove)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

bog a i m boga me
b og a n n t u boga tu
boga n n s e b o g a se
b og a n n s f b o g a sf
bogai m i d bogai mid
boga n n s i b h boga sibh
b og a n n sa i d boga siad
b o g tar'' bog ta r"'

PAST I M PERATIVE
bhog me boga i m
bhog tu bog
b h o g se b o g a d h se
bhog sf b o g a d h sf
bhogamar bogai m i s
bhog sibh bogaigf
bhog said b o g a i d fs
b o g a d h ''' b o g ta r ''

FUTURE C O N D ITIONAL
bogfa i d h me b h o g fa i n n
bogfa i d h tu b h o g fa
bogfa i d h se b h ogfa d h se
bogfa i d h s f b h og fa d h sf
bogfa i m i d b h og fa i m i s
bogfa i d h s i b h b h ogfa d h s i b h
bogfa i d h s a i d b h o g fa i d fs
bogfa r" ' b h o g faf'''

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

bogad h bogtha

* autonomous fo rm 16
 VERB TABLES

16 bris (to b rea k)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

brisi m b r i s e me
b r i s ea n n tu b ri s e tu
b ri s ea n n se b ri s e se
b r i s ea n n sf brise s f
brisi mid brisi m i d
b r i s ea n n sibh b ri s e s i b h
b r i s ea n n said brise siad
b r i stea r''' b ri stea r''

PAST I M PE RATIVE
b h ri s m e b ri s i m
b h ri s t u bris
b h ri s s e brisead h s e
b h ri s sf brisead h sf
b h ri s ea m a r brisi m i s
b h ri s s i b h brisigf
b h ri s s a i d b r i s i d fs
b ri s ea d h ''' b r i stea r"'

FUTURE CON DITIONAL

b r i sfi d h m e b h risfi n n
b h ri s tu b h ri sfea
b h ri s se b h ri sfea d h se
b h ri s sf b h ri sfea d h sf
b h risea m a r b h ri sfi m i s
b h ri s s i b h b h ri sfead h s i b h
b h ri s s a i d b h r i sfi dfs
b r i sfea r ''' b h ri sff''

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

b ri sead h b r i ste

17 * autonomous fo rm
VERB TABLES

17 caith (to t h row, wea r, etc)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

ca i t h i m ca i t h e m e
c a i t h ea n n tu caithe tu
caith ead h se ca i t h e se
caith ead h sf ca i t h e sf
ca ith i m i s caith i m i d
caith igf caithe sibh
ca i t h i d fs ca i t h e s i a d
ca i tea r"' caitear'''

PAST I M PE RATIVE
c h a i t h me caith i m
c h a i t h tu c a i t h ea n n tu
c h a i t h se ca i t h ea n n se
chaith sf c a i t h ea n n sf
c h a i t hea m a r caith i m i d
}
chaith sibh ca i t h ea n n sibh
chaith said ca i t h ea n n sa i d
caith ead h ''' cai tea r"'

FUTURE CO N D ITIONAL
caithfi d h me c h a i t h fi n n
caithfi d h tu c h a i thfea
caithfi d h se c h a i t hfea d h se
caithfi d h sf c h a i thfead h sf
caithfi m i d c h a i t h fi m i s
caithfi d h s i b h c h a i t hfea d h s i b h
caithfi d h s a i d c h a i t h fi d fs
ca i t hfea r''' c h a i t hff"'

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

c a i t h ea m h caite

* autonomous fo rm 18
 VERB TABLES

i8 cei l i u i r (to ce l e b rate)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

ce i l i u ra i m cei l i u ra me
ce i l i u ra n n t u cei l i u ra tu
ce i l i u ra n n se cei l i u ra se
cei l i u ra n n sf ce i l i u ra s f
cei l i u ra i m i d ce i l i u ra i m i d
ce i l i u ra n n s i b h ce i l i u ra s i b h
cei l i u ra n n s a i d ce i l i u ra s i a d
ce i l i u rta r"' cei l i u rta r'''

PAST I M PE RATIVE
chei l i u i r me ce i l i u ra i m
c h e i l i u i r tu ce i l i u i r
c h e i l i u i r se cei l i u ra d h se
c h e i l i u i r sf cei l i u ra d h s f
c h e i l i u ra m a r cei l i u ra i m i s
chei l i u i r sibh ce i l i u ra i g f
chei l i u i r said cei l i u ra i d fs
c e i l i u ra d h ' ' cei l i u rta r ''

FUTU RE C O N D ITIONAL
ce i l i u rfa i d h me c h e i l i u rfa i n n
ce i l i u rfa i d h tu c h e i l i u rfa
ce i l i u rfa i d h se c h ei l i u rfa d h se
ce i l i u rfa i d h s f c h e i l i u rfad h sf
cei l i u rfa i m i d c h e i l i u rfa i m i s
ce i l i u rfa i d h s i b h c h e i l i u rfad h s i b h
ce i l i u rfa i d h s a i d c h e i l i u rfa i d i s
ce i l i u rfa r"' c h e i l i u rfaf'''

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

cei l i u ra d h ce i l i u rt h a

19 • autonomous form
VERB TABLES

ig cl oig h (to d efeat)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

c l ofm cloi me
c l o fo n n tu c l o f tu
c l o fo n n se cloi se
c l o fo n n sf c l o i sf
clofmid clofmid
c l o fo n n sibh cloi sibh
c l o fo n n sa i d clof siad
c l oftea r ''' c l o ftea r '''

PAST I M PE RATIVE
c h l ofg h m e c l ofm
c h l ofg h t u c l o ig h
c h l ofg h se c l o fo d h se
c h l ofg h sf c l ofod h sf
c h l o fo m a r clofmis
c h l ofg h s i b h c l o fo n n s i b h
c h l o fg h sa i d c l o io n n s a i d
c l ofod h ''' c l o ftea r'''

FUTURE C O N D ITIONAL
c l o ifi d h me c h l offi n n
c l o ffi d h tu c h l o ffea
c l o ffi d h se c h l o ifead h se
c l o ffi d h s f c h l o ffea d h sf
c l o ifi m i d c h l o ffi m i s
c l o ffi d h s i b h c h l o ifea d h s i b h
c l o ffi d h s a i d c h l o ffi d fs
c l o ifea r"' c h l o fff'

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

clof c l o fte

• autonomous fo rm 20
 VERB TABLES

20 cosai n (to d efe n d , co st)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

cosnafm cosnaf me
c o sn a fo n n tu c o s n a f tu
c osn a fo n n se c o s n a f se
c o sn a fo n n sf cosnaf sf
cosnafm i d cosnafm i d
cosnafo n n sibh cosnaf sibh
cosnafo n n sa i d cosnaf s i a d
cosnaftea r"' c o s n a ftea r"'

PAST I M PE RATIVE
c h o sa i n m e cosnafm
c h o sa i n t u cosa i n
c h o sa i n s e c o s n a fod h se
c h o sa i n sf c o s n a fo d h sf
c h o s n a fo m a r cosnafm i s
c h o sa i n s i b h c o s n a fg f
c h o sa i n s a i d c o s n a fd fs
c o sn a fo d h ''' c o s n a ftea r"'

FUTU RE C O N D ITIONAL
co s n 6 i d h me chosn6inn
c o sn 6 i d h tu c h o s n 6fa
c osn 6 i d h se c h o s n 6 d h se
cosn 6 i d h sf c h o s n 6 d h sf
cos n 6 i m i d chosn6i mis
co s n 6 i d h s i b h chosn6d h sibh
co s n 6 i d h s a i d c h o s n 6 i d fs
cosn 6fa r'' c h o s n 6fa f"'

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

cosa i n t cosa n ta

21 " autonomous form

VERB TABLES

21 feoigh (to w i t h e r)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

feo i m feo me
feo n n t u feo tu
feo n n se feo se
feo n n sf feo sf
feo i m i d feo i m i d
feo n n s i b h feo s i b h
feo n n s a i d feo s a i d
feoitear'' feo i tear'''

PAST I M PERATIVE
d'fh e o i g h m e feo i m
d'fh eo i g h t u feo i g h
d'fh e o i g h se feod h se
d'fh eo i g h s f feod h sf
d'fh e o m a r feo i m i s
feofa i d h s i b h feo i g f
feofa i d h sa i d feo i dfs
feo d h '' feo itea r'''

FUTU RE CON DITIONAL

feofa i d h me d'fh eofa i n n
feofa i d h t u d'fh eofa
feofa i d h se d'fh eofa d h se
feofa i d h s f d'fh eofa d h s f
feofa i m i d d 'fh eofa i m i s
feofa i d h s i b h d'fh eofa d h s i b h
feofa i d h sa i d d'fheofa i d fs
feofa r"' d'fheofaf"'

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

feo feo i te

* autonomous form 22
 VERB TABLES

22 i m i r (to p l ay)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

i m rfm i m rf m e
i m rfo n n tu i m rf tu
i m rfo n n se i m rf se
i m rfo n n sf i m rf sf
i m rf m i d i m rfm i d
i m rfo n n sibh i m rf s i b h
i m rfo n n sa i d i m rf s i a d
i m rftea r"' i m rftea r''

PAST I M PE RATIVE
d 'i m i r m e i m rfm
d 'i m i r tu imir
d 'i m i r se i m rfod h se
d 'i m i r s f i m rfod h sf
d 'i m rfo m a r i m rfm i s
d 'i m i r s i b h i m rfg f
d 'i m i r s a i d i m rfd fs
i m rfod h ''' i m rftea r"'

FUTURE
i m reo i d h me
i m reo i d h tu
i m reo i d h se
i m re o i d h sf
i m re o i m i d
i m re o i d h s i b h
i m reo i d h sa i d
i m reofa r '''
CO N D ITIONAL
d'i m re o i n n
d'i m reofa
d'i m re o d h se
d'i m re o d h sf
d'i m re o i m i s
d'i m re o d h s i b h
d'i m re o i d fs
d ' i m reofa f'''

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

i m i rt i m ea rt h a

23 • autonomous fo rm
VERB TABLES

23 l u i g h (to l i e , set)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

l u fm luf me
l u fo n n tu luf tu
l u fo n n se luf se
l u fo n n sf luf sf
l u fm i d l ufmid
l u fo n n sibh luf sibh
l u fo n n sa i d luf siad
l u i te a r '' l u itea r'''

PAST I M PE RATIVE
luigh me l u fm
luigh tu luigh
luigh se l u fo d h se
luigh �f l u fo d h se
l u fo m a r l u fm i s
luigh sibh l u fg f
luigh said l u fdfs
l u fod h ''' l u itea r"'

FUTURE CO N D ITIONAL
l u ffi d h m e l u ffi n n
l u ffi d h tu l u ffea
l u ffi d h se l u ffea d h se
l u ffi d h sf l u ffea d h s f
l u ffi m i d l u ffi m i s
l u ffi d h s i b h l u ffead h s i b h
l u ffi d h s a i d l u ffi d fs
l u ffea r"' l u fff"

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

luf l u ite

" autonomous fo rm
 VERB TABLES

24 mol (to p ra i s e , a d v i se)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

molaim mola me
molann tu mola tu
m o l a n n se m o l a se
m o l a n n sf mola sf
molaimid molaimid
molann sibh mola sibh
molann said mola siad
m o l ta r"' m o l ta r '''

PAST I M PE RATIVE
mhol me molaim
mhol tu mol
m h o l se moladh se
m h o l sf moladh sf
mholamar molaimis
mhol sibh molaigf
m h o l sa i d m o l a i d fs
m o l a d h ''' m o l ta r"'

FUTU RE CON D ITIONAL

m o l fa i d h m e m h o lfa i n n
m o l fa i d h t u m h o lfa
m o l fa i d h s e m h o lfad h se
m o l fa i d h s f m h o lfa d h s f
m o l fa i m i d m h o l fa i m i s
m o l fa i d h s i b h m h o lfa d h s i b h
m o l fa i d h s a i d m h o l fa i d fs
m o lfa r ''' m h o l fa f'''

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

moladh m o I ta

25 ' autonomous form

VERB TABLES

25 saig h (to sta b)

PRESENT PRESENT S U BJ U N CTIVE

sa i m sa m e
sa n n t u sa t u
sa n n se sa se
sa n n sf sa sf
sa i m i d sa i m i d
sa n n s i b h sa sibh
sa n n sa i d s a siad
saitea r ''' saitea r"'

PAST I M PE RATIVE
shai g h me sa i m
shaigh tu sa i g h
s h a i g h se sa d h se
s h a i g h sf sad h s f
shamar sa i m i s
shaig h sibh sa i g f
s h a i g h sa i d sa i d fs
sad h ''' sai tea r '''

FUTU RE CON D ITIONAL

safa i d h me s h afa i n n
safa i d h tu s h afa
safa i d h se shafa d h se
safa i d h s f shafa d h sf
safa i m i d s h afa i m i s
safa i d h s i b h s h afa d h s i b h
safa i d h s a i d s h afa i d fs
safa r ''' s h afaf''

VERBAL N O U N VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE

sa saite

* autonomous fo rm 26

26 s6i nseail (to c h a n g e)
PRESENT
s 6 i n s ea l a i m
s6 i n sea l a n n t u
s 6 i n sea l a n n s e
s6 i n sea l a n n s f
s6 i n sea l a i m i d
s 6 i n s ea l a n n s i b h
s 6 i n s ea l a n n sa i d
s 6 i n s ea i l tea r"'
PAST
s h 6 i n sea i l m e
s h 6 i n sea i l tu
s h 6 i n sea i l se
s h 6 i n sea i l sf
s h 6 i n sea l a m a r
s h 6 i n sea i l s i b h
s h 6 i n sea i l s a i d
s6 i n sea l a d h''
FUTURE
s6 i n se a l fa i d h m e
s6 i n sealfa i d h tu
s6 i n sealfa i d h se
s6 i n sealfa i d h sf
s 6 i n sealfa i m i d
s 6 i n sealfa i d h s i b h
s 6 i n sealfa i d h sa i d
s6 i n sea lfa r '''
VERBAL N O U N
s6 i n sea i l
27
VERB TABLES
PRESENT SU BJ U N CTIVE
s6i n se a l a me
s6 i n se a l a tu
s6 i n s e a l a se
s 6 i n s e a l a sf
s 6 i n s ea l a i m i d
s6i n se a l a s i b h
s6 i n se a l a s i a d
s 6 i n s ea i l te a r' ''
I M PE RATIVE
s6 i n sea l a i m
s 6 i n s ea i l
s6 i n sea l a d h se
s6 i n sea l a d h sf
s 6 i n s ea l a i m i s
s6 i n sea l a i g f
s 6 i n s ea i l i d fs
s 6 i n s ea i l tea r""''
CO N D ITIONAL
s h 6 i n se a l fa i n n
s h 6 i n sealfa
s h 6 i n se a l fa d h se
s h 6 i n sealfa d h s f
s h 6 i n se a l fa i m i s
s h 6 i n sealfa d h s i b h
s h 6 i n sea l fa i d fs
s h 6 i n sea lfa f"'
VERBAL ADJ ECTIVE
s6 i n seai l te
* autonomous form
 ( V E R B I N D EX )

H OW TO U S E TH E V E R B I N D EX

T h e verbs i n b o l d a re t h e m o d e l verbs w h i c h you wi l l fi n d i n t h e verb ta b l e s .

A l l t h e o t h e r v e r b s fo l l ow o n e o f t h e s e patte r n s . so t h e n u m be r n ext t o each
verb i n d i cates w h i c h pattern fits this pa rti c u l a r verb . F o r exa m p l e . ceap
(to t h i n /<) fo l l ows t h e s a m e pattern a s bog ( n u m be r 1 5 in t h e verb ta b l es)

All t h e verbs a re in a l p h a betical o rd e r. S o m e verbs a re fo l l owed by t h e i r verbal

n o u n and verbal a dj ective if t h ey d i ffe r fro m their verb m o d e l . T h i s i s i n d i cated
by vb n and vb a dj res pective l y.

abair 1 beath a i g h 13
a d m h a i g h (vb n a d m h a i l ) 13 beic 14
aimsigh 11 beir 2
a i st ri g h 11 beirigh 11
aith i n 22 bi 3
a i t h r i s (3rd pres a i t h risfo n n . bisigh 11
v b n a i t h ris) 20 blais 16
a l p (vb a dj a l ptha) 24 b l a i sti g h 11
a l ta i g h 13 boca i l 26
a m h a re (vb adj a m h a r t h a , b o d h ra i g h 13
v b n a m h a re) 24 bog 15
a o n ta i g h 13 bolaig h 13
a rd a i g h 13 b ra i t h 17
a t h c h u rsa i l 26 b reath n a i g h 13
a t h ra i g h 13 bris 16
b a b h ta i l 26 b rosta i g h 13
bac 15 b r u c h t ( v b adj b r u c hta) 26
baca i l 26 b ru i g h 25
bag a i r (vb a dj baga rtha) 20 b r u i t h ( v b n b r u ith) 17
ba i g h 25 b u a i g h (vb n b u a c h a n ) 25
ba i l i g h 12 b u a i l (vb n b u a l a d h) 16
b a i n (vb n b a i nt) 16 b u a i r (vb n b u a i rea m h .
ba n a i g h 13 v b adj b u a rtha) 12
basa i g h 13 buamail 26
base (vb adj basctha) 24 b u i r (vb n b u i reach) 12
bea n n a i g h 13 bunaigh 13
bearr 15 ca b h ra i g h 13
bearta i g h 13 cai l i g h 11

28
ca i l l 16 com h lanai g h 13
c ai n 16 c o m h o i b ri g h 11
caith 17 c 6 n a i g h (vb n c6n ai) 13
ca m pa i l 26 c on a i l 26
can 24 corn 15
caoch 24 c o r ra i g h (vb n co rral) 13
cao i n 16 cosa i n 20
caom h n a i g h 13 coth ro m a i g h 13
earn 15 c ra i g h 25
cas 24 c ra o l 24
ceada i g h 13 c r e i d ( v b n c re i d i u i n t) 16
c ea l g 15 c rfoc h n a i g h 13
c ea n g a i l (vb n cea n g a l , c ro c h 24
vb a dj cea n g a i l te) 20 c r o i t h ( v b n c ro i t h e a d h ) 17
c ea n n a i g h (vb n cea n n a c h ) 13 c ro m 15
cea p 15 c ro n a i g h 13
cearta i g h 13 c ros 24
cei l i u i r 18 cruthai g h 13
c e i sti g h 11 c u a rd a i g (vb n c u a rdach) 13
cia l l a i g h 13 cuidigh 11
c i c ea i l 26 c u i m h n i g h (vb n c u i m h n e a m h) 11
cinn 16 c u i m i (vb a dj c u i m i l te) 22
c i o n ta i g h 13 c u i r (vb n c u r, v b a dj c u rtha) 15
cf o r 15 c u i s i g h (vb n c u i sea m h) 11
ciunaigh 13 culaigh 13
claon 24 cum 15
c l a ra i g h 13 c u m h d a i g h ( v b n c u m h d ach) 13
c l ea c h t (vb adj c l e a ch ta) 24 c u rsa i l 26
c l i c ea i l 26 daor 15
Cl i s 16 dath a i g h 13
clofg h 19 d ea l ra i g h (vb n d ea l ra m h) 13
clois 11 dean 4
c l 6 scrfo b h (vb n cl 6scrfo b h , d e a rg 15
vb adj cl6scrfofa) 24 deisigh 11
c l u d a i g h (vb n c l u d a c h) 13 diailigh 11
cluin 11 d fo ( v b n d f o l ) 24
cnag 15 d f s h i o c (vb n dfsh i oc) 15
c n e a sa i g h 13 d i u l ta i g h 13
c n i ota i l 26 d fzi p ea i l 26
c n u a sa i g h (vb n c n uasach) 13 d6ig h 25
c o d a i l (vb n cod l a d h) 20 d re a p 15
cog a i n 20 d re i m (vb n d re i m ) 12
coig i l 22 d ru i d (vb n d ru i d i m ) 24
c o i m ea d (vb n co i m ea d ) 24 d u i s i g h (vb n d u i seacht) 11
coi m head (vb n c o i m h ea d ) 24 d u m pa i l 26
co i n n i g h (vb n co i n n e a i l ) 11 dun 24
c 6 i ri g h 11 d u n m ha ra i g h 13
c o i s r i c (vb n c o i s reaca n ) 18 eagao i n 16

29
eag ra i g h 13 f u a ra i g h 13
ea l a i g h 13 fuasea i l (vb a dj fuasea i l te) 20
easa o n ta i g h 13 fu l a i n g (3rd pres fu l a i n g fo n n ,
e a s p 6 rta i l 26 v b a dj fu l a i n g the) 20
eig n i g h 11 g a b h (vb a dj g a b h a i l . vb a dJ g afa) 24
eiligh 11 g a i r (vb n g a i rm ) 12
e i r i g h (vb n e i rf) 11 geal 24
e i s i g h (vb n e i s i u i nt) 11 geall 24
e i st (vb n e i stea e h t) 16 g ea ra n (vb n g ea ra n ) 24
e i ti g h (vb n e i teaeh) 11 gearr 15
eitil 22 gei 1 1 16
faesa i l 26 geit 16
fag ( v b n fa g a i l ) 15 g lae 15
fai g h 5 g lan 24
fa i l t i g h 11 g l a o i g h (vb n g l aoeh) 25
fa i r ( v b n fa i re) 12 g l a sa i l 26
fa i s e (vb n fasea d h) 12 g l eas 24
fa n (vb n fa n a e h t) 24 g n 6th a i g h 13
fas (vb n fas) 24 gob 15
fea b h sa i g h 13 g o i d (vb n g o i d ) 16
feae 15 g o i (vb n g o l ) 16
fea e h (vb n fea e h a i nt) 24 goill 16
fead (vb n fea d a e h ta i l ) 24 g o i n (vb n g o i n , vb a dj g o nta) 16
fea l l 24 g o rtai g h 13
feic 6 g ra i g h 25
fe i l ( v b n fe i l i u i nt) 16 g rata i l 26
fei sti g h 11 g read 24
feoi g h 21 g re a m a i g h 13
fi afra i g h (vb n fi afraf) 13 g rfose 15
fi 1 1 16 guigh 23
fi u e h 24 h i o p n 6 i si g h 11
f6g a i r 20 i a r na i l 26
fog h l a i m (3rd pres fog h l a i m fo n n . i a r r (vb n i a r ra i d h) 15
vb n fog h l a i m , vb adj fog h l a mtha) 2 0 fd i g h 11
fo i l s i g h 11 i m i g h ( v b n i m ea e h t) 11
f6 i r ( v b n f6 i ri t h i nt) 12 imir 22
fo l m ha i g h 13 i m p i g h (vb n i m pf) 11
fo rma i d i g h 11 i nfhei sti g h 11
fo rm h ea d a i g h 13 i n i s (vb n i n s i n t , v b a dj i n ste) 22
fosta i g h 13 foe (vb n foe) 15
fra m a i g h 13 i o m a i r (vb n i o m ra m h ,
frea g a i r 20 v b a dj i o m a rtha) 20
freasta i l (3rd pres freasta l a fo n n , i o m pa i g h 13
v b n freasta l , v b a dj frea stal ta) 20 i o m pa i r (vb n i o m p a r, vb a dj
fri o e h 24 i o m partha) 20
fuad a i g h ( v b n fuadaeh) 13 i o n sa i g h (vb n i o n sa f) 13
fua i g h (vb n fu a i l ) 25 i o n sa i g h 25
fu a i m n i g h 11 ionsuigh 25

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i o n t ra i l 26 maisig h 11
fos l a g h d a i g h 13 maith 17
fs l i g h 11 m a l a r ta i g h 13
ith 7 m ao l a i g h 13
l a b h a i r (vb a dj l a b h a rtha) 20 m a pa i l 26
lagaigh 13 m a ra i g h 13
lag hdaigh 13 m a rca i g h (vb n m a rcafocht) 13
l a i m h s ea i l 26 m a rca i l 26
laimhsigh 11 m ea b h ra i g h 13
lai nseail 26 mead a i g h 13
las 24 m ea i g h 25
l e a c h ta i g h 13 m ea l l 24
l ea g 15 m ea s ( v b n m eas) 24
leaigh 25 measc 15
lean 24 m ea s u n a i g h 13
l ea sa i g h 13 m eath (vb n m eat h . v b adj m eata) 24
l ea sa i g h 13 m e i l (vb n m e i l t) 16
l e i g h (vb n l ea m h) 25 mill 16
l e i g heas (vb n l e i g h eas) 24 m fn i g h 11
l e i m (vb n l e i m ) 15 moi l l i g h 11
l e i ri g h 11 mol 24
l e i r m h fn i g h 11 m o th a i g h 13
l e i rs i g h 11 much 24
lig 12 muin 16
ligh 23 m u sca i l (vb a dj m u sca i l te) 20
l fo m h (vb a dj If ofa) 24 n a i ri g h 11
lion 24 n a i s c (vb n n a scad h) 12
l i t ri g h 11 nigh 23
loc 15 n o c h t (vb a dj n o c h ta) 24
l o c h ta i g h 13 n 6 ta i l 26
16dai1 26 n u a c h 6 i ri g h 11
log 15 ofra i l 26
loic 12 o i b ri g h 11
l o i sc ( v b n l o scad h) 12 o i l (vb n o i l i u i nt) 16
l o i t (vb n l o t . v b adj l o i te) 16 o i r (vb n o i r i u nt) 12
l o rn 15 o i ri u n a i g h 13
lonnaigh 13 6 1 (vb n 6 1 ) 24
l o n ra i g h 13 o rd a i g h 13
l u a i g h (vb n l u a) 25 osca i l (vb a dj osca i l te) 20
l u asc 24 paca i l 26
l u asg h e a ra i g h 13 p a i rcea i l 26
1ub 15 pa sa i l 26
l u c h ta i g h 13 peaca i g h 13
luigh 23 p e i ntea i l 26
l u isnigh 11 pioc 15
m a fg h (vb n m a fo m h) 19 plab 15
m a i r (vb n m a i re a ch ta i l ) 12 plandaigh 13
m a i rsea i l 26 p l ea da i l 26

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p l ea n a i l 26 sca i p 12
p l ease 15 sca i rd 16
pleigh 25 sca i rt ( v b adj scai rte) 16
pluch 24 seal I 24
p6g 15 sca m h (vb a dj scafa) 24
po i b l i g h 11 sca n 24
p o i ntea i l 26 sca n n a n a i g h 13
p 6 ra i g h 13 sca n ra i g h 13
p6s 24 sea o i l 16
p ra m sa i l 26 sca r 15
p reab 15 sea ta i l 26
p reasa i l 26 sceith (vb n s c e i t h e a d h ) 17
p ri o c 15 sceitsea i l 26
p r i o n ta i l 26 sci a i l 26
p r6 i s ea i l 26 sci m e a i l 26
pule 15 sci o b 15
p u m pa i l 26 sciorr 15
ra m h a i g h ( v b n ra m h ach) 13 sci u rd 24
rea b 15 scoi l t (vb adj scoi l te) 16
rea c h ta i l 26 sco i r (vb n scor. v b a dj scortha) 12
rei t i g h (vb n re iteach) 11 scoith (vb n s c o i t h e a d h ) 17
reo i g h 21 s c 6 ra i l 26
ria l a i g h 13 sc read 24
r i n c (vb n r i n ce) 12 s e rf o b 15
rfo m h (vb n rfo m h . v b adj rfofa) 24 s c rfo b h (vb n scrfo b h , vb adj serf ofa) 24
rith (vb n rith) 17 scrios 24
ro b a i l 26 scri u a i l 26
rog h n a i g h 13 s c ro l l a i g h 13
roi n n (vb n ro i n n t) 16 s c ru d a i g h 13
rop 15 scuab 15
r6 st 24 sea c h a i d
ruaig 12 (vb n seacha da d h .
sa b h a i l 26 v b adj seachadta) 26
sac 15 sea c h a i n 20
saig h 25 sean 24
sa i g h n ea i l 26 searr 24
sa i l I 16 seas (vb n seasa m h) 24
sai n m h fn i g h 11 s e i c ea i l 26
sa i n n i g h 11 seid 16
sa m h l a i g h 13 s e i l g (vb n s e i l g ) 12
s a n ta i g h 13 s e i n n (vb n sei n m ) 16
sao l a i g h 13 seol 24
saor 15 sil 16
saoth ra i g h 13 sfl 16
s a ra i g h 13 sin 16
sasa i g h 13 s fn i g h 11
scag 15 sf o b 15
sea i n 16 sioc 15

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s i O i l (vb n s i O I . vb a dj s i O i l ta) 18 taisti l (3rd pres tai tstea l a io n n .
s l ea m h n a i g h 13 v b n tai stea l . v b a dj ta i stea l ta) 20
sl og 15 taiti n (vb n ta i t n ea m h) 22
s m a c h ta i g h 13 tapa i g h 13
s m a o i n i g h (vb n s m a o i n ea m h) 11 ta r 9
smear 15 tarl a i g h (past t h a r l a) 13
sm e i d 16 tarra i n g (3rd pres ta rra i n g io n n .
s n a m h (vb n s na m h) 24 vb adJ ta r ra i n g t he) 20
snigh 23 tasta i l 26
snoigh 19 teagasc (vb n teagasc) 15
socra i g h 13 tea n n 24
soi l e i ri g h 11 teasta i g h (vb n teasta i l ) 13
s o i ls i g h 11 tei g h 10
s6inseail 26 teip (vb n te i p) 12
soi p r i g h 11 t i o ma i n ( v b n t i o m a i n t .
s 6 1 a sa i g h 13 v b adj t i o m a i nte) 18
so l a t ha i r (vb n s o l a t h a r. t i o n ta i g h 13
v b adj solath ra i t h e) 20 tit ( v b n titi m . vb adj ti te) 16
s6rta i l 26 toe h a i l (vb adj tocha i l te) 20
sp a ra i l 26 toc h a i s (vb n tochas) 18
splanc 15 t 6 g (vb adj t6g a i l ) 15
s p raea i l 26 tog h (vb a dj tofa) 24
s p reag 15 to m ha i s (vb n tom h a s .
s p re i g h 25 v b adj to m h a i ste) 18
s ra n n 24 tosa i g h 13
s rao i l l 16 t6sta i l 26
s ro i c h 16 t rae n a i l 26
sruth laig h 13 t ra o c h 24
stad (vb n sta d ) 24 t ra s n a i g h 13
sta n 24 t rea s l a i g h 13
stea l I 24 t re i g (vb n t re i g e a n ) 12
sti O i r 18 tria i l (vb n tria i l ) 16
stop 15 trio m a i g h 13
st6 ra i l 26 t ro i d (vb n triad) 16
strea c h a i l 20 t u i g (vb n t u i sci n t) 12
striae 15 t u i r l i n g (3rd pres t u i rl i n g io n n .
str6 i c 12 v b adj t u i r l i n g t h e) 20
suigh 23 tum 15
suimigh 11 uasl6dail 26
s u itea i l 26 u c h ta i g h 13
ta b h a i r 8 u l l mhaig h 13
taca i g h 13 vacsain i g h 11
taifead 24 v6ta i l 26
ta i rg (vb n ta i ri s c i nt) 12 z i p ea i l 11
ta i s p ea i n (vb n ta i s p ea i n t .
vb adj ta i s pe a n ta) 18

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