An Caighdeán Oifigiúil: Chapter 7: The Copula (pp. 113-130)

7.1 General

The copula is used to connect two words or phrases together.

The version of the copula used in the present tense is the same as that used in the future tense. In addition to this, the version of the copula used in the past tense is the same as that used in the imperfect tense and the conditional mood. Note that, if the information of the sentence is in the past tense, the imperfect tense or the conditional mood, the tense of the copula need not agree with the tense of the information in the sentence. See 7.2 for simple forms of the copula.

7.1.1 Functions of the Copula

The primary functions of the copula are:

(a) to classify the subject:

Is sáraisteoir í.

Is éan é an faoileán.

Strainséirí is ea iad.

Is fear é.

(b) to identify the subject:

Ba í Úna an bainisteoir.

Is é Baile Átha Cliath príomhchathair na hÉireann.

Nach deas é?

Is fíor sin.

Is leor cúig euro.

Is as an Muileann gCearr di.

(d) to qualify a noun or clause with an adjective or noun, or moreover a prepositional pronoun:

Is maith léi an chispheil.

Ní mór dó imeacht.

An féidir leis é a dhéanamh?

Is leor liom an méid sin.

An cuimhin leat an teach sin?

Is dona linn an briseadh seo.

(e) to qualify a noun with the comparative of an adjective:

Tabhair leat an ceann is fearr leat.

Bhí na milseáin ba dheise ite sular shroich mé an chóisir.

(f) to convey ownership or relationship between people through use with the preposition le:

Ba liomsa é.

Ní le Sorcha an ceann sin.

Tóg ceann ar bith is leat.

Is iníon le Seán ise.

Is comhghleacaí le Cáit eisean.

(g) to qualify a clause with an adjective:

Is gearr go mbeidh a fhios againn.

Is fada ó bhí sé ann.

Is maith is eol duit é.

Is iomaí duine a thagann an treo seo.

B‘fhada ag teacht é.

(h) to put stress on part of a sentence:

Ní inniu ná inné a saolaíodh eisean.

Is ag ceannach bainne a bhí mé.

Is chun na Spáinne a chuaigh sí.

Ní hí Muireann a chaill an eochair.

Ba í Nóra a d’aistrigh é sin.

Is aici a bhí an ceart.

Níorbh é sin an cineál comórtais a bhí ann in 1998.

Is inné a tháinig siad.

Is é Peadar a dhéanfadh an beart dá mbeadh sé anseo.

(i) to use in sentences conveying comparison:

Is troime bonn dhá phingin ná bonn pingine.

Is gile an ghrian ná an ghealach agus ná na pláinéid.

Ní lia tír ná nós.

Nach treise dúchas ná oiliúint?

Nárbh fhearr gluaisteán ná rothar?

7.2 Simple Forms of the Copula and Initial Mutations

(a) A simple form of the copula is the form of the copula when it is not combined with an interrogative pronoun, preposition or conjunction.

(b) The simple forms of the copula are laid out here as follows:

(i) in a main clause;

(ii) at the start of a subordinate clause, but not a relative clause;

(iii) in a direct relative clause;

(iv) in an indirect relative clause.

The forms are sorted according to tense. In each case, the present tense and the future tense are given first, and then the past tense, the imperfect tense and the conditional mood.

7.2.1 Simple Forms in a Main Clause

A: The Present Tense and the Future Tense

In the table below, the affirmative form, the negative form, the affirmative interrogative form and the negative interrogative form are laid out in the present or future tense.

*PRESENT AND FUTURE TENSE*
before all consonants and all vowels
Affirmative	is	Is talamh maith anois é. Ealaíontóir maith is ea ise.
Negative	ní	Ní bia bainne is ní bainne bláthach. Ní hé a d’inis an bhréag sin.
Affirmative Interrogative	an	An í Bríd an múinteoir? An fada go dtiocfaidh sé?
Negative Interrogative	nach	Nach (é) Seán atá ina mhúinteoir? Nach (í) Siobhán a bheidh ann amárach?

Table 7A: Simple Forms in a Main Clause – Present and Future Tense

B: The Past Tense, the Imperfect Tense and the Conditional Mood

In the past tense, imperfect tense and conditional mood, lenition follows the forms of the copula. In the past tense, imperfect tense and conditional mood, ba or b’ are used as follows:

(a) ba is placed before a consonant or fh + consonant in every instance, e.g. Ba mhúinteoir lách é; Ba fhreagra cruinn é.

(b) ba is placed before a vowel or fh + vowel in the following instances:

(i) the pronouns é, í, ea, éard, eisean, ise, iad and iadsan, e.g. Ba iad a bhuaigh an corn;

(ii) prepositions, e.g. Ba ar theacht i bhfeidhm an Achta a tharla sé;

(iii) prepositional pronouns, e.g. Ba ann a bhí sé;

(iv) adverbs that are not adjectival, e.g. Ba arú inné a d’ith siad an cáca.

(i) nouns, e.g. B’innealtóir maith í;

(ii) adjectives, e.g. B’fhearúil an duine é;

(iii) the demonstrative pronouns eo, in and iúd, e.g. B’in é é; B’eo amach é.

(iv) adjectival adverbs, e.g. B’annamh a dhéanadh sé é.

(d) It is permissible to use the forms ba or ab before the neuter pronoun ea in the middle of a sentence that is in the past tense, imperfect tense or conditional mood, e.g. Saighdiúirí ab ea iad or Saighdiúirí ba ea iad.

In the table below is laid out the affirmative form of the copula in a main clause that is in the past tense, imperfect tense or conditional mood.

*PAST TENSE, IMPERFECT TENSE AND CONDITIONAL MOOD – AFFIRMATIVE*
**before a consonant or fh + consonant**	before a vowel or fh + vowel
ba	b’	ba (ab)
Ba mhian liomsa labhairt. Ba fhlaithiúil go deo a chaith siad liom. Ba bheag an chabhair dom é dá bhfaighinn in am é fiú.	B’álainn an pictiúr é mura mbeadh an polla sin sa chúlra. B’aoibhinn linn a bheith ag éisteacht leis gach oíche.	Ba é an Rúnaí a cheartódh é sa chás sin. Ceannaire maith ba/ab ea í siúd. Ba aici a bhí an ceart. Ba as Gaillimh é. Ba ó Bhaile Átha Cliath í.

Table 7B: Simple Forms in a Main Clause – Past Tense, Imperfect Tense and Conditional Mood – Affirmative Form

In the table below are laid out the negative, affirmative interrogative and negative interrogative forms of the copula in a main clause that is in the past tense, imperfect tense or conditional mood.

*PAST TENSE, IMPERFECT TENSE AND CONDITIONAL MOOD*
	before a consonant or fh + consonant		before a vowel or fh + vowel
Negative	níor	Níor maith léi go dtarlódh sé sin.	níorbh	Níorbh aon dóithín é.
Affirmative Interrogative	ar	Ar dheacair leat é?	arbh	Arbh fhearr é mar atá sé?
Negative Interrogative	nár	Nár dhána an mhaise dó é!	nárbh	Nárbh é an diabhal é?

Table 7C: Simple Forms in a Main Clause – Past Tense, Imperfect Tense and Conditional Mood – Negative and Interrogative Forms

7.2.2 Simple Forms at the start of a Subordinate Clause, apart from a Relative Clause

A: The Present Tense and the Future Tense

Gur or gurb is used in the present or future tense as follows:

(a) In all instances, gur is used before a consonant, e.g. Is dóigh leo gur teagascóir gairmiúil é Cian.

(b) Gur is used before a vowel in the following cases:

(i) nouns (except nouns in the prepositional copular phrases explained under gurb below), e.g. Is dóigh liom gur áit dheas an t-óstán sin; Síleann an tAire gur acmhainn theoranta an ciste sin; Dúirt sí gur oifigeach maith é.

(ii) prepositions, e.g. Deir sí gur ag an rince a bheidh sí;

(iii) prepositional pronouns, e.g. Dúradh liom gur uait a tháinig an leabhar sin;

(iv) adverbs (except amhlaidh) that are not adjectival, e.g. Síltear gur amach anseo atá i gceist; Tuigtear dom gur amuigh sa ghairdín atá an ceiliúradh ar bun;

(v) the pronouns é, í, eisean, ise, iad and iadsan if it is the agent or object of a verbal noun, e.g. Síleann sí gur é a bhailiú is fearr; Dar leis gur iad a fhoilsiú is fearr.

(i) adjectives, e.g. Sílim gurb iontach an deis duit é; Ceapaim gurb eolach an bhean í;

(ii) amhlaidh, or adjectival adverbs (go hard, gurb ard; go hannamh, gurb annamh), e.g. Measaim gurb amhlaidh atá; Sílim gurb annamh a tharlaíonn a leithéid;

(iii) the pronouns é, í, ea, eisean, ise, iad and iadsan when they are not objects or agents of a verbal noun, e.g. Deir sí gurb í a hiníon í; Dar le hAoife gurb eisean a rinne é; Dúirt sise gurb é Sorcha an t-ainm a bhí uirthi féin; D’admhaigh sí gurb í féin a rinne é;

(iv) the demonstrative pronouns eo, in and iúd, e.g. Deir sí gurb in é an fear;

(v) the following prepositional copular phrases: acmhainn do, áil le, aitheanta do, aithnid do, eagal do/le, éadáil le, ealaín do, éigean do, eol do, oircheas do, e.g. Dar leo gurb acmhainn dóibh teach a cheannach;

(vi) these particular words: áibhéil, éard, ionadh, iontas and ualach, e.g. Dúirt sé liom gurb ionadh leis an ní a tharla.

In the table below are laid out the affirmative and negative forms of the copula at the start of a subordinate clause (apart from a relative clause) that is in the present or future tense.

*PRESENT AND FUTURE TENSE*
	*before a consonant*	*before a vowel*
	gur	gur	gurb
Affirmative	Ceapann siad gur múinteoir maith é Seán. Is dóigh liom gur tráthnóna amárach a bheidh an cruinniú ann.	Ceapann siad gur altra é. Sílim gur acu a bheidh an bua.	Is dóigh leis gurb álainn an lá é. Ní dóigh liom gurb ionann iad. Ní foláir gurb acmhainn dóibh. Más rud é gurb éigean dóibh.
	nach
Negative	Deir sé nach amárach a bheidh an cluiche ar siúl. Tuigimid nach é deireadh an domhain é má chaillimid. Síleann siad nach taighdeoir maith é. Dar liom nach cuan sábháilte é.

Table 7D: Simple Forms at the Beginning of a Subordinate Clause, apart from a Relative Clause – Present and Future Tense

B: The Past Tense, the Imperfect Tense and the Conditional Mood

Lenition follows forms of the copula in the past tense, the imperfect tense and the conditional mood. There is a choice of affirmative forms – see (a) and (b) below.

(a) gur or gurbh

The affirmative forms gur or gurbh are used in the past tense, the imperfect tense and the conditional mood as follows:

(i) gur is placed before a consonant or fh + consonant in all instances, e.g. D’ainneoin an méid a d’impigh sí air, níor dhóigh leis gur chóir an madra a choinneáil.

(ii) gurbh is placed before a vowel or fh + vowel in all instances, e.g. Creidtear gurbh ealaíontóir cumasach ab ea é; Dúirt sé gurbh iomaí cleas glic a d’imir Seán air.

In the table below are laid out the definite form of the copula at the start of a subordinate clause (apart from a relative clause) that is in the past tense, the imperfect tense or the conditional mood.

*PAST TENSE, IMPERFECT TENSE AND CONDITIONAL MOOD*
	before a consonant or fh + consonant	before a vowel or fh + vowel
	gur	gurbh
Affirmative	Dúirt Eoin gur cheart é a dhíol. Cheapamar gur fhlaithiúil an duine ab ea é.	Dhearbhaigh sé gurbh fhéimheach é. Dúirt sí gurbh é leas an phobail é.

Table 7E: Simple Forms at the Beginning of a Subordinate Clause, apart from a Relative Clause – The Past Tense, Imperfect Tense and Conditional Mood

(b) go mba or go mb’

One can also choose to use the affirmative forms go mba or go mb’ in the past tense, imperfect tense and conditional mood as follows:

(i) go mba is placed before a consonant or fh + consonant in every instance, e.g. Cé gur impigh sí air, níor dhóigh leis go mba chóir an madra a choinneáil.

(ii) go mba is placed before a vowel or fh + vowel in the following instances:

the pronouns é, í, ea, eisean, ise, iad and iadsan, e.g. Ba dhóigh liomsa go mba iad an fhoireann ab fhearr ar an lá;
prepositions, e.g. Mheas mé go mba ar an mbád a tháinig siad;
prepositional pronouns, e.g. Shíl mé go mba ann dó;
adverbs that are not adjectival, e.g. Dúirt sé go mba arú inné a réitigh sí an dinnéar.

(iii) go mb’ is placed before a vowel or fh + vowel in the following instances:

nouns, e.g. Bronnadh teastas uirthi á rá go mb’altra cáilithe in Éirinn í;
adjectives, e.g. Dúirt na gasúir go mb’aoibhinn leo an cáca milis;
the demonstrative pronouns eo, in and úd, e.g. Dúirt sé go mb’in a raibh aige;
adjectival adverbs, e.g. Dúirt sé go mb’annamh a théadh sé ann.

In the table below is laid out the affirmative form of the copula at the beginning of a subordinate clause (apart from a relative clause) that is in the past tense, imperfect tense or conditional mood.

*PAST TENSE, IMPERFECT TENSE AND CONDITIONAL MOOD*
	before a consonant or fh + consonant	before a vowel or fh + vowel
	go mba	go mba or go mb’
Affirmative	Dúirt Eoin go mba cheart é a dhíol. Sílim go mba fhliúit dhaor a cheannaigh sé.	Dhearbhaigh sé go mb’fhéimheach é. Dúirt sí go mba é leas an phobail é.

Table 7F: Simple Forms at the Beginning of a Subordinate Clause, apart from a Relative Clause – The Past Tense, Imperfect Tense and Conditional Mood – go mba and go mb’

The negative forms nár and nárbh are used in the past tense, imperfect tense and conditional mood as follows:

(i) nár is placed before a consonant or fh + consonant in all instances, e.g. Bhí mise den tuairim nár mhiste leis cabhrú leat.

(ii) nárbh is placed before a vowel or fh + vowel in all instances, e.g. Ba léir nárbh ionann an dá stoca ar chor ar bith.

In the table below is laid out the negative form of the copula at the beginning of a subordinate clause (apart from a relative clause) that is in the past tense, imperfect tense or conditional mood.

*PAST TENSE, IMPERFECT TENSE AND CONDITIONAL MOOD*
	before a consonant or fh + consonant	before a vowel or fh + vowel
	nár	nárbh
Negative	Ba léir nár dhochtúir cáilithe é. Dúirt sí nár fhlichshneachta ceart é.	Dúirt sé nárbh fhéidir é a dhéanamh. Nárbh iontach an clár faisnéise é sin?

Table 7G: Simple Forms at the Beginning of a Subordinate Clause, apart from a Relative Clause – The Past Tense, Imperfect Tense and Conditional Mood – nár and nárbh

7.2.3 Simple Forms in a Direct Relative Clause

A: The Present Tense and the Future Tense

In the table below is laid out the affirmative and negative form of the copula in a direct relative clause that is in the present or future tense.

*PRESENT AND FUTURE TENSE*
*before all consonants and all vowels*
Affirmative	is	Labhair leis an bhfear sin is uncail leat. An bhean is cara leat a d’eagraigh é.
Negative	nach	Ní cheadófar d’aon duine nach ball é nó í fanacht sa seomra. Céard faoi na daoine nach comhaltaí iad?

Table 7H: Simple Forms in a Direct Relative Clause – Present and Future Tense

B: The Past Tense, the Imperfect Tense and the Conditional Mood

In the table below is laid out the affirmative and negative form of the copula in a direct relative clause that is in the past tense, the present tense or the conditional mood.

*PAST TENSE, IMPERFECT TENSE AND CONDITIONAL MOOD*
	**before a consonant or fh + consonant**		**before a vowel or fh + vowel**
Affirmative	ba	Cad é ba maith leat? Sin an carr ba cheart duit a cheannach.	ab	Sin rud ab éasca a rá. Má bhí leabhar ann riamh ab fhiú a léamh, seo é.
Negative	nár	Níor dhóigh siad aon bhreosla nár ghual (é). Níor cheannaíodh bó nár bhó mhaith (í).	nárbh	Is é sin an Teachta nárbh Aire riamh (é). Níor cheannaigh siad úlla nárbh úlla dearga (iad).

Table 7I: Simple Forms in a Direct Relative Clause – Past Tense, Imperfect Tense and Conditional Mood

7.2.4 Simple Forms in an Indirect Relative Clause

A: The Present Tense and the Future Tense

In the table below is laid out the affirmative and negative form of the copula in an indirect relative clause that is in the present or future tense.

*PRESENT AND FUTURE TENSE*
	*before a consonant*		*before a vowel*
Affirmative	ar	Ná bac leis sin; sin eolas ar cuma faoi. Is é sin an té ar dó an leabhar.	arb	Is í sin an bhean arb iriseoir a deartháir. An bhfuil an té arb eol dó an freagra sa seomra?
Negative	nach	Cár imigh an duine nach féidir labhairt leis? Is iad sin na daoine nach mian leo leanúint ar aghaidh.	nach	Is í sin an bhean nach iriseoir a deartháir. Sin é an t-aisteoir nach eol dó a chuid línte.

Table 7J: Simple Forms in a Direct Relative Clause – Present and Future Tense

B: The Past Tense, the Imperfect Tense and the Conditional Mood

In the table below is laid out the affirmative and negative forms of the copula in an indirect relative clause that is in the past tense, imperfect tense or conditional mood.

*PAST TENSE, IMPERFECT TENSE AND CONDITIONAL MOOD*
	before a consonant or fh + consonant		**before a vowel or fh + vowel**
Affirmative	ar	Sin í an bhean ar mhór aici do chabhair.	arbh	Léigh sí gach leabhar arbh fhiú trácht air.
Negative	nár	Cá bhfuil na daoine nár mhaith leo labhairt?	nárbh	Ba dhána iad na páistí nárbh áil leo dul ar scoil

Table 7K: Simple Forms in an Indirect Relative Clause – the Past Tense, Imperfect Tense and Conditional Mood

7.2.5 Initial Mutations after the Copula

A: The Present Tense and the Future Tense

(a) No initial mutations come after the following forms of the copula:

(i) the affirmative form is, e.g. Is bréag é;

(ii) the affirmative interrogative an, e.g. An cuimhin leat an cluiche sin?;

(iii) the negative interrogative nach, e.g. Nach buachaill atá ann?

(b) After the negative form of the copula ní, an h is added before a vowel to:

(i) the pronouns é, í, ea, iad, eo, in and iúd, e.g. Ní hiad a ghoid do mhála; Ní hin é mo theachsa;

(ii) the adjectives amháin, aon, ionann, iondúil, e.g. Ní hionann an dá chás;

(iii) the adverbs amhlaidh, annamh, e.g. Ní hannamh dó a bheith luath;

(iv) the prepositional copular phrases acmhainn do, áil le, aitheanta do, aithnid do, eagal do/le, éadáil le, ealaín do, éigean do, eol do, oircheas do, e.g. Ní hacmhainn dó bille eile a íoc;

(v) the words áibhéil, éard, ionadh, iontas and ualach, e.g. Ní hionadh ar bith é go gcuireann siad fáilte roimh chách;

(vi) some words in a handful of proverbs, e.g. Ní heolas go haontíos; Ní haithne go haontíos.

(i) nouns in general, e.g. Ní eagrán nua den pháipéar atá á léamh agat;

(ii) adjectives in general, e.g. Ní uaigneach fear i gcomhluadar;

(iii) adverbs other than amhlaidh, annamh, e.g. Ní inné a tharla an timpiste; Ní ansin a thit mé.

In the table below are laid out the initial mutations made to vowels after the negative form of the copula ní.

INITIAL MUTATIONS TO VOWELS AFTER THE NEGATIVE FORM OF THE COPULA NÍ
h is added to a vowel after ní	*h is not added to a vowel after* ní**
to the pronouns é, í, ea, iad, eo, in, iúd	to nouns in general
to the adjectives amháin, aon, ionann, iondúil	to adjectives in general
to the adverbs amhlaidh, annamh
to the prepositional copular phrases acmhainn do, áil le, aitheanta do, aithnid do, éadáil le, eagal do/le, ealaín do, éigean do, eol do, oircheas do
to the words áibhéil, éard, ionadh, iontas, ualach
in some proverbs

Table 7L: Initial Mutations after the negative form of the copula ní

B: The Past Tense, the Imperfect Tense and the Conditional Mood

Lenition follows forms of the copula in the past tense, the imperfect tense and the conditional mood, e.g. Ba dheas liom an seans a bheith faighte againn; Níor bheag an méid a bhí le scrúdú.

7.3 Compound Forms of the Copula

7.3.1 Interrogative Pronouns combined with the Copula

A: The Present Tense and the Future Tense

In the table below are laid out examples of interrogative pronouns combined with the copula in the present tense or future tense (see 8.5.4).

*PRESENT AND FUTURE TENSE*
	*before a consonant*	*before a vowel*
cá	Cá miste duit?	Cárb as é?/Cárb as duit?
cé	Cé dó a dtabharfaidh sé é?	Cérb iad?

Table 7M: Interrogative Pronouns combined with the Copula – Present and Future Tense

B: The Past Tense, the Imperfect Tense and the Conditional Mood

In the table below are laid out examples of interrogative pronouns combined with the copula in the past tense, imperfect tense or conditional mood.

*PAST TENSE, IMPERFECT TENSE AND CONDITIONAL MOOD*
	**before a consonant or fh + consonant**	**before a vowel or fh + vowel**
cá	Cár thairbhe duit é?	Cárbh aois é?
cé	Cér díobh í?	Cérbh é an fear sin?

Table 7N: Interrogative Pronouns combined with the Copula – Past Tense, Imperfect Tense and Conditional Mood

Note that the compound cérbh is not used except for before é, í, eisean, ise, iad and iadsan. No compound is made with cé and the forms ab or ba of the copula when no personal pronoun follows cé: cérbh é; but cé ab fhearr?; cé ba chaptaen oraibh?

7.3.2 Prepositions combined with the Copula

A: The Present Tense and the Future Tense

In the table below are laid out examples of prepositions combined with the copula in the present tense or future tense.

*PRESENT AND FUTURE TENSE*
	*before a consonant*	*before a vowel*
de/do	Cuirfear deireadh leis an imscrúdú an tréimhse dar críoch an 1ú lá de mhí Iúil.	Tá aithne agam ar bhean darb ainm Máire Ní Chiarragáin.
faoi	Cé acu dlí an dlí faoinar féidir í a chúiseamh?	Is ábhar é sin faoinarb éasca labhairt.
i	Is í sin an oifig inar mian léi a bheith ag obair.	Is foirgneamh é sin inarb annamh ar cuairt é.
le	Is iomaí córas atá ar fáil lenar féidir rialú a dhéanamh.	Dúirt sí a rogha rud, ar neamhchead don té lenarb olc.
ó	Beidh siad i scríbhinn nó i bhfoirm ónar féidir taifead scríofa a tháirgeadh.	Bhí sé i dteannta an dreama ónarb áil leis teitheadh.
trí	Faightear réidh le gach meán eile trínar féidir aon ní den sórt sin a scriosadh.	Cén fhoirmle atá agat trínarb éasca an cheist a fhreagairt?

Table 7O: Prepositions combined with the Copula – Present and Future Tense

B: The Past Tense, the Imperfect Tense and the Conditional Mood

In the table below are laid out examples of prepositions combined with the copula in the past tense, the imperfect tense or the conditional mood.

*PAST TENSE, IMPERFECT TENSE AND CONDITIONAL MOOD*
	**before a consonant or fh + consonant**	**before a vowel or fh + vowel**
de/do	Cuireadh iniúchadh i gcrích don bhliain dar chríoch an 8 Márta 1998.	Is buachaill darb ainm Gearóid a bhí i láthair.
faoi	Liostaíodh na coinníollacha faoinar chomhaltaí iad na daoine sin.	Luadh an dáta faoinarbh fhéidir litir a chur faoi bhráid an Aire.
i	D’fhéadfaí an cás a éisteacht i gcás inar fhreagróir an duine sin.	Is cás é sin inarbh fhostaí d’úinéir na feithicle a cúisíodh.
le	Is í sin an eagraíocht lenar gníomhaire é.	Sin í an fhoireann lenarbh áil liom imirt.
ó	Chuaigh sé ar ais go dtí an tír ónar dhíbeartach é.	Tabhair faisnéis dom faoin iasacht agus faoin dáta ónarbh iníoctha í.
trí	Bhí fóram ann trínar ghnách leis an bhfoireann ceisteanna a ardú.	Dúnadh an tollán trínarbh fhéidir tiomáint.

Table 7P: Prepositions combined with the Copula – the Past Tense, Imperfect Tense and Conditional Mood

7.3.3 Conjunctions combined with the Copula

A: The Present Tense and the Future Tense

In the table below are laid out examples of conjunctions combined with the copula in the present tense or future tense.

*PRESENT AND FUTURE TENSE*
	*before a consonant*	*before a vowel*
sula	Sular féidir leis carr a cheannach, caithfidh sé airgeadais a shábháil.	Sularb eol di é a bheith ann, beidh an cat imithe.
ó	Ós rud é gur agat atá eochracha an chairr, is tú a rachaidh chuig an siopa.	Ós aici a bheidh an seomra, caithfidh sí féin é a réiteach.

Table 7Q: Conjunctions combined with the Copula – Present and Future Tense

B: The Past Tense, the Imperfect Tense and the Conditional Mood

In the table below are laid out examples of conjunctions combined with the copula in the past tense, the imperfect tense or the conditional mood.

*PAST TENSE, IMPERFECT TENSE AND CONDITIONAL MOOD*
	**before a consonant or fh + consonant**	**before a vowel or fh + vowel**
sula	Ba ghá dó síniú a bhainisteora a fháil sular cheadmhach dó saoire a ghlacadh.	Sularbh fhéidir liom imeacht, dúnadh an geata.
ó	Tháinig ann don choigilteas ó ba lú an caiteachas ná mar a bhíothas ag súil.	Ó ba ann dó, níorbh fhéidir é a shéanadh.

Table 7R: Conjunctions combined with the Copula – Past Tense, Imperfect Tense and Conditional Mood

7.3.4 Má combined with the Copula

The word má is used in the present tense, the future tense, the past tense and the imperfect tense.

A: The Present Tense and Future Tense

*PRESENT AND FUTURE TENSE*
	*before a consonant*		*before a vowel*
Affirmative	más	Más mian leat imeacht, is féidir leat. Más mall, is mithid.	más	Fan sa bhaile, más amhlaidh is fearr leat é. Más é Séamas atá ann, abair leis teacht anseo.
Negative	mura	Mura mian léi fanacht, ní gá di. Tabhair sampla eile dom, mura miste leat.	murab	Bean ard ab ea í, murab ionann agus Cáit. Murab áil leis éisteacht, ní gá dó.

Table 7S: Má combined with the Copula – Present and Future Tense

B: The Past Tense and the Imperfect Tense

In the table below are laid out examples of má combined with the copula in the past tense or the imperfect tense. The rules pertaining to the use of ba and b’ apply here too (see 7.2.1B).

*PAST AND IMPERFECT TENSE*
	**before a consonant or fh + consonant**	**before a vowel or fh + vowel**
	má ba	má b’	má ba
Affirmative	Má ba dhuine macánta é, b’ait an gnó a bhí ar siúl aige.	Má b’fhear aitheanta é, ní raibh a fhios agam é.	Má ba í a bhí ann, níor aithin sí mé.
	murar	murarbh
Negative	Murar chomhalta cláraithe é, ní raibh aon seans aige. Murar shíntiúsóir cláraithe í, ní bhfaigheadh sí an iris sa phost.	Murarbh éan é, b’ialtóg a bhí ann. Ní bhíodh sí ag imirt murarbh áil léi féin é.

Table 7T: Má combined with the Copula – Past and Imperfect Tense

7.3.5 Dá and the Copula

In the table below are laid out examples of dá with the copula. It is only in the conditional mood that dá is used. The rules pertaining to the use of ba and b’ apply here too.

*THE CONDITIONAL MOOD*
*before every consonant and every vowel*
Dá + ba –> Dá mba or Dá mb’	Dá mba mhaith leat é, d’fhéadfainn é a fháil duit. Dá mba é d’athair a déarfadh sin, chreidfinn é. Dá mb’fhear saibhir é, thabharfadh sé síntiús fial uaidh. Dá mba fhreastalaí í, bheadh sí ag obair ar an deireadh seachtaine.

Table 7U: Dá and the Copula – the Conditional Mood

7.4 The Subjunctive Mood

In the table below are laid out the forms of the copula in the subjunctive mood, present or future tense. It is not typical to use the copula in the past subjunctive.

*SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD*
	*before a consonant*		*before a vowel*
Affirmative	gura	Gura fada buan tú. Gura maith an mhaise dó é. Gura slán an scéal é.	gurab	Gurab ann romhainn a bheidh sé. Gurab amhlaidh duit. Gurab é barr do leasa é.
Negative	nára	Nára fíor é. Nára fearrde sibh é. Nára fada go bhfeicfimid a chéile arís.	nárab	Nárab am amú é. Nárab é a leas é. Nárab é duit.

Table 7V: The Conditional Mood – Present and Future Tense

7.1 General

7.1.1 Functions of the Copula

7.2 Simple Forms of the Copula and Initial Mutations

7.2.1 Simple Forms in a Main Clause

A: The Present Tense and the Future Tense

B: The Past Tense, the Imperfect Tense and the Conditional Mood

7.2.2 Simple Forms at the start of a Subordinate Clause, apart from a Relative Clause

A: The Present Tense and the Future Tense

B: The Past Tense, the Imperfect Tense and the Conditional Mood

7.2.3 Simple Forms in a Direct Relative Clause

A: The Present Tense and the Future Tense

B: The Past Tense, the Imperfect Tense and the Conditional Mood

7.2.4 Simple Forms in an Indirect Relative Clause

A: The Present Tense and the Future Tense

B: The Past Tense, the Imperfect Tense and the Conditional Mood

7.2.5 Initial Mutations after the Copula

A: The Present Tense and the Future Tense

B: The Past Tense, the Imperfect Tense and the Conditional Mood

7.3 Compound Forms of the Copula

7.3.1 Interrogative Pronouns combined with the Copula

A: The Present Tense and the Future Tense

B: The Past Tense, the Imperfect Tense and the Conditional Mood

7.3.2 Prepositions combined with the Copula

A: The Present Tense and the Future Tense

B: The Past Tense, the Imperfect Tense and the Conditional Mood

7.3.3 Conjunctions combined with the Copula

A: The Present Tense and the Future Tense

B: The Past Tense, the Imperfect Tense and the Conditional Mood

7.3.4 Má combined with the Copula

A: The Present Tense and Future Tense

B: The Past Tense and the Imperfect Tense

7.3.5 Dá and the Copula

7.4 The Subjunctive Mood

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