Difference between revisions of "Imperatives"
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When a noun is used, we say that this is an "identifying imperative". A single imperative can incorporate both the "identifying" and "particularizing" features: | When a noun is used, we say that this is an "identifying imperative". A single imperative can incorporate both the "identifying" and "particularizing" features: | ||
Revision as of 09:41, 17 October 2012
- For a definition of Imperatives see Imperative Mood (definition).
The imperative paradigm for the verb 'to put' is as follows:
| cuirim | let me put | cuireamaid | let us put |
| cuir (thusa) | you put | cuiribh | let you (pl) put |
| cuireadh (esan/ise)' | let him put | cuireadh (iadsan) | let them put |
Even though there are imperative forms for all different person and number features on the verb, the youth tend to only use the second person singular and plural.
Contents
[hide]Optional and Obligatory Subjects
For the second person forms, the subject is optional:
| Seas! |
| stand.imp.2s |
| "Stand up!" |
or
| Seas | thusa! |
| stand.imp.2s | 2s.emph |
| "You stand up!" |
When the optional subject is used in these sentences, the subject becomes emphatic and the sentence is called a "particularizing imperative". However, when the third person form is used, then the subject becomes obligatory, either in pronominal form or as a noun.
| Seasadh | e! |
| stand.imp.3s | 3sm |
| "Let him stand up!" |
or
| Seasadh | Iain! |
| stand.imp.3s | Iain |
| "Let John stand up!" |
When a noun is used, we say that this is an "identifying imperative". A single imperative can incorporate both the "identifying" and "particularizing" features:
| Seas | thusa, | Iain! |
| stand.imp.2s | 2s.emph | Iain |
| "You stand up, John!" |
Negative Imperatives
Negative imperatives are created by placing the negative particle na in front of the verb:
| Na | ith | |||||
| NEG | eat.imp | |||||
| 'Don't eat!' | ||||||
External Links
Warning: At least one of the links below takes you to Wikipedia. Articles on wikipedia often contain inaccuracies or are subject to vandalism. especially about language issues.
References
- Fisher, Muriel (2004) Scottish Gaelic Level 1. Seattle: Each-Mara Publications
