Difference between revisions of "Formation of Verbal Nouns"

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−
*''for a definition of verbal noun see [[Verbal Noun (definition)]]
+
*''for a definition of verbal noun see [[Verbal noun (definition)]]
 
*''for a discussion of the uses of verbal nouns see [[Use of Verbal Noun]]
 
*''for a discussion of the uses of verbal nouns see [[Use of Verbal Noun]]
 
*''for a comprehensive list of verbal nouns for various verbs see [[Verbal Nouns]]
 
*''for a comprehensive list of verbal nouns for various verbs see [[Verbal Nouns]]
Line 6: Line 6:
  
  
−
==Suffix -(e)adh (Mark's type 1)==
+
==Suffix ''-(e)adh'' (Mark's type 1)==
  
−
The most common way to form a verbal noun is to suffix some version of the suffix ''-adh'' or ''-eadh''(pronounced either /u/ or /əg/). There are several variants of this, listed bleow
+
The most common way to form a verbal noun is to suffix some version of the suffix ''-adh'' or ''-eadh'' (pronounced either /u/ or /əg/). There are several variants of this, listed bleow
  
−
===Suffix -adh (Mark's type 1a) ===
+
 
 +
===Suffix ''-adh'' (Mark's type 1a) ===
  
 
One common way to form the verbal noun is to suffix ''-adh'' to a root ending a [[Broad (definition)|broad]] consonant.
 
One common way to form the verbal noun is to suffix ''-adh'' to a root ending a [[Broad (definition)|broad]] consonant.
  
−
{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
+
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 
!Imperative
 
!Imperative
 
!verbal Noun
 
!verbal Noun
Line 36: Line 37:
 
|}
 
|}
  
 +
For other examples see [[Verbal Nouns]]
  
−
===Suffix -eadh===
 
  
 +
===Suffix ''-eadh'' (Marks type 1b) ===
 +
When the root ends in a [[Slender (definition)}slender]] consonant,  one common way to form the verbal noun is to suffix ''-eadh''.
  
−
===Broaden and suffix -adh===
+
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
!Imperative
 +
!verbal Noun
 +
!verb meaning
 +
|-
 +
|bris
 +
|briseadh
 +
|break
 +
|-
 +
|mill
 +
|milleadh
 +
|spoil
 +
|-
 +
|pàigh
 +
|pàigheadh
 +
|pay
 +
|}
  
−
This method is used for words ending in ''-aich'', monosyllabic words ending in ''-ail'', and ''-ich''. To form the verbal noun, make the final consonant [[Broad (definition)|broad]] by  doing one of the following:
+
For other examples see [[Verbal Nouns]]
−
*-aich --> ach+adh
+
 
−
*-ich --> each+adh e.g.  
+
 
−
*-ail --> al+adh,   e.g., buail --> bualadh
+
===Broaden and suffix ''-adh'' (Mark's type 1c, d, e)===
 +
 
 +
This method is used for words ending in ''-aich'', monosyllabic words ending in ''-ail'', and ''-ich'' and a few other forms. To form the verbal noun, make the final consonant [[Broad (definition)|broad]] by  doing one of the following, then suffix ''-adh''.
 +
 
 +
*Type 1c: [[Broad (definition)|broaden]] final consonant, by deleting [[Orthography|orthographic]] <nowiki> <i> </nowiki> (i) e.g., ''dùin'' --> ''dùn+adh'', (ii) ''-ail'' --> ''al+adh'',  e.g., ''buail'' --> ''bualadh''
 +
*Type 1d: ''-aich'' --> ''-ach+adh'', e.g., ''beannaich'' --> ''beannachadh''
 +
*Type 1e: ''-ich'' --> ''-each+adh'', e.g. ''litrich'' --> ''litreachadh''
 +
 
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
!Imperative
 +
!verbal Noun
 +
!verb meaning
 +
|-
 +
|dòirt
 +
|dòrtadh
 +
|spill
 +
|-
 +
|buail
 +
|bualadh
 +
|strike
 +
|-
 +
|dùin
 +
|dunadh
 +
|close
 +
|-
 +
|beannaich
 +
|beannachadh
 +
|bless
 +
|-
 +
|ciùinich
 +
|ciùineachadh
 +
|clam
 +
|}
  
 +
For other examples see [[Verbal Nouns]]
  
  
−
===broaden, syncope final syllable, suffix -adh===
+
===Broaden, syncope final syllable, suffix ''-adh'' (Mark type 1f)===
  
 
where C stands for any consonant.
 
where C stands for any consonant.
−
*Cail --> Cl+adh
+
*type fi: ''Cail'' --> ''Cl+adh'', e.g., ''fosgail'' --> ''fosgladh''
 +
*type fii ''Cair'' --> ''Cr+adh'', e.g., ''cobhair'' --> ''cobhradh'' (According to Mark, almost all the members of this type have alternative formations using type 4 -- see below)
 +
*type fii ''Cainn'' --> ''Cn+adh'', e.g., ''faochainn'' --> ''faochnadh''
 +
*relatedly but without broadening: ''sluaisir'' --> ''sluaisreadh'' and ''innis'' --> ''innseadh'' or ''innse''. 
 +
 
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
!Imperative
 +
!verbal Noun
 +
!verb meaning
 +
|-
 +
|fosgail
 +
|fosgladh
 +
|open
 +
|-
 +
|cobhair
 +
|cobhradh
 +
|help
 +
|-
 +
|faochainn
 +
|faochnadh
 +
|beg
 +
|-
 +
|amail
 +
|amladh
 +
|entangle
 +
|-
 +
|bagair
 +
|bagradh
 +
|terrify/threaten
 +
|-
 +
|seachainn
 +
|seachnadh
 +
|avoid
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
For other examples see [[Verbal Nouns]]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Verbal noun is the same as the imperative (Mark's type 2)==
 +
For some nouns, the root and the imperative are identical
 +
 
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
!Imperative
 +
!verbal Noun
 +
!verb meaning
 +
|-
 +
|leum
 +
|leum
 +
|jump
 +
|-
 +
|obair
 +
|obair
 +
|work
 +
|-
 +
|òl
 +
|òl
 +
|drink
 +
|-
 +
|ruith
 +
|ruith
 +
|run
 +
|-
 +
|seinn
 +
|seinn
 +
|sing
 +
|-
 +
|stad
 +
|stad
 +
|stop
 +
|-
 +
|streap
 +
|streap
 +
|climb
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
For other examples see [[Verbal Nouns]]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Broaden final consonant  (Mark's type 3)==
 +
 
 +
With some roots one can create a verbal noun by [[Broadening|broadening]] a final [[Slender (definition)|slender]] consonant. To do this either drop the <nowiki> <i> </nowiki> before the final consonant (e.g. amhairc --> amharc) if there is another (broad) vowel next to it, or by changing a final <nowiki> <i> </nowiki> to an <ea> (when there is no other vowel next to it.
 +
 
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
!Imperative
 +
!verbal Noun
 +
!verb meaning
 +
|-
 +
|caill
 +
|call
 +
|lose
 +
|-
 +
|amhairc
 +
|amharc
 +
|see
 +
|-
 +
|àraich
 +
|àrach
 +
|rear
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
For other examples see [[Verbal Nouns]]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Suffix ''-t'' to Root (Mark's type 4)==
 +
Many roots ending in ''-air'' form the verbal noun by suffixing ''-t'':
 +
 
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
!Imperative
 +
!verbal Noun
 +
!verb meaning
 +
|-
 +
|tachair
 +
|tachairt
 +
|meeting
 +
|-
 +
|labhair
 +
|labhairt
 +
|speak
 +
|-
 +
|tagair
 +
|tagairt
 +
|pleat
 +
|-
 +
|freagair
 +
|freagairt
 +
|answer
 +
|-
 +
|thoir
 +
|toirt
 +
|give/take
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
For other examples see [[Verbal Nouns]]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Suffix ''-sinn'' (Mark's type 5)==
 +
Altough much rarer, some verbs require the suffix ''-sinn'' to form the verbal noun.
 +
 
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
!Imperative
 +
!verbal Noun
 +
!verb meaning
 +
|-
 +
|tuig
 +
|tuigsinn
 +
|understand
 +
|-
 +
|creid
 +
|creidsinn
 +
|believe
 +
|-
 +
|saoil
 +
|saoilsinn
 +
|think
 +
|}
  
 +
For other examples see [[Verbal Nouns]]
 +
 +
 +
==Suffix -t(a)inn (Mark's type 6)  ==
 +
Verbs of this class take either ''-tainn'' or ''-tinn'' (depending upon whether they end in a broad or slender consonant).
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
!Imperative
 +
!verbal Noun
 +
!verb meaning
 +
|-
 +
|cluinn
 +
|cluinntinn
 +
|listen
 +
|-
 +
|seall
 +
|sealltainn
 +
|look
 +
|}
  
−
*
+
For other examples see [[Verbal Nouns]]
  
−
==Suffix -amh==
 
  
 +
==Suffix ''-(e)amh'' (Mark's type 7)==
 +
This group of verbs suffixes either ''-eamh'' or ''-amh'' to the root, depending upon whether the final consonant of the root is slender (''-eamh'') or broad (''-amh'').
  
−
{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
+
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 
!Imperative
 
!Imperative
 
!verbal Noun
 
!verbal Noun
Line 72: Line 297:
 
|seasamh
 
|seasamh
 
|sit
 
|sit
 +
|-
 +
|caith
 +
|caitheamh
 +
|spend
 +
|-
 +
|feith
 +
|feitheamh
 +
|wait (for)
 +
|-
 +
|maoidh
 +
|maoidheamh
 +
|threaten
 
|}
 
|}
  
 +
For other examples see [[Verbal Nouns]]
  
−
==Suffix -t(a)inn  ==
 
  
−
{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
+
==Suffix ''-ad'' (Mark's type 8)==
 +
Verbs of this class create the verbal noun by suffixing ''-ad''. If necessary the final consonant is made broad before suffixation. This group is very small. Mark (2006) lists only 3 members.
 +
 
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 
!Imperative
 
!Imperative
 
!verbal Noun
 
!verbal Noun
 
!verb meaning
 
!verb meaning
 
|-
 
|-
−
|cluinn
+
|blais
−
|cluinntinn
+
|blasad
−
|listen
+
|taste
 +
|-
 +
|gluais
 +
|gluasad
 +
|move
 +
|-
 +
|greas
 +
|greasad
 +
|hurry
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Suffix ''-ail'' or ''-eil'' to the root (Mark's group 9)==
 +
 
 +
===Suffix ''-ail'' (Mark's group 9a)===
 +
Verbs in this group all end in a [[Broad (definition)|broad]] consonant, and suffix ''-ail''
 +
 
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
!Imperative
 +
!verbal Noun
 +
!verb meaning
 +
|-
 +
|fàg
 +
|fàgail
 +
|leave
 +
|-
 +
|gabh
 +
|gabhail
 +
|take/receive
 +
|-
 +
|cùm
 +
|cùmail
 +
|keep
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
For other examples see [[Verbal Nouns]]
 +
 
 +
===Suffix ''-eil'' (Mark's group 9b)===
 +
Verbs in this group all end in a [[Slender (definition)|slender]] consonant, and suffix ''-eil''.
 +
 
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
!Imperative
 +
!verbal Noun
 +
!verb meaning
 +
|-
 +
|tilg
 +
|tilgeil
 +
|throw
 +
|-
 +
|leig
 +
|leigeil
 +
|permit
 
|-
 
|-
−
|seall
+
|snàig
−
|sealltainn
+
|snàigeil
−
|look
+
|creep
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
==Suffix -e==
+
For other examples see [[Verbal Nouns]]
−
{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
+
 
 +
 
 +
==Suffix ''-e'' (Mark's type 10) ==
 +
Verbs in this class take an ''-e'' suffix. They all end in [[Slender (definition)|slender]] consonants
 +
 
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 
!Imperative
 
!Imperative
 
!verbal Noun
 
!verbal Noun
Line 104: Line 400:
 
|suidhe
 
|suidhe
 
|sit
 
|sit
 +
|-
 +
|fuin
 +
|fuine
 +
|bake
 +
|}
 +
 +
For other examples see [[Verbal Nouns]]
 +
 +
 +
==Suffix -d or -(e)achd (Mark's class 11)==
 +
The verbal nouns in this class end up ending in ''-(e)achd'', this happens either by changing an underlying -aich/-ich ending into ''-each'' and then suffixing ''-d' or by directly suffixing ''-eachd'' to a bare root.
 +
 +
 +
===Change ''-aich'' to ''-ach'', suffix ''-d'' (Mark's 11a)===
 +
Verbs of this subtype all end in ''-aich''. The ending [[Broadening (definition)|broadens]] to ''-ach'' by deleting the final orthographic <nowiki> <i> </nowiki> and ''-d'' is suffixed.
 +
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
!Imperative
 +
!verbal Noun
 +
!verb meaning
 +
|-
 +
|cleasaich
 +
|cleasachd
 +
|playing
 +
|-
 +
|cnuasaich
 +
|cnuasachd
 +
|collect
 +
|-
 +
|iasgaich
 +
|iasgachd
 +
|fish
 +
|}
 +
 +
For other examples see [[Verbal Nouns]]
 +
 +
===Change ''-ich'' to ''-each'' and suffix ''-d'' (Mark's 11b)===
 +
Verbs of this subtype all end in ''-ich''. The ending [[Broadening (definition)|broadens]] to ''-each'' by changing the final orthographic <nowiki> <i> </nowiki> into <ea> and then suffixing ''-d'.
 +
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
!Imperative
 +
!verbal Noun
 +
!verb meaning
 +
|-
 +
|faighnich
 +
|faighneachd
 +
|ask
 +
|-
 +
|coisich
 +
|coiseachd
 +
|walk
 +
|}
 +
 +
For other examples see [[Verbal Nouns]]
 +
 +
 +
===Suffix ''-(e)achd'' (Mark's 11c)===
 +
Verbs of this subtype do not end in ''-aich'' or ''-ich'', the root is suffixed with ''-achd'' or "-eachd"
 +
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
!Imperative
 +
!verbal Noun
 +
!verb meaning
 +
|-
 +
|greas
 +
|greasachd
 +
|hurry
 +
|-
 +
|èist
 +
|èisteachd
 +
|listen
 +
|-
 +
|cnuas
 +
|cnuasachd
 +
|gather
 +
|-
 +
|gluais
 +
|glausachd
 +
|move
 
|}
 
|}
  
 +
For other examples see [[Verbal Nouns]]
  
−
==Verbal noun is the same as the imperative==
 
  
−
{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
+
==Suffix ''-(a)ich'' to root (Mark's 12) ==
 +
This group is also very rare (Mark lists 6 members). A verbal noun is formed by suffixing either ''-aich'' or ''-ich'' (and rarely "-naich") to the root. The choice depends upon whether the final consonant of the root is broad or slender.
 +
 
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 
!Imperative
 
!Imperative
 
!verbal Noun
 
!verbal Noun
 
!verb meaning
 
!verb meaning
 
|-
 
|-
−
|leum
+
|beuc
−
|leum
+
|beucaich
−
|jump
+
|roar
 +
|-
 +
|bùir
 +
|bùirich
 +
|roar
 +
|-
 +
|geum
 +
|geumnaich
 +
|low cattle
 +
|-
 +
|glaodh
 +
|glaodhaich
 +
|shout/proclaim
 +
|-
 +
|mèil
 +
|mèilich
 +
|bleat
 +
|-
 +
|ràn
 +
|rànaich
 +
|roar/cry
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==Archaic endings ''-(e)achdainn'' (Mark's 13)==
 +
These are archaic endings that can be found in older writing.
 +
 
 +
===Suffix ''-(e)achdainn'' (Mark's 13a) ===
 +
 
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
!Imperative
 +
!verbal Noun
 +
!verb meaning
 +
|-
 +
|gàir
 +
|gàireachdainn
 +
|laugh
 +
|-
 +
|gèill
 +
|gèilleachdainn
 +
|surrender
 +
|-
 +
|mair
 +
|màireachdainn
 +
|last
 +
|-
 +
|saoil
 +
|saoileachdainn
 +
|think
 +
|-
 +
|sgar
 +
|sgarachdainn
 +
|tear apart
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Change ''-ich'' to ''-each'' and ''-aich'' to ''-ach'' and suffix ''-dainn'' (Mark's 13b) ===
 +
 
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
!Imperative
 +
!verbal Noun
 +
!verb meaning
 +
|-
 +
|caraich
 +
|carachdainn
 +
|move/sway
 +
|-
 +
|dealaich
 +
|dealachdainn
 +
|separate
 +
|-
 +
|dùraig
 +
|dùrachdainn
 +
|wish/hope
 +
|-
 +
|fairich
 +
|faireachdainn
 +
|feel/sense
 +
|-
 +
|teirig
 +
|teireachdainn
 +
|fail
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Irregular non-suppletive changes (Part of Mark's E (eccentric) class)==
 +
 
 +
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
!Imperative
 +
!verbal Noun
 +
!verb meaning
 +
|-
 +
|bìd
 +
|bìdil
 +
|chirp
 +
|-
 +
|bog
 +
|bogadan
 +
|wag/bob/shake
 +
|-
 +
|caislich
 +
|caisleadh
 +
|stir, wake-up
 +
|-
 +
|càirich
 +
|càrach
 +
|mend/repair
 +
|-
 +
|còmhnaich
 +
|còmhnaidh
 +
|dwell
 +
|-
 +
|dìrich
 +
|dìreadh
 +
|climb/ascend
 +
|-
 +
|èigh
 +
|èigheach
 +
|shout/call
 +
|-
 +
|èirich
 +
|èirigh
 +
|rise/get up
 +
|-
 +
|eubh
 +
|eubhach
 +
|shout/call
 +
|-
 +
|feuch
 +
|feuchainn
 +
|try
 +
|-
 +
|fuaigh
 +
|fuaigheal
 +
|sew
 +
|-
 +
|gàir
 +
|gàireachdaich
 +
|laugh
 +
|-
 +
|gin
 +
|gineamhainn
 +
|beget
 +
|-
 +
|iarr
 +
|iarraidh
 +
|ask/want
 +
|-
 +
|ionaltair
 +
|ionailt
 +
|graze/feed
 +
|-
 +
|lean
 +
|leanmhainn/leanailt
 +
|continue/follow
 +
|-
 +
|mair
 +
|maireann
 +
|last
 
|-
 
|-
−
|obair
+
|obraich
 
|obair
 
|obair
 
|work
 
|work
 
|-
 
|-
−
|òl
+
|ruig
−
|òl
+
|ruigeachd
−
|drink
+
|reach
 +
|-
 +
|soillsich
 +
|soillseadh
 +
|enlighten
 +
|-
 +
|teasairg
 +
|teasairginn
 +
|save
 +
|-
 +
|tionail
 +
|tionailt
 +
|gather/assemble
 
|-
 
|-
−
|ruith
+
|tuit
−
|ruith
+
|tuiteam
−
|run
+
|fall
 
|-
 
|-
−
|seinn
+
|ruig
−
|seinn
+
|ruigsinn/ruigheachd
−
|sing
+
|reach
 
|-
 
|-
−
|stad
+
|beir
−
|stad
+
|breith/beirsinn
−
|stop
+
|bear
 
|-
 
|-
−
|streap
+
|thig
−
|streap
+
|tighinn
−
|climb
+
|come
 +
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
==Broaden final consonant ==
 
−
 
−
 
−
==Irregular non-suppletive changes==
 
  
 +
==Suppletive verbal nouns (Part of Mark's E (eccentric) class) ==
  
−
==Suppletive verbal nouns==
+
:{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
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{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 
 
!Imperative
 
!Imperative
 
!verbal Noun
 
!verbal Noun
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|falbh
 
|falbh
 
|leave
 
|leave
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|-
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|faigh
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|faighinn/faotainn
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|get
 
|}
 
|}
 +
[[Category: Morphology]]
 +
[[Category: Lexical Item]]

Latest revision as of 15:27, 8 November 2009

This section is largely based on chapter 8 of Colin Marks (2006) Gaelic Verbs: Systemized and Simplified, although some extra generalizations and patterns are reported here.


Suffix -(e)adh (Mark's type 1)

The most common way to form a verbal noun is to suffix some version of the suffix -adh or -eadh (pronounced either /u/ or /əg/). There are several variants of this, listed bleow


Suffix -adh (Mark's type 1a)

One common way to form the verbal noun is to suffix -adh to a root ending a broad consonant.

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
danns dannsadh dance
leugh leughadh read
pòg pògadh kiss
sgriobh sgriobhadh write

For other examples see Verbal Nouns


Suffix -eadh (Marks type 1b)

When the root ends in a [[Slender (definition)}slender]] consonant, one common way to form the verbal noun is to suffix -eadh.

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
bris briseadh break
mill milleadh spoil
pàigh pàigheadh pay

For other examples see Verbal Nouns


Broaden and suffix -adh (Mark's type 1c, d, e)

This method is used for words ending in -aich, monosyllabic words ending in -ail, and -ich and a few other forms. To form the verbal noun, make the final consonant broad by doing one of the following, then suffix -adh.

  • Type 1c: broaden final consonant, by deleting orthographic <i> (i) e.g., dùin --> dùn+adh, (ii) -ail --> al+adh, e.g., buail --> bualadh
  • Type 1d: -aich --> -ach+adh, e.g., beannaich --> beannachadh
  • Type 1e: -ich --> -each+adh, e.g. litrich --> litreachadh
Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
dòirt dòrtadh spill
buail bualadh strike
dùin dunadh close
beannaich beannachadh bless
ciùinich ciùineachadh clam

For other examples see Verbal Nouns


Broaden, syncope final syllable, suffix -adh (Mark type 1f)

where C stands for any consonant.

  • type fi: Cail --> Cl+adh, e.g., fosgail --> fosgladh
  • type fii Cair --> Cr+adh, e.g., cobhair --> cobhradh (According to Mark, almost all the members of this type have alternative formations using type 4 -- see below)
  • type fii Cainn --> Cn+adh, e.g., faochainn --> faochnadh
  • relatedly but without broadening: sluaisir --> sluaisreadh and innis --> innseadh or innse.
Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
fosgail fosgladh open
cobhair cobhradh help
faochainn faochnadh beg
amail amladh entangle
bagair bagradh terrify/threaten
seachainn seachnadh avoid

For other examples see Verbal Nouns


Verbal noun is the same as the imperative (Mark's type 2)

For some nouns, the root and the imperative are identical

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
leum leum jump
obair obair work
òl òl drink
ruith ruith run
seinn seinn sing
stad stad stop
streap streap climb

For other examples see Verbal Nouns


Broaden final consonant (Mark's type 3)

With some roots one can create a verbal noun by broadening a final slender consonant. To do this either drop the <i> before the final consonant (e.g. amhairc --> amharc) if there is another (broad) vowel next to it, or by changing a final <i> to an <ea> (when there is no other vowel next to it.

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
caill call lose
amhairc amharc see
àraich àrach rear

For other examples see Verbal Nouns


Suffix -t to Root (Mark's type 4)

Many roots ending in -air form the verbal noun by suffixing -t:

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
tachair tachairt meeting
labhair labhairt speak
tagair tagairt pleat
freagair freagairt answer
thoir toirt give/take

For other examples see Verbal Nouns


Suffix -sinn (Mark's type 5)

Altough much rarer, some verbs require the suffix -sinn to form the verbal noun.

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
tuig tuigsinn understand
creid creidsinn believe
saoil saoilsinn think

For other examples see Verbal Nouns


Suffix -t(a)inn (Mark's type 6)

Verbs of this class take either -tainn or -tinn (depending upon whether they end in a broad or slender consonant).

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
cluinn cluinntinn listen
seall sealltainn look

For other examples see Verbal Nouns


Suffix -(e)amh (Mark's type 7)

This group of verbs suffixes either -eamh or -amh to the root, depending upon whether the final consonant of the root is slender (-eamh) or broad (-amh).

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
dean deanamh do
seas seasamh sit
caith caitheamh spend
feith feitheamh wait (for)
maoidh maoidheamh threaten

For other examples see Verbal Nouns


Suffix -ad (Mark's type 8)

Verbs of this class create the verbal noun by suffixing -ad. If necessary the final consonant is made broad before suffixation. This group is very small. Mark (2006) lists only 3 members.

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
blais blasad taste
gluais gluasad move
greas greasad hurry


Suffix -ail or -eil to the root (Mark's group 9)

Suffix -ail (Mark's group 9a)

Verbs in this group all end in a broad consonant, and suffix -ail

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
fàg fàgail leave
gabh gabhail take/receive
cùm cùmail keep

For other examples see Verbal Nouns

Suffix -eil (Mark's group 9b)

Verbs in this group all end in a slender consonant, and suffix -eil.

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
tilg tilgeil throw
leig leigeil permit
snàig snàigeil creep

For other examples see Verbal Nouns


Suffix -e (Mark's type 10)

Verbs in this class take an -e suffix. They all end in slender consonants

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
ith ithe eat
suidh suidhe sit
fuin fuine bake

For other examples see Verbal Nouns


Suffix -d or -(e)achd (Mark's class 11)

The verbal nouns in this class end up ending in -(e)achd, this happens either by changing an underlying -aich/-ich ending into -each and then suffixing -d' or by directly suffixing -eachd to a bare root.


Change -aich to -ach, suffix -d (Mark's 11a)

Verbs of this subtype all end in -aich. The ending broadens to -ach by deleting the final orthographic <i> and -d is suffixed.

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
cleasaich cleasachd playing
cnuasaich cnuasachd collect
iasgaich iasgachd fish

For other examples see Verbal Nouns

Change -ich to -each and suffix -d (Mark's 11b)

Verbs of this subtype all end in -ich. The ending broadens to -each by changing the final orthographic <i> into <ea> and then suffixing -d'.

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
faighnich faighneachd ask
coisich coiseachd walk

For other examples see Verbal Nouns


Suffix -(e)achd (Mark's 11c)

Verbs of this subtype do not end in -aich or -ich, the root is suffixed with -achd or "-eachd"

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
greas greasachd hurry
èist èisteachd listen
cnuas cnuasachd gather
gluais glausachd move

For other examples see Verbal Nouns


Suffix -(a)ich to root (Mark's 12)

This group is also very rare (Mark lists 6 members). A verbal noun is formed by suffixing either -aich or -ich (and rarely "-naich") to the root. The choice depends upon whether the final consonant of the root is broad or slender.

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
beuc beucaich roar
bùir bùirich roar
geum geumnaich low cattle
glaodh glaodhaich shout/proclaim
mèil mèilich bleat
ràn rànaich roar/cry

Archaic endings -(e)achdainn (Mark's 13)

These are archaic endings that can be found in older writing.

Suffix -(e)achdainn (Mark's 13a)

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
gàir gàireachdainn laugh
gèill gèilleachdainn surrender
mair màireachdainn last
saoil saoileachdainn think
sgar sgarachdainn tear apart


Change -ich to -each and -aich to -ach and suffix -dainn (Mark's 13b)

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
caraich carachdainn move/sway
dealaich dealachdainn separate
dùraig dùrachdainn wish/hope
fairich faireachdainn feel/sense
teirig teireachdainn fail


Irregular non-suppletive changes (Part of Mark's E (eccentric) class)

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
bìd bìdil chirp
bog bogadan wag/bob/shake
caislich caisleadh stir, wake-up
càirich càrach mend/repair
còmhnaich còmhnaidh dwell
dìrich dìreadh climb/ascend
èigh èigheach shout/call
èirich èirigh rise/get up
eubh eubhach shout/call
feuch feuchainn try
fuaigh fuaigheal sew
gàir gàireachdaich laugh
gin gineamhainn beget
iarr iarraidh ask/want
ionaltair ionailt graze/feed
lean leanmhainn/leanailt continue/follow
mair maireann last
obraich obair work
ruig ruigeachd reach
soillsich soillseadh enlighten
teasairg teasairginn save
tionail tionailt gather/assemble
tuit tuiteam fall
ruig ruigsinn/ruigheachd reach
beir breith/beirsinn bear
thig tighinn come


Suppletive verbal nouns (Part of Mark's E (eccentric) class)

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
abair ràdh say
rach dol go
thàladh falbh leave
faigh faighinn/faotainn get
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