Difference between revisions of "Bi (irregular verb)"

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''Bi'' is also used as the primary auxiliary
 
''Bi'' is also used as the primary auxiliary
  
 +
''Bi'' is one of 11 [[:Category:Irregular Verb|irregular verbs]] in Gaelic.
  
−
''Bi'' is one of 11 [[:Category:Irregular Verb|irregular verbs]] in Gaelic. It uses an irregular [[Suppletion (definition)|suppletive]] form in the simple [[Past tense (definition)|past]] and the [[Impersonal (definition)|impersonal]] past. These forms (along with the active [[Relative future tense (definition)|relative future]]), and active [[Conditional mood (definition)|conditional]] irregularly require that when using a [[Person (definition)|2nd person]] [[Singular (definition)|singular]] (you), that the pronoun surfaces as ''tu'' instead of ''thu''.
+
==Uses==
  
 +
''Bi'' is never used to connect two noun phrases (John is a doctor, John is the doctor), nor is it used as the clefting particle (It is Susan who left), for those constructions use the [[Copula]]
 +
Bi is however used in the following contexts:
 +
*as the auxiliary in progressives
 +
*as the auxiliary in perfects
 +
*as the auxiliary in stative construction
 +
*as the be verb used with adjectives, prepositional phrases, and adverbs
 +
*as the auxiliary in 'nam 'nad 'na constructions marking professions and temporary states:  Bha mi 'nam ghille 'nuair a ....
  
 
==Summary  of forms==
 
==Summary  of forms==
  
 
*Independent forms of the verb ''bi'' are used without any particles.
 
*Independent forms of the verb ''bi'' are used without any particles.
−
*Dependent forms of the verb ''cluinn'' are used after ''an'', ''nach'', and other verbal particles (except ''cha'').
+
*Unlike regular verbs, the [[Dependent verb form (definition)|dependent]] past tense particle ''[[Do (tense marker)|do]]'' is never used with ''tha''.
−
*Cha takes dependent forms but [[Lenition|lenites]] the verb.
 
−
*Unlike regular verbs, the [[Dependent verb form (definition)|dependent]] past tense particle ''[[Do (tense marker)|do]]'' is never used with ''cluinn''.
 
  
  
 
{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"  
 
{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"  
−
!colspan="3"|context!!independent!!After Cha||Dependent
+
!colspan="3"|context!!independent!!After Cha(n)!!gun/nach!!after a'/an/am question particle
 
|-align=center
 
|-align=center
−
!rowspan="6"|basic forms!!rowspan="3"|active!!past<sup>1</sup>
+
!rowspan="8"|basic forms!!rowspan="4"|active!!past
−
|colspan="2"|Tha
+
|bha
−
|
+
|colspan="3"|robh
 +
|-align=center
 +
!Present
 +
|tha
 +
|colspan="2"|eil
 +
|bheil
 
|-align=center
 
|-align=center
 
!Future
 
!Future
−
|
+
|bidh/bithidh
−
|
+
|bhi
−
|
+
|colspan="2"|bi
 
|-align=center
 
|-align=center
−
!Relative Future<sup>1</sup>
+
!Relative Future
−
|colspan="2"|---||
+
|colspan="4"|bi (used in negatives), bhios/bhitheas<sup>1</sup> (used in positives)
 
|-align=center
 
|-align=center
−
!rowspan="3"|impersonal<sup>1</sup>!!past
+
!rowspan="4"|impersonal<sup>1</sup>!!past
−
|colspan="2"|  
+
|bhatar or bhathar or bhathas
−
|
+
|colspan="3"|robhar
 +
|-align=center
 +
!present
 +
|thatar or thathar or thathas
 +
|colspan="2"|eilear or eileas
 +
|bheilear or bheileas
 
|-align=center
 
|-align=center
 
!future
 
!future
−
|
+
|bithear
−
|
+
|bhithear
−
|rowspan="2"|  
+
|colspan="2"| bithear
 
|-align=center
 
|-align=center
 
!relative future
 
!relative future
−
|colspan="2"|---
+
| ---
 +
|colspan="3"|bhithear (after particles that trigger the relative future)
 
|-align=center
 
|-align=center
 
!rowspan="2"|Conditional Mood!!colspan="2"|active
 
!rowspan="2"|Conditional Mood!!colspan="2"|active
−
|colspan="2"|<sup>2</sup> in 1st singular)
+
|colspan="2"|bhitheadh/bhiodh <br> (bhitinn<sup>2</sup> in 1st sing) <br> (bhitheamaid<sup>2,4</sup> in 1st pl)
−
| (<sup>2</sup> in 1st sing)
+
|colspan="2"|bitheadh/biodh<br> (bithinn<sup>2</sup> in 1st sing) <br> (bitheamaid<sup>2,4</sup> in 1st pl)
 
|-align=center
 
|-align=center
 
!colspan="2"|impersonal
 
!colspan="2"|impersonal
−
|colspan="2"|(in Lewis)  
+
|colspan="2"|bhite or bhithist(e)
−
|(in Lewis)
+
|colspan="2"|bite or bithist(e)
 
|-align=center
 
|-align=center
 
!rowspan="5"|Imperative Mood!!rowspan="2"|1st person!!singular
 
!rowspan="5"|Imperative Mood!!rowspan="2"|1st person!!singular
−
|<sup>2</sup>||colspan="2" rowspan="8"|---
+
|bitheam<sup>2</sup>||colspan="3" rowspan="8"|---
 
|-align=center
 
|-align=center
 
!plural
 
!plural
−
|<sup>2</sup>
+
|bitheamaid<sup>2</sup>
 
|-align=center
 
|-align=center
 
!rowspan="2"|2nd person!!singular
 
!rowspan="2"|2nd person!!singular
−
|<sup>2</sup>
+
|bi<sup>2</sup>
 
|-align=center
 
|-align=center
 
!plural
 
!plural
−
|<sup>2</sup>
+
|bithibh<sup>2</sup>
 
|-align=center
 
|-align=center
 
!colspan="2"|3rd person
 
!colspan="2"|3rd person
−
|
+
|biodh/bitheadh
 
|-align=center
 
|-align=center
 
!colspan="3"|verbal noun
 
!colspan="3"|verbal noun
−
|(sometimes)
+
|a bhith <sup>3</sup>
 
|}
 
|}
 
Notes:
 
Notes:
−
*<sup>1</sup> with the past tense, relative future and impersonal forms of this verb, the pronoun ''tu'' is used instead of ''thu''
+
*<sup>1</sup> with the relative future and impersonal forms of this verb, the pronoun ''tu'' is used instead of ''thu''
 
*<sup>2</sup> these forms are not used with any subject, they contain the subject in the inflection of the verb ([[Pro-Drop]])
 
*<sup>2</sup> these forms are not used with any subject, they contain the subject in the inflection of the verb ([[Pro-Drop]])
−
 
+
*<sup>3</sup> infinitive use only
 +
*<sup>4</sup> rare
 +
<br>
  
 
==Non Conditional Moods (indicative, interrogative, negative)==
 
==Non Conditional Moods (indicative, interrogative, negative)==
Line 101: Line 120:
 
|Bha iad||an robh iad||Cha robh iad||nach robh iad
 
|Bha iad||an robh iad||Cha robh iad||nach robh iad
 
|}
 
|}
 +
  
 
====Present tense====
 
====Present tense====
Line 108: Line 128:
 
|-
 
|-
 
! 1
 
! 1
−
|Tha mi ||am bheil mi ||Chan eil mi||nach eil mi
+
|Tha mi ||a' bheil mi ||Chan eil mi||nach eil mi
 
|-
 
|-
 
!2
 
!2
−
|Tha thu ||am bheil thu ||Chan eil thu||nach eil thu
+
|Tha thu ||a' bheil thu ||Chan eil thu||nach eil thu
 
|-
 
|-
 
!3 masc
 
!3 masc
−
|Tha e||am bheil e||Chan eil e||nach eil e
+
|Tha e||a' bheil e||Chan eil e||nach eil e
 
|-
 
|-
 
!3 fem
 
!3 fem
−
|Tha i||am bheil i||Chan eil i||nach eil i  
+
|Tha i||a' bheil i||Chan eil i||nach eil i  
 
|-
 
|-
 
! 1 pl
 
! 1 pl
−
|Tha sinn ||am bheil sinn ||Chan eil sinn||nach eil sinn
+
|Tha sinn ||a' bheil sinn ||Chan eil sinn||nach eil sinn
 
|-
 
|-
 
!2 pl
 
!2 pl
−
|Tha sibh ||am bheil sibh ||Chan eil sibh||nach eil sibh
+
|Tha sibh ||a' bheil sibh ||Chan eil sibh||nach eil sibh
 
|-
 
|-
 
!3 pl
 
!3 pl
−
|Tha iad||am bheil iad||Chan eil iad||nach eil iad
+
|Tha iad||a' bheil iad||Chan eil iad||nach eil iad
 
|}
 
|}
−
 
+
<br>
−
 
 
  
 
====Future tense====
 
====Future tense====
  
−
The [[Future tense (definition)|future tense]] in Gaelic is used to express the idea that an event will happen sometime after the speech time. Unlike English, the future tense can also be used with a present tense meaning, to express the idea that an action is [[habitual]].
+
The [[Future Tense (definition)|future tense]] in Gaelic is used to express the idea that an event will happen sometime after the speech time. Unlike English, the future tense can also be used with a present tense meaning, to express the idea that an action is [[Habitual Aspect (definition)|habitual]].
  
 
{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 
{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
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# the relative future is  used after certain particles such as ''ma'' or the particle used with questions ''a''.
 
# the relative future is  used after certain particles such as ''ma'' or the particle used with questions ''a''.
 
# Note that in the relative future the pronoun ''tu'' is used in lieu of ''thu''.
 
# Note that in the relative future the pronoun ''tu'' is used in lieu of ''thu''.
−
 
+
<br>
  
 
----
 
----
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===Impersonal/Passive Voice===
 
===Impersonal/Passive Voice===
  
−
FIX FIX FIX FIX FIX FIX
+
Gaelic verbs don't technically have a [[Passive (definition)|Passive]] verb form. Instead the passive is typically represented through a [[Periphrastic (definition)|periphrastic]] construction using the verbs ''Rach'' or ''Tha'' + the passive marker ''air''. It does, however, have an [[Impersonal (definition)|impersonal]] form. The '''Impersonal''' is used to indicate an indeterminate subject. ''bhatar mi'  means "I was been"
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
Gaelic verbs don't technically have a [[Passive (definition)|Passive]] verb form. Instead the passive is typically represented through a [[Periphrastic (definition)|periphrastic]] construction using the verbs ''Rach'' or ''Tha'' + the passive marker ''air''. It does, however, have an [[Impersonal (definition)|impersonal]] form. The '''Impersonal''' is used to indicate an indeterminate subject. ''X''  can be best translated as "someone heard". Use of a pronoun is completely optional. So "XXX" is a completely well-formed sentence. When used with a pronoun, the pronoun represents the logical object of the verb. So "chualas mi" means "Someone heard me".  This is often translated as "I was heard", hence the typical "passive" label.
 
  
−
Since Gaelic doesn't distinguish between subject and object pronouns (unlike it's sibling [[Modern Irish]]), it is very difficult to determine if these pronouns are subjects or objects. We list them here as if they were subjects, with the understanding that the pronouns in the following tables represent the logical objects of the verb (the person who was heard, not the hearer).
+
Since Gaelic doesn't distinguish between subject and object pronouns (unlike it's sibling [[Modern Irish]]), it is very difficult to determine if these pronouns are subjects or objects. We list them here as if they were subjects, with the understanding that the pronouns in the following tables represent the logical objects of the verb
  
 
====Past tense====
 
====Past tense====
  
 
{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 
{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
−
! !!Declarative!!Question!!Negative!!Negative Question
+
!Declarative!!Question!!Negative!!Negative Question
−
|-
 
−
! 1
 
−
|chualas mi ||an cualas mi ||cha chualas mi||nach cualas mi
 
−
|-
 
−
!2
 
−
|chualas tu<sup>1</sup> ||an cualas tu ||cha chualas tu||nach cualas tu
 
−
|-
 
−
!3 masc
 
−
|chualas e||an cualsa e||cha chualas e||nach cualas e
 
−
|-
 
−
!3 fem
 
−
|chualas i||an cualas i||cha chualas i||nach cualas i
 
−
|-
 
−
! 1 pl
 
−
|chualas sinn ||an cualas sinn ||cha chualas sinn||nach cualas sinn
 
−
|-
 
−
!2 pl
 
−
|chualas sibh ||an cualas sibh ||cha chualas sibh||nach cualas sibh
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
!3 pl
+
|bhatar||an robhar||cha robhar||nach robhar
−
|chualas iad||an cualas iad||cha chualas iad||nach cualas iad
 
 
|}
 
|}
−
Notes:
+
<br>
−
#The pronoun ''tu'' is used here instead of ''thu''
 
−
 
 
  
 
====Present tense====
 
====Present tense====
  
−
The use of a passive in the present tense is odd, even in English. But if forced, one would use a passive periphrastic construction using the present tense of the verb ''bi'' followed by the derived subject followed by ''air'' and finally the verb in verbal noun form:
+
The use of a passive in the present tense is odd, even in English. But here are the relevant forms if you should ever need them.
  
−
:{|
+
{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
−
|Tha||mi||air||cluinntinn
+
!Declarative!!Question!!Negative!!Negative Question
−
|-
 
−
|be.pres||1s||passive||hear.vn
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|colspan="4"|"I am heard"
+
|thatar ||a' bheilear ||chan eilear||nach eilear
 
|}
 
|}
−
 
+
<br>
  
 
====Future tense====
 
====Future tense====
  
 
{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 
{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
−
! !!Declarative!!Question!!Negative!!Negative Question||Relative Future<sup>1</sup>
+
!Declarative!!Question!!Negative!!Negative Question!!Relative Future
−
|-
 
−
! 1
 
−
|cluinnear mi ||an cluinnear mi ||cha chluinnear mi||nach cluinnear mi||a chluinnear mi
 
−
|-
 
−
!2
 
−
|cluinnear thu ||an cluinnear thu ||cha chluinnear thu||nach cluinnear thu||a chluinnear thu
 
−
|-
 
−
!3 masc
 
−
|cluinnear e||an cluinnear e||cha chluinnear e||nach cluinnear e||a chluinnear e
 
−
|-
 
−
!3 fem
 
−
|cluinnear i||an cluinnear i||cha chluinnear i||nach cluinnear i ||a chluinnear i
 
−
|-
 
−
! 1 pl
 
−
|cluinnear sinn ||an cluinnear sinn ||cha chluinnear sinn||nach cluinnear sinn||a chluinnear sinn
 
−
|-
 
−
!2
 
−
|cluinnear sibh ||an cluinnear sibh ||cha chluinnear sibh||nach cluinnear sibh||a chluinnear sibh
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
!3 pl
+
|bithear ||am bithear ||cha bhithear||nach bithear||a bhithear
−
|cluinnear iad||an cluinnear iad||cha chluinnear iad||nach cluinnear iad||a chluinnear iad
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
Notes
 
Notes
 
# the relative future is  used after certain particles such as ''a'' the particle used with questions, or ''ma'' "if".
 
# the relative future is  used after certain particles such as ''a'' the particle used with questions, or ''ma'' "if".
 +
 +
<br>
  
 
==Conditional Mood==
 
==Conditional Mood==
Line 255: Line 231:
 
|-
 
|-
 
! 1
 
! 1
−
| chluinninn<sup>1</sup> ||an cluinninn ||cha chluinninn||nach cluinninn
+
| bhithinn<sup>1</sup> ||am bithinn ||cha bhithinn||nach bithinn
 
|-
 
|-
 
!2
 
!2
−
|chluinneadh tu<sup>2</sup>||an cluinneadh tu ||cha chluinneadh tu||nach cluinneadh tu
+
|bhiodh tu<sup>2</sup>||am biodh tu ||cha bhiodh tu||nach biodh tu
 
|-
 
|-
 
!3 masc
 
!3 masc
−
|chluinneadh e||an cluinneadh e||cha chluinneadh e||nach cluinneadh e
+
|bhiodh e||am biodh e||cha bhiodh e||nach biodh e
 
|-
 
|-
 
!3 fem
 
!3 fem
−
|chluinneadh i||an cluinneadh i||cha chluinneadh i||nach cluinneadh i  
+
|bhiodh i||am biodh i||cha bhiodh i||nach biodh i  
 
|-
 
|-
 
! 1 pl
 
! 1 pl
−
|chluinneadh sinn (chluinneamaid<sup>3</sup>)||an cluinneadh sinn (an cluinneamaid<sup>3</sup>)||cha chluinneadh sinn (cha chluinneamaid<sup>3</sup>)||nach cluinneadh sinn (nach cluinneamaid<sup>3</sup>)
+
|bhiodh sinn (bhiomaid<sup>3</sup>)||am biodh sinn (am biomaid<sup>3</sup>)||cha bhiodh sinn (cha bhiomaid<sup>3</sup>)||nach biodh sinn (nach biomaid<sup>3</sup>)
 
|-
 
|-
 
!2 pl
 
!2 pl
−
|chluinneadh sibh ||an cluinneadh sibh ||cha chluinneadh sibh||nach cluinneadh sibh
+
|bhiodh sibh ||am biodh sibh ||cha bhiodh sibh||nach biodh sibh
 
|-
 
|-
 
!3 pl
 
!3 pl
−
|chluinneadh iad||an cluinneadh iad||cha chluinneadh iad||nach cluinneadh iad
+
|bhiodh iad||am biodh iad||cha bhiodh iad||nach biodh iad
 
|}
 
|}
 
Notes:
 
Notes:
Line 279: Line 255:
 
#The pronoun ''tu'' is used here instead of ''thu''
 
#The pronoun ''tu'' is used here instead of ''thu''
 
#The 1st person plural has a special inflected form, which like the first person singular is never used with a pronoun. This 1st person plural form is rarely used anymore.
 
#The 1st person plural has a special inflected form, which like the first person singular is never used with a pronoun. This 1st person plural form is rarely used anymore.
−
 
+
<br>
  
 
====passive====
 
====passive====
Line 287: Line 263:
 
|-
 
|-
 
! 1
 
! 1
−
| chluinnte mi||an cluinnte mi ||cha chluinnte mi||nach cluinnte mi
+
| bhite mi||am bite mi ||cha bhite mi||nach bite mi
 
|-
 
|-
 
!2
 
!2
−
|chluinnte thu||an cluinnte thu ||cha chluinnte thu||nach cluinnte thu
+
|bhite thu||am bite thu ||cha bhite thu||nach bite thu
 
|-
 
|-
 
!3 masc
 
!3 masc
−
|chluinnte e||an cluinnte e||cha chluinnte e||nach cluinnte e
+
|bhite e||am bite e||cha bhite e||nach bite e
 
|-
 
|-
 
!3 fem
 
!3 fem
−
|chluinnte i||an cluinnte i||cha chluinnte i||nach cluinnte i  
+
|bhite i||am bite i||cha bhite i||nach bite i  
 
|-
 
|-
 
! 1 pl
 
! 1 pl
−
|chluinnte sinn ||an cluinnte sinn ||cha chluinnte sinn||nach cluinnte sinn
+
|bhite sinn ||am bite sinn ||cha bhite sinn||nach bite sinn
 
|-
 
|-
 
!2 pl
 
!2 pl
−
|chluinnte sibh ||an cluinnte sibh ||cha chluinnte sibh||nach cluinnte sibh
+
|bhite sibh ||am bite sibh ||cha bhite sibh||nach bite sibh
 
|-
 
|-
 
!3 pl
 
!3 pl
−
|chluinnte iad||an cluinnte iad||cha chluinnte iad||nach cluinnte iad
+
|bhite iad||am bite iad||cha bhite iad||nach bite iad
 
|}
 
|}
−
 
+
<br>
−
 
 
  
 
==Imperative Mood==
 
==Imperative Mood==
  
−
The Imperative mood is used when giving a command. 2nd person imperatives are the most common. In English these are translated with by just the verb "Hear!". 1st and 3rd person imperatives translated loosely as "Let me hear", "let us hear", "let he/she/them hear". The 1st person plural and third person imperatives are the same as the conditional forms except without [[Lenition|lenition]]
+
The Imperative mood is used when giving a command. 2nd person imperatives are the most common. In English these are translated with by just the verb "Hear!". 1st and 3rd person imperatives translated loosely as "Let me be", "let us be", "let he/she/them be". The 1st person plural and third person imperatives are the same as the conditional forms except without [[Lenition|lenition]]
  
 
{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"  
 
{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"  
Line 320: Line 295:
 
!rowspan="4"|singular
 
!rowspan="4"|singular
 
!1
 
!1
−
|cluinneam<sup>1</sup>
+
|bitheam<sup>1</sup>
 
|-
 
|-
 
!2
 
!2
−
|cluinn<sup>1</sup>
+
|bi<sup>1</sup>
 
|-
 
|-
 
!3 masc
 
!3 masc
−
|cluinneadh e
+
|biodh e
 
|-
 
|-
 
!3 fem
 
!3 fem
−
|cluinneadh i
+
|biodh i
 
|-
 
|-
 
!rowspan="3"|plural
 
!rowspan="3"|plural
 
!1
 
!1
−
|cluinneamaid<sup>1</sup>
+
|biomaid<sup>1</sup>
 
|-
 
|-
 
!2
 
!2
−
|cluinnibh<sup>1</sup>
+
|bithibh<sup>1</sup>
 
|-
 
|-
 
!3
 
!3
−
|cluinneadh iad
+
|biodh iad
 
|}
 
|}
 
Notes
 
Notes
 
# The 1st and 2nd person forms are used without subject pronouns.
 
# The 1st and 2nd person forms are used without subject pronouns.
−
 
  
 
==[[References]]==
 
==[[References]]==

Latest revision as of 18:17, 20 November 2012

The irregular verb bi is one of two verbs "to be" in Gaelic. It is often called the substantive be (as opposed to the copula Is). It is used

Bi is also used as the primary auxiliary

Bi is one of 11 irregular verbs in Gaelic.

Uses

Bi is never used to connect two noun phrases (John is a doctor, John is the doctor), nor is it used as the clefting particle (It is Susan who left), for those constructions use the Copula Bi is however used in the following contexts:

  • as the auxiliary in progressives
  • as the auxiliary in perfects
  • as the auxiliary in stative construction
  • as the be verb used with adjectives, prepositional phrases, and adverbs
  • as the auxiliary in 'nam 'nad 'na constructions marking professions and temporary states: Bha mi 'nam ghille 'nuair a ....

Summary of forms

  • Independent forms of the verb bi are used without any particles.
  • Unlike regular verbs, the dependent past tense particle do is never used with tha.


context independent After Cha(n) gun/nach after a'/an/am question particle
basic forms active past bha robh
Present tha eil bheil
Future bidh/bithidh bhi bi
Relative Future bi (used in negatives), bhios/bhitheas1 (used in positives)
impersonal1 past bhatar or bhathar or bhathas robhar
present thatar or thathar or thathas eilear or eileas bheilear or bheileas
future bithear bhithear bithear
relative future --- bhithear (after particles that trigger the relative future)
Conditional Mood active bhitheadh/bhiodh
(bhitinn2 in 1st sing)
(bhitheamaid2,4 in 1st pl) 		bitheadh/biodh
(bithinn2 in 1st sing)
(bitheamaid2,4 in 1st pl)
impersonal bhite or bhithist(e) bite or bithist(e)
Imperative Mood 1st person singular bitheam2 ---
plural bitheamaid2
2nd person singular bi2
plural bithibh2
3rd person biodh/bitheadh
verbal noun a bhith 3

Notes:

  • 1 with the relative future and impersonal forms of this verb, the pronoun tu is used instead of thu
  • 2 these forms are not used with any subject, they contain the subject in the inflection of the verb (Pro-Drop)
  • 3 infinitive use only
  • 4 rare


Non Conditional Moods (indicative, interrogative, negative)

Active Voice

Past tense

Declarative Question Negative Negative Question
1 Bha mi an robh mi Cha robh mi nach robh mi
2 Bha thu an robh thu Cha robh thu nach robh thu
3 masc Bha e an robhl e Cha robh e nach robh e
3 fem Bha i an robh i Chan robh i nach robh i
1 pl Bha sinn an robh sinn Cha robh sinn nach robh sinn
2 pl Bha sibh an robh sibh Cha robh sibh nach robh sibh
3 pl Bha iad an robh iad Cha robh iad nach robh iad


Present tense

Declarative Question Negative Negative Question
1 Tha mi a' bheil mi Chan eil mi nach eil mi
2 Tha thu a' bheil thu Chan eil thu nach eil thu
3 masc Tha e a' bheil e Chan eil e nach eil e
3 fem Tha i a' bheil i Chan eil i nach eil i
1 pl Tha sinn a' bheil sinn Chan eil sinn nach eil sinn
2 pl Tha sibh a' bheil sibh Chan eil sibh nach eil sibh
3 pl Tha iad a' bheil iad Chan eil iad nach eil iad


Future tense

The future tense in Gaelic is used to express the idea that an event will happen sometime after the speech time. Unlike English, the future tense can also be used with a present tense meaning, to express the idea that an action is habitual.

Declarative Question Negative Negative Question Relative Future1
1 bithidh mi am bi mi cha bhi mi nach bi mi a bhitheas mi
2 bithidh thu am bi thu cha bhi thu nach bi thu a bhitheas tu2
3 masc bithidh e am bi e cha bhi e nach bi e a bhitheas e
3 fem bithidh i am bi i cha bhi i nach bi i a bhitheas i
1 pl bithidh sinn am bi sinn cha bhi sinn nach bi sinn a bhitheas sinn
2 pl bithidh sibh am bi sibh cha bhi sibh nach bi sibh a bhitheas sibh
3 pl bithidh iad am bi iad cha bhi iad nach bi iad a bhitheas iad

Note:

  1. the relative future is used after certain particles such as ma or the particle used with questions a.
  2. Note that in the relative future the pronoun tu is used in lieu of thu.


Impersonal/Passive Voice

Gaelic verbs don't technically have a Passive verb form. Instead the passive is typically represented through a periphrastic construction using the verbs Rach or Tha + the passive marker air. It does, however, have an impersonal form. The Impersonal is used to indicate an indeterminate subject. bhatar mi' means "I was been"

Since Gaelic doesn't distinguish between subject and object pronouns (unlike it's sibling Modern Irish), it is very difficult to determine if these pronouns are subjects or objects. We list them here as if they were subjects, with the understanding that the pronouns in the following tables represent the logical objects of the verb

Past tense

Declarative Question Negative Negative Question
bhatar an robhar cha robhar nach robhar


Present tense

The use of a passive in the present tense is odd, even in English. But here are the relevant forms if you should ever need them.

Declarative Question Negative Negative Question
thatar a' bheilear chan eilear nach eilear


Future tense

Declarative Question Negative Negative Question Relative Future
bithear am bithear cha bhithear nach bithear a bhithear

Notes

  1. the relative future is used after certain particles such as a the particle used with questions, or ma "if".


Conditional Mood

Active

Declarative Question Negative Negative Question
1 bhithinn1 am bithinn cha bhithinn nach bithinn
2 bhiodh tu2 am biodh tu cha bhiodh tu nach biodh tu
3 masc bhiodh e am biodh e cha bhiodh e nach biodh e
3 fem bhiodh i am biodh i cha bhiodh i nach biodh i
1 pl bhiodh sinn (bhiomaid3) am biodh sinn (am biomaid3) cha bhiodh sinn (cha bhiomaid3) nach biodh sinn (nach biomaid3)
2 pl bhiodh sibh am biodh sibh cha bhiodh sibh nach biodh sibh
3 pl bhiodh iad am biodh iad cha bhiodh iad nach biodh iad

Notes:

  1. The 1st person singular form is never used with an overt pronoun, the verb contains the pronoun already.
  2. The pronoun tu is used here instead of thu
  3. The 1st person plural has a special inflected form, which like the first person singular is never used with a pronoun. This 1st person plural form is rarely used anymore.


passive

Declarative Question Negative Negative Question
1 bhite mi am bite mi cha bhite mi nach bite mi
2 bhite thu am bite thu cha bhite thu nach bite thu
3 masc bhite e am bite e cha bhite e nach bite e
3 fem bhite i am bite i cha bhite i nach bite i
1 pl bhite sinn am bite sinn cha bhite sinn nach bite sinn
2 pl bhite sibh am bite sibh cha bhite sibh nach bite sibh
3 pl bhite iad am bite iad cha bhite iad nach bite iad


Imperative Mood

The Imperative mood is used when giving a command. 2nd person imperatives are the most common. In English these are translated with by just the verb "Hear!". 1st and 3rd person imperatives translated loosely as "Let me be", "let us be", "let he/she/them be". The 1st person plural and third person imperatives are the same as the conditional forms except without lenition

person form
singular 1 bitheam1
2 bi1
3 masc biodh e
3 fem biodh i
plural 1 biomaid1
2 bithibh1
3 biodh iad

Notes

  1. The 1st and 2nd person forms are used without subject pronouns.

References

  • Black, Ronald (2006) Cothrom Ionnsachaidh Peebles: Self-published.
  • Byrne, Michel (2002) Gràmar na Gàidhlig. Eilean Leòdhais: Stòrlann-Acair.
  • Deiseal Earranta tta (2006) Reference Cards: Sealbhairean Roimhearach/Riochdairean Roimhearach.
  • Mark, Colin (2004) The Gaelic-English Dictionary/Am faclair Gàidhlig-Beurla. London: Routledge
  • Mark, Colin (2006), Gaelic Verbs: Systemised and Simplified" 2nd Edition. Edinburgh: Steve Savage Publishers. http://www.savagepublishers.com/138.html
  • Lamb, William (2003) Scottish Gaelic. 2nd edition. Munich: Lingcom Europa
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