Formation of Verbal Nouns

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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


Suffix -eadh

Broaden and suffix -adh

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 by doing one of the following:

  • -aich --> ach+adh
  • -ich --> each+adh e.g.
  • -ail --> al+adh, e.g., buail --> bualadh


broaden, syncope final syllable, suffix -adh

where C stands for any consonant.

  • Cail --> Cl+adh


Suffix -amh

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
dean deanamh do
seas seasamh sit


Suffix -t(a)inn

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
cluinn cluinntinn listen
seall sealltainn look

Suffix -e

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
ith ithe eat
suidh suidhe sit


Verbal noun is the same as the imperative

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

Broaden final consonant

Irregular non-suppletive changes

Suppletive verbal nouns

Imperative verbal Noun verb meaning
abair ràdh say
rach dol go
thàladh falbh leave