Learning Irish Notes

Lesson 11

The Copula

Is links 2 nouns or pronouns, disjunctive pronouns used:

Is thusa an sagart.

When the topic is a definite noun, it is preceded by é/í/iad:

Is é an fear sin an sagart.

When the topic is é/í/iad, it must be repeated:

Is é an sagart é.

Table of forms:

Is thusa an sagart.

Ní thusa an sagart.

Ar thusa an sagart?

Nach thusa an sagart?

Deir sé gur/nach thusa an sagart

Más/Mara thusa an sagart...

Forms before third person pronouns:

Is é an dochtúr.

Ní hé an dochtúr.

Ab é an dochtúr?

Nach é an dochtúr?

Deir sé gurb/nach é an dochtúr.

Más/Mara é an dochtúr...

Lesson 12

The Copula (cont)

When the predicate is an indefinite noun, it exchanges places with the topic and directly follows is:

Is sagart mé
When the topic is definite, it is still preceded by the appropriate pronoun:

Is sagart é Seán.

In responses to sentences with an indefinite noun, ea is used:

Ar sagart mé? Is ea (‘sea)/Ní hea.

To stress an adjective in copula sentences, it precedes the noun and the article is used:

Is duine deas é = He is a nice person, but: Is deas an duine é = He is a nice person

Def. Article with numbers

An t- is used before aon, an dá, na with numbers above 2 (and optionally before 2)

Adjectives after numbers:

As normal after aon, after 2 to 10, adjective in plural and lenited

Lesson 13

Prefixed adjectives

An- very

Fíor- really, true

Barr- outstanding

Dea- good

Droch- bad

Ro- too

Sean- old

Síor- constant, continual

Generally the prefix is written together with following word (lenited), but 2 vowels, 2 prefixes, or 2
identical consonants are separated by a hyphen. The prefixes an- and deá are always written with a
hyphen.

LESSON 22

Conditional tense

Type 1 verb is lenited and adds -f(e)adh. Final -gh is dropped and short syllable is lengthened.

Type 2 verb is lenited and adds -ódh, -eodh. Last syllable lost before ending.

1 ghlanfainn, ghlanfá, ghlanfadh sé, ghlanfadh muid, ghlanfadh sibh, ghlanfaidís, ghlanfaí

2 shalóinn, shalófá, shalódh sé, shalódh muid, shalódh sibh, shalóidís, shalófaí

2. Preposition Ó
Also used to express desire> níl uaidh ach spóirt = he only wants fun

Sometimes ó may be replaced by uaidh (uaidh Mháirtín)

LESSON 24

Past Habitual Tense

Root is lenited and adds –(e)adh to type 1 verbs, adds –(a)íodh to type 2 verbs

Type 1 – ghlanainn, ghlantá, ghlanadh sé/muid/sibh, ghlanaidís, ghlantaí

Type 2 – shalaínn, shalaíteá, shalaíodh sé/muid/sibh, shalaídís, shalaítí