Caibidil a Séthe Conjunctions (na Cónaisc) |
Coordinating Conjunctions
Inclusive and not only but also neither nor Exclusive or either or or else Restrictive but only except Subordinating Conjunctions Complementary that Causal because, for, because of, due to Circumstantial seeing, that Concessive despite, even though, even if Final with that, so that |
Temporal until since, since then as soon as before during, while as long as after when, as, every time, when Conditional if, when if-then if it were not so, that provided ,that if if so or if not Modal as if like, as Local where Comparative as...as, than, the..the Relative see Relative particle |
Conjunctions are words, that connect partial clauses or just single words with one another in a relationship.
Im Irish (as in German) it is common that certain expressions are often used
as "complex conjunctions".
Those expressions here portray just a selection of the rich array of such constructions.
Divided by their compositions, there are many types of conjunctions:
The division chosen here in coordinating and subordinating conjunctions has little meaning for the Irish, for except select conjunctions, the main and subordinating clauses do not differ in syntax. Especially, the word order does not change in the subordinating clause, as is common in German. Confusingly, one must add, that coordinating conjunctions in altered meaning alone or in compounds may introduce subordinating clauses.
These contain a list, in which all connected parts are included.
and | agus, is |
and has two forms: agus (rather long for a so often used
word) and is (short form, easily confused with the copula is!)
In old gaelic script there appears often as shorthand the tyronic notation 7
in its place (similar to a seven, that is here as a substitute).
examples:
Tá mé sásta inniu agus bhí mé sásta
inné. = I am today and was yesterday satisfied.
In lists, one uses agus between each of the terms ("polysyndetic coordination")
In German and English and is mostly only between the last two terms ("(mono)syndetic
coordination"):
e.g.: Pól agus Seán agus Séamas agus
Dóirín a bhí ann.= Paul, John James and Doreen waren
da.
Between adjectives, however, there is normally no agus ("asyndetic")
e.g.: an cailín óg álainn = the young and pretty girl
e.g.: Tá an aimsir te tirim = the weather is hot and dry.
(between the same comparitives use sa:
e.g.: measa sa mheasa = worse and worse)
other uses of agus
in affirmative answers:
Agus is in affirmative answers preceding supplementary information: e.g.:
An bhfuil cead agam tobac a chaitheamh? - Tá agus fáilte
= May I smoke? - Yes, please do.
Ólfaidh mé fuisce. - Ólfaidh agus mise. = I will
drink whiskey. - Yes, me too.
As part of other conjunctions
Agus, is is part of many other conjunctions, mostly together with the
direct relative particle a or with go = that
(e.g.: chomh luath is a = as long as; is go = until)
Ennumeration in the conditional clause
Agus is used for ennumeration in
conditional clauses (these then as an infintive construction), see there
in comparative clauses
In comparitive clauses, that contain an equivalence, agus means "so,
as".
Agus appears then together with the direct relative clause (agus a)
This is especially the case chomh + adjective
and following other expressions of equivalence like ionann,
mar a chéile = "same", amhlaidh
= "so" or oiread = "as much as":
e.g.:
Ní hionann sin agus a bhí sé = That is not
the way it was.
chomh maith agus a rinne sé é = As good as he did
it.
Fuair mé an oiread agus ba mhaith liom = I received as much as
I wanted.
With is amhlaidh, agus means
"and matter of fact"
Is amhlaidh a tháinig sé abhaile agus a shrón
briste = So he came home, and matter of fact with a broken nose.
Also in a comparison of similar clauses, in which a consequence of the one
is described in the other (e.g.: "so good, that ...") one uses agus,
and then with a go/nach-subordinating clause (agus go/nach). (not to
be confused with agus go/nach in non-comparitive clauses, in which it
takes on the meaning of a description of condition.)
agus appears as well in clauses of an irreal comparison (e.g.: "as good
as if..."), then with an irreal conditional clause (agus dá)
e.g.:
Tá sé chomh maith agus go bhfuil sé ann.
= It is so good that he is here.
Tá sé chomh maith agus dá mbeadh sé
ann. = It is as good as if he were here.
with infinitive constructions
Agus can, as in German, connect main clauses and has then a normal coordinative
function ("and")
The 2nd partial clause may appear as a verbal noun- or. infinitive
construction.
Then, agus has a rather subordinating meaning.
For negation, one uses (common in verbal noun constructions) gan.
and + | clause form | example |
main clause | Verb + subject + object + agus + Verb + subject + object | Bhí sé ann agus bhí fearg air
(He was there and he was angry) |
VN- construction | Verb + subject + object + agus + subject + object + VN | Bhí sé ann agus fearg (a bheith) air
(He was there in anger) |
main clause | Verb + subject + object + agus + ní + Verb + subject + object | Chonaic tú an fear agus ní raibh tú ag gáire
(You saw the man and you didn't laugh) |
VN- construction | Verb + subject + object + agus + gan + subject + object + VN | Chonaic tú an fear agus gan tú (a bheith) ag gáire.
(You saw the man while you weren't laughing) |
In such infinitive constructions, a bheith = to be is normally omitted
(in the examples, it is for clarification purposes in parentheses).
e.g.:
Chonaic tú an fear agus gan tú (a bheith) sásta. = You
saw the man and were not satisfied
Agus é (a bheith) ag gáire, thit sé go talamh. = As
he was laughing, he fell down.
Other verbal nouns can just as well be used, but are then of course not omitted.
Due ot the fact that an infinitive construction is used, this construction
does not have the function of a main clause but rather of a subordinating clause.
Agus has here different, more subordinating functions through the description
of a certain condition, which stands in relation to the main clause.
Should the events of both clauses occur at the same time (recognisable through
the usage of the progressive), one translates agus here to "while,
as" :
e.g.: Agus é (a bheith) ag gáire, thit sé go talamh
= As he was laughing, he fell down. (lit.: "and he [to be] at laughing,
fell he to the ground.")
The rather neutral description of condition may, depending on the context, ranging
from "seeing as", "despite" to "even though" in translation. It can also
take on the function of a modal attributive:
e.g.: D'imigh tú agus fearg (a bheith) ort = You left in anger
(lit.: "Left you and anger (to be) on-you")
Instead of the infinitive construction, following agus a go-subordinating
clause may follow, which makes the description of condition even clearer. (see
also conditional conjunctions).
Similar constructions are also possible with ach = but , but then with a more restrictive (if it were not so, that; provided, that; ,etc.) or a conditional meaning (if)
not only... but also ... | lit. |
... chomh maith le... | ".. so good with ..." |
idir ... agus... | "between ... and ..." |
ní hamháin ... ach ... freisin | "not alone ... but ... also" |
examples:
Bhí Pól chomh maith le Seán sásta = Paul,
as well as Seán, were satisfied.
Idir mhná agus fhir a bhí sásta = Both men
and women were satisfied.
Ní hamháin Pól a bhí sásta ach
Seán freisin = Not only Paul but also Seán was satisfied.
neither ... nor ... | lit. |
ní ... ná ... | "not ... noch" |
ní ... agus ní ... | "not ... and not ..." |
examples:
Ní raibh Pól ná Seán sásta
= Neither Paul nor Seán were satisfied.
Ní íosfaidh mé agus ní ólfaidh
mé = I would neither eat nor drink
In negative responses, ná helps in supplementary information:
e.g.: An raibh Pól ann? - Ní raibh ná Seán
= Was Paul there? - No, and neither was Seán.
With 2 negated statements, one can emphasize the negation of the second clause with agus ní mó = "and no more" or agus is lú = "and the least", followed by a dir. relative clause.
examples:
Ní raibh sé anseo agus ní mó a bhí
sé ansin = He was not here and he was not there either.
Ní raibh sé sásta agus is lú a bhí
mé sásta = He was not satisfied and I was even less so satisfied.
These contain a selection or a negative clause, that means a part of the statement will be excluded
or | nó |
example
An raibh Pól nó Seán sásta inniu = Were Paul
or Seán satisfied today?
either... or... | lit. |
... (é) sin nó ... | "that or" |
examples:
Bhí Pól sásta é sin nó bhí
Seán sásta = Either Paul or Seán were satisfied.
or else | nó (neachtar acu) |
examples:
Ith é nó neachtar acu íosfaidh mé
é = Eat it, or else I will eat it.
but | ach |
example
Tá mé sásta inniú ach ní raibh mé
sásta inné. = I am satisfied today, but not yesterday.
other uses of ach
in negative responses
Ach is in negative responses preceding an eventual clause response or
correction: e.g.:
An dochtúir é? - Ní hea, ach múinteoir. =
Is he a doctor? - No, a teacher.
if
If the conditional is in the main clause, and the clause following ach
is negated, then ach means mostly "if"
Thógfadh sibh an balla, ach níl clocha agaibh. = You
would build a wall, if you had stones. (lit.: "... but you have no stones")
with infinitive constructions
Similar to agus, ach can introduce infinitive constructions (see
for further info agus)
Then, ach has a subordinating function and a rather conditional meaning
for "providing, that", "wenn" or a temporal meaning for "as soon as", "if",
"as". e.g.:
Gheobhaidh tú é ach íoc as = You will get it when you
pay for it
Tá sé maith go leor ach gan fearg a chur air = He is all right,
provided the anger doesn't rise in him
Bhí sé sásta ach an leithscéal sin a ghabháil
leis = He was satisfied, as soon as he got the apology.
instead of an infinitive construction also used together with the indirect relative particle a (ach a see as soon as)
only | ní ... ach ... |
except | lit. |
ach amháin (go) | "but alone(that)" |
cé is moite de/go | "who is exception of/that" |
diomaite de | "apart from" |
seachas | "besides" |
- | - | present | L/E | preterite | L/E | translation |
positive | go | E | gur | L | that | |
negative | Standard | nach | E | nár | L | that not |
Munster | ná | - | nár | L | that not | |
ná go | E | ná gur | L | that not |
examples:
Deir sé go bhfuil deifir air.= He said, that he's in a hurry.
Tá sé chomh fuar go bhfuil orainn ár gcótaí
a chaitheamh. It is so cold, that we must wear our coats.
Deir sí nach bhfuil ceart agat. She said, that you aren't right.
Dúirt sí nár fhoghlaim sí a cuidse. = She
said, that she hasn't learned her part.
In Munster, ná is used instead
of nach (and ná go following
a negative main clause):
Deir sé ná fuil sí ann = Deir sé nach
bhfuil sí ann = He said, that she is not there.
Ní deirim ná go bhfuil sí ann = Ní deirim
nach bhfuil sí ann = I don't say, that she isn't there.
There is a vast amount of "becauses" and similar causal conjunctions.
positive | negative | lit. | dialect |
mar (go) | mar nach | "as, that" | all |
faoi go | faoi nach | "thereunder, that" | Connacht |
de bharr go | de bharr nach | "of the point, that" | Connacht |
de bhrí go | de bhrí nach | "of strength, that" | |
ó tharla(igh) go | ó tharla(igh) nach | "there happened, that" | Connacht, Munster |
ós rud é go | ós rud é nach | "there it is a thing, that" | Munster |
toisc go | toisc nach | "purpose, that" | Munster |
mar gheall ar go | mar gheall ar nach | "as bet, that" | Connacht |
i ngeall ar go | i ngeall ar nach | "in bet, that" | Connacht |
(as) siocair go | (as) siocair nach | "(out of) cause, that" | Ulster |
a rá go | a rá nach | "to say, that" | |
ar an ábhair go | ar an ábhair nach | "on the material, that" | |
as ucht go | as ucht nach | "from the breast ,that" | Connacht |
cionn is go | cionn is nach | "head and that" | Ulster |
faoi rá is go | faoi rá is nach | "about saying and that" | |
lá go | lá nach | "day that" | Connacht, Munster |
ón uair go | ón uair nach | "from hour, that" | Munster |
le linn + VN | - | "while" | Ulster |
ag + VN | - | "at" | Connacht |
ar son go | ar son nach | "on happiness, that" | Connacht |
others: óir, dóigh, ó
(ós with the copula), arae,
nó
These are in affirmative clauses mostly without go, in negative
clauses however always with nach (like mar)
Some of these "becauses" allow a verbal noun construction (instead of go/nach-partial clauses)
examples:
Bhí faitíos roimpi mar go raibh sí an-ard. = One
was afraid of her because she was very tall.
Rinne siad é mar nach raibh siad leisciúil. = They did
it because they weren't lazy.
Bhí fearg air faoi go raibh siad ag déanamh gleo. = He
was angry because they were making noise.
Ní dheachaidh mé go hÉirinn de bharr go raibh mé
tinn. = I did not go to Ireland, because I was sick.
Óir is leatsa an ríocht agus an chumhacht agus an ghlóir.
= For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. (from the Lord's Prayer)
Dóigh is liomsa é. = Because is is mine.
Ós í an Ghaeilge an teanga náisiúnta is í
an phríomhtheanga oifigiuil í. = Because Irish is the national
language, it is the first official language. (from: Art. 8 of the Irish Constitution)
Note that mar, that carries various meanings:
examples:
mar tá sé = because he is (mar + verb)
mar go bhfuil sé = because he is (mar + go-subordinating clause)
Compare with the other uses of mar:
mar a bhfuil sé = where he is (mar + indir.
relative clause)
mar atá sé = how he is (mar + dir. relative
clause)
The negative form mar nach is the same for all 3 uses, only the context
gives the difference in meaning:
mar nach bhfuil sé = because/where/how he isn't.
- | lit. |
(agus) mar sin (go) | (and so) how that, (that) |
(agus) dá bhrí sin (go) | (and) from his strength, (that) |
fath um + indir. relative clause | "reason about" |
is uime sin + dir. relative clause | "is about that" |
examples
Níor tháinig sé agus sileadh mar sin gur
mharbh a bhí sé = He didn't arrive and that's why one thought
that he was dead.
Déanaim smaoineamh dá bhrí sin táim ann =
I think therefore I am.
Is uime sin a dúirt mé leat é = That's why I'm telling
you.
Circumstantial describe conditions under which other events occur. They remain
relatively neutral with resepect to if the event due to or despite
the condition (causal or concessive) takes place.
The describe only, that there is a connection between condition and event,
that makes it necessary to view, consider and to describe an event.
positive | negative | lit. |
agus go | agus nach | "and that" |
agus a rá go | agus a rá nach | "and to say, that" |
ráite go | ráite nach | "said, that" |
tráth is go | tráth is nach | "time and that" |
tar éis go | tar éis nach | "afterwards, that" |
i ndiaidh go | i ndiaidh nach | "afterwards, that" |
nuair a | nuair nach | "if" |
others:
agus + verbal noun (the VN bheith is omitted)
agus + a + abstract noun + a
+ dir. relative clause (see also abstract
noun)
agus chomh + adjective + agus
a + dir. relative clause
examples:
Ní haon ionadh sin agus gurb eisean do mhac = That is not surprising,
seeing that he is your son.
Agus nach tusa a rinne ar chor ar bith é! = Considering, that
you haven't even done it!
Ní dhéanfaidh tú é tráth agus nár
thosaigh tú fós = You will not do it, since you have not even
started with it.
Ní hionadh é agus a fheabhas a bhí tú
= It is no surprise, as good as you were (seeing, how good you were)
Ní hionadh é agus chomh maith agus a bhí
tú = It is no surprise, so good as you were.
Ba cheart duit a bheith amuigh agus an lá (a bheith) chomh breá
sin = You should be outdoors, considering that the weather is so nice.
positive | negative | lit. |
cé go | cé nach | "who, that" |
cé is moite go | cé is moite nach | "who is exception, that" |
(d')ainneoin go | (d')ainneoin nach | "(of) resistance, that" |
i ndiaidh (is) go | i ndiaidh (is) nach | "after, that" |
tar éis go | tar éis nach | "after, that" |
siúd is go | siúd is nach | "there and that" |
i dtaobh is go | i dtaobh is nach | "in side and that" |
ach go | ach nach | "but, that" |
ar a shon go | ar a shon nach | "on the reason, that" |
má ... féin | mura ... féin | "if ... even" |
dá ... féin | mura ... féin | "if ... even" |
fiú amháin | ní fiú amháin | "worth only" |
más ea (féin) | "(even) when it is" |
instead of cé also gidh (gí)
examples:
Ní chreidim é cé go bhfeicim é. = I don't
believe it, even though I see it.
Ní dhearna sé é, (d')ainneoin go dúirt mé
leis é. = He didn't do it, although I told him to.
Níor tháinig fearg orm léi i ndiaidh nach n-éistfeadh
sí liom. = I didn't become angry with her, even though she didn't want
to listen to me.
Chuala mé iad siúd is nach bhfaca mé iad. = I heard
her, although I didn't see her.
Má tá sé bocht féin tá sé
fial. = Although ("even if") he is poor, he is generous
Fiú amháin tá sé bocht tá sé
fial = Even though he is poor, he is generous
Fear leannta é, más ea féin, níl aon Bhéarla
aige = He's a learned man, but he still can't speak English.
conditional clauses (má, dá) can possess a concessive character (also without féin), dá- clauses are then often with the indicative or imperative in the main clause (in the conditional meaning, the conditional is always in the main clause)
positive | negative | lit. |
le go | le nach | "with that" |
chun go | chun nach | "to that" |
ar nós go | ar nós nach | "on the way, that" |
i riocht is go | i riocht is nach | "in the form and that" |
i gcruth is go | i gcruth is nach | "in the form and that" |
i gcaoi go | i gcaoi nach | "in the way, that" |
i dtreo go | i dtreo nach | "in the direction, that" |
sa tslí go | sa tslí nach | "in the way, that" |
súil is go | súil is nach | "eye and that" |
faoi choinne + VN | - | "under meeting" |
sa dóigh go | sa dóigh nach | "in the way that" |
ar shlí go | ar shlí nach | "on the way that" |
d'fhonn is go | d'fhonn is nach | "from the wish and that"* |
ionas go | ionas nach | "way, that" |
go | - | "that" |
nó go | - | "or that" |
- | sula | "before" |
- | ar eagla (go) | "on fear, that" |
d'fhonn is go is more accurately translated as "in the hope, that...".
ar eagla go means also more lit. "out of fear that"
Following sula (in Munster sara) the subjunctive is also allowed.
examples
Déan deifir le go mbeidh tú réidh in am. = Hurry
so that you are ready in time.
Scríobh sí síos é ar nós nach ndéanfadh
sí dearmad air. = She wrote it down, so that she would not forget it.
Chodail mé rófhada i riocht is go raibh mé déanach.
= I overslept so, that I was late.
Dúirt sé é sin d'fhonn is go gcuirfeadh sé
fearg orm. = He said that in the hope that it would anger me.
Tháinig sé anseo go bhfeicfeadh sé í. = He
came here to see her.
Chuaigh sé abhaile sula bhfeictí é - He went home,
in order not to be seen. (lit.: ... before he will be seen)
positive | negative | lit. |
go dtí go | go dtí nach | "until coming, that" |
nó go | - | "or that" |
(is) go | - | "(and) that" |
Following these conjunctions, the subjunctive can be used, if it's concering indefinite time periods.
examples
Bhí siad ina dtost go dtí go bhfaca mé iad. = They
were silent, until I saw them.
Fan nó go dtiocfaidh / dtaga sé. = Wait until he comes.
Ní thiocfaidh sé go bhfaighidh sé cuireadh uait.
= He will not come, until you invite him.
Form | + | lit. | |
positive | ó | indep. verb form | "since" |
negative | ó nach | dir. relative clause | "since, that not" |
ó may also mean da (in the causal sense, similar to the
engl. since) see because, for
with the copula, ó conjoins to ós
ó is also used as a preposition: ó = from, since.
example
Ní fhaca mé iad ó chuala mé an scéal.
= I have not seen her, since I heard the news.
present | L/E | preterite | L/E |
ach a | E | ach ar | L |
as soon as | + |
chomh luath is a | direct relative clause |
(ar) feadh | VN |
Following ach a, the subjunctive tense is allowed, when it's about an
indefinite time period.
Instead of the indir. relative particle a, an infinitive construction
may follow ach (see ach)
examples
Glaofaidh sí chomh luath is a thiocfaidh sí abhaile. =
She will call, as soon as she comes home.
Inseoidh mé sin dó ach a bhfeicfidh / bhfeice mé
é.= I will tell him that, as soon as I see him.
present | L/E | preterite | L/E |
sula | E | sular | L |
until,before | + | lit. |
an t-am a | indirect relative clause | "the time,that" |
roimh | object + a + verbal noun + do + subject | "before to" |
sula / sular is a combination of sul ( = before) and the indirect
relative particle a / ar, hence sul a/ar
is also possible.
Regional: instead of sula also sara / sarar
(Munster), sol (with dir. relative clause),
sola, sul má (Connemara), roimh
(Mayo)
Following sula, the subjunctive may be used (by indefinite time
points/time periods)
Sula has also the final meaning "in order to not / to not".
examples
Béidh sé anseo sula dtaga mé ar ais. = He will be
here, before I return.
Béidh sé anseo sara dtiocfaidh mé ar ais. = He will
be here, before I return.
Bhí siad ina suí sara ndéaradh sé focal -
They stood up, before he could say a word.
Phéinteáil sé an doras sular tháinig Pádraig.=
He had painted the door, before Pádraig arrived.
An t-am ar tháinig sé, bhíodar díolta
ar fad.= Until (before) he arrived, they were all sold out.'
Roimh imeacht dom, béidh sé anseo = before I go,
he will be here.
während | + | lit. |
chomh fada is a | direct relative clause | "so far and that" |
an t-achar a | direct relative clause | "the distance, that" |
fad a | direct relative clause | " far, that" |
le linn | object + a + verbal noun + do + subject | "with period ... to" |
ag | object + a + verbal noun + do + subject | "at ... to" |
ag | verbal noun + genitive object + do + subject | "at ... to" |
agus | subject + ag + verbal noun | "and ... at" |
chomh fada is a > chúns a (in Connacht)
More about le linn and ag + do + subject see here usage
of the verbal noun: synchronicity
examples:
Bhí sé ag caoineadh an t-achar a / fad a / chúns
a bhí sé ag caint liom.= He was crying as he spoke with me.
Le linn a bheith anseo dó rinne sé a chuid den obair
= As he was here, he did his work
Agus é ag gáire, thit sé go talamh = While laughing,
he fell over.
Ag léamh litreach dó fuair sé bás.
= As he was reading the letter, he died.
as long as | + relative clause | lit. |
fad (agus) a | direct | "long (and) that |
example:
Tig leat é a choinneáil fad is a thugann tú aire
dó.= You may hold it, as long as you take care of it.'
after | + | lit. |
tar éis | object + a + verbal noun + do + subject | "after ... to" |
ar | verbal noun + genitive object +do + subject | "on ... to" |
ar with the possessive pronomen a comprises the combined form arna
example:
Tiocfaidh an bhean tar éis imeacht don fhear. = The woman
will come, after the man is gone
Ar chloisteáil na nuachta dí bhí sí
tinn. = After she heard the news, she was sick.
Arna cloisteáil sin dí bhí sí tinn.
= After she had heard it, she was sick.
+ relative clause | lit. | |
nuair a | direct | "(the) time, when"* |
* nuair < an uair = the time
examples:
Nuair a bhí mé óg, bhí mé i mo chónaí
i nDún na nGall. = As I was young, I lived in Donegal.
Leag thart é nuair a bheidh tú réidh leis. = Put
it away, when you are done with it.
+ | lit. | |
gach uair dá | eclipsis | "every time from all, that" |
dá is here the combination of the preposition de and the generalising relative pronoun a. Dá appears often after gach + noun.
examples:
Gach uair dá bhfaca mé é, ní raibh sé
ag obair. = Every time that I saw him, he was not working.
In Irish, there are two types of conditions (conditional -)clauses, depending on if the realisation of the condition is possible (real conditional clauses) or just assumed (irreal conditional clauses).
- | positive | L/E | negative | L/E | negative
preterite |
L/E |
Real: | má | L | mura | E | murar | L |
Irreal: | dá | E | mura | E | - | - |
Regional instead of mura / murar also muna / munar, mara / marar
Following má, any tense is allowed (instead of the future, the
habitual present)
Following dá, normally comes the conditional or subjunctive-preterite
(same form as the imperfect)
Following a realistic mura, any tense is allowed, also the subjunctive-present
(in the future sense)
Following an irrealistic mura, comes either the conditional or subjunctive-preterite.
examples:
Má bhíonn sé sásta, tiocfaidh na fir. = If
he is satisfied, the men will come.
Tiocfaidh fearg uirthi, mura ndéanfar di é = She will be
angry, if one doesn't do it for her,
Murar chaill sí é, ghoid sé é. = If she hasn't
lost it, he stole it.
Dá mbeadh lá maith ann dhéanfainn é. = If
it were a nice day, I would do it.
Mura rachainn leis ní fheicfinn an mhaighdean mhara. = If I hadn't
gone with him, I wouldn't have seen the mermaid.
mar dá:
Mar dá mbeadh sé ann bheadh sé sásta = For
if he were there, he would be satisfied.
lit. | |
murach (go/nach) | see below |
mura mbeadh (go/nach) | "if-not were (that)" |
murab é (go/nach) | "if-not-were it (that)" |
ach (go/nach) | "but (that)" |
ach ab é (go/nach) | "but were it (that)" |
This is used to describe results, if already realised conditions would not
exist.
The main clause is in the conditional .
The subordinate clause follwing murach / ach is in the indicative.
Instead of a subordinate clause, an infinitive construction or a noun may also
be written, in the latter case, murach becomes a preposition in the sense of
"without".
example:
Ní chréidfinn é murach go bhfaca mé féin
é= I wouldn't have believed it, had I not seen it myself.
Murach an balla = If it weren't for the wall, without the wall
Ach go bhfuil balla ann = If the wall weren't there.
Ach nach bhfuil balla ann = If it weren't so, that there was no wall
(= if there were a wall)
positive | negative | lit. |
i gcleithiúnas go | i gcleithiúnas nach | "in dependence, that" |
ar chuntar go | ar chuntar nach | "on condition , that" |
example:
Éireoidh leis an bhfiontar i gcleithiúnas go mbeidh cách
páirteach ann.= The project will be a success, provided that we all participate.
Tig leat é a bhriseadh ar chuntar go n-íocfaidh tú
as.= You may break it, if you pay for it.
also ach can be used in this sense (with verbal noun or with go; see also but)
if | positive | negative |
present | an | nach |
preterite | ar | nár |
In Connacht also má in the sense
of "if " is used.
an / nach is a verb particle (here used in the sense
of an"indirect query")
example:
Níl mé cinnte an bhfuil mé sásta. = I am
not sure, if I am satisfied.
Ní mé ar chuala sé é. = I wonder, if he heard
it.
Níl a fhios agam má tá Gaeilge aige. = I don't know,
if he can speak Irish.
if ... or not | + (after 1st part) | + (after 2nd part) | lit. |
an ... nó nach ... | eclipsis | eclipsis | "if ... or if not" |
cé acu a ... nó nach ... | dir.relative clause | dir. relative clause | "who at-them that ... or that not" |
cé acu an ... nó nach ... | eclipsis | eclipsis | "who at-them if ... or if not" |
pé acu a ... nó nach ... | dir.relative clause | dir. relative clause | "whoever at-them that ... or that not" |
cibé acu a ... nó nach ... | dir.relative clause | dir. relative clause | "whoever at-them that ... or that not" |
... nó ná ... | imperative | imperative | "...or not ..." |
má ... má .... | real conditional clause | real conditional clause | "if ... then ..." |
e.g.:
Níl a fhios agam an bhfuil mé sásta nó
nach bhfuil = I don't know, if I am satisfied, or not.
Níl a fhios agam cé acu atá mé sásta
nó nach bhfuil = I don't know, if I am satisfied, or not.
Níl a fhios agam cé acu an bhfuil mé sásta
nó nach bhfuil = I don't know, if I am satisfied, or not.
Bíodh sé sásta nó ná bíodh
= if he is satisfied or not.
Instead of the negative nó nach
(or not) another (positive) alternative with nó
an, nó a (or if ) may also follow.
e.g.:
Níl a fhios agam an bhfuil mé sásta nó
an bhfuil mé míshásta = I don't know, if I am satisfied
or if I am unsatisfied.
Níl a fhios agam cé acu a bhí mé sásta
nó a bhí mé míshásta = I don't know,
if I was satisfied or if I was unsatisfied.
Of course there can be two alternatives in one clause (connected via nó
= or).
e.g.:
An bhfuil mise nó tusa sásta = if I or you are satisfied
Cé acu mise nó tusa atá sásta = if
I or you are satisfied
Pé, cé acu, cibé acu, an
also with 2 adjectives directly following one another (without
nó), also similar más with
2 adjectives:
e.g.:
Pé maith olc é = if it is good or bad
Más maith olc é = if it is good or bad
Más fíor bréag é = if it is true or false
The forms an, cé acu appear in indirect
queries.
But pé, pé acu, cibé acu
appear in the sense of a condition (to describe the ambivalence of the
condition). In this sense the imperative form is used (sim. in German: "Sei
es oder sei es nicht"=May it be so or not)
examples:
In the sense of an indirect query:
Níl mé cinnte an bhfuil mé sásta inniu nó
nach bhfuil. = I am not sure if I am satisfied today or not.
Abair liom cé acu a bheidh tú ann nó nach
mbeidh = Tell me if you will be there or not.
Níl a fhios agam an fíor bréag é = I don't
know if it is true or false.
In the sense of an ambivalent condition :
Cibé acu a bheidh sé ann nó nach mbeidh,
beimid sásta. = if he will be there or not, we will be satisfied.
Pé maith olc é = if it is good or bad, either good or bad,
be it good or bad.
Pé maith olc leat é = either you like it or not, if you
like it or not.
Beimid ann, tagadh sé nó ná tagadh. = We will be
there, if he comes or not.
Ambivalence (neamhchúis) can also be expressed with dá + abstract noun in the sense of "how ... ever": dá olcas é = however bad, or with cibé in the sense of "who/which/what ever": cibé áit ar bith = whichever place/wherever
positive | negative | + | lit. |
ar nós dá | - | irreal conditional clause | "on way if" |
ach oiread agus dá | - | irreal conditional clause | "but amount as if" |
ach chomh beag agus dá | - | irreal conditional clause | "but so small as if" |
chomh (+ adj.) (agus) dá | - | irreal conditional clause | "so ... as if" |
amhail (agus) dá | - | irreal conditional clause | "like as if" |
fearacht agus dá | - | irreal conditional clause | "like as if" |
ionann agus dá | - | irreal conditional clause | "same as if" |
mar a | mar nach | direct relative clause | "like" |
ar nós mar a | ar nós mar nach | direct relative clause | "on way, like" |
faoi mar a | faoi mar nach | direct relative clause | "according, like" |
amhail mar a | amhail mar nach | direct relative clause | "so, like" |
cosúil le mar a | cosúil le mar nach | direct relative clause | "same, like" |
mar dhea go | mar dhea nach | eclipsis | "as if it were, that" |
i leith is go | i leith is nach | eclipsis | "in side, that" |
After mar a, etc. follows mostly a verb in the conditional.
mar dhea go has the meaning of an intentional faking (similar also the
verb lig (ar ... go) (engl. to let
on = to pretend): "to do so, as if "
(mar dhea originally mar bh'ea, lit. "as were it")
examples:
Chorraigh sí ar nós dá mbeadh sí ag iarraid
í féin a bhaint as poll.= She moved around, as if she were trying
to free herself out of a hole.
Níor chuala mé aon rud ach oiread agus dá mbeadh
gan duine a bheith beo sa bhaile seo. = I heard nothing, as if no one in this
village were alive.
Bhog sé a cheann (ar nós) mar a bheadh sé ag seinm.=
He moved his head (so), as if he were playing music.'
Bhí an múinteoir go maith dom fearacht dá mba mé
a mhac féin = The teacher was so good to me, as if I were his own son.
Bhí an múinteoir go maith dom i leith is gur mé
a mhac féin. = The teacher was so good to me, as if I were his own son.
Bhí an múinteoir chomh maith dom is dá mba
mé a mhac féin. = idem.
D'fhan sé ansin ag ligean air féin gur ag breathnú
ar an teilifis a bhí sé = He stayed there and did so, as if he
were watching television.
like, as | + relative clause | lit. |
sa chaoi a | indirect | "in the way, that" |
mar a | direct | "like" |
amhail a | direct | "like" |
amhail mar a | direct | "like" |
sa chaoi a in Connemara also sa gcaoi a; also without article: i gcaoi a
examples:
D'fhág sí é sa gcaoi a raibh sé. = She left
it as it was.
Seinneadh port ansin, mar a rinneadh go minic. = Then a melody was played,
like one had often done it.
Amhail a dúirt sé = Exactly, as he said.
see also about the comparitive under comparitive conjunctions (so ... like, (more) than)
oiread (...) agus a | + dir. relative clause | "amount ... and her" |
example:
Níl oiread airgid agam agus a cheapfá. = I haven't
as much money, as you think.
ar feadh a | + indir. relative clause | "for the duration as" |
sa mhéid go/nach | + eclipsis | "in the extent, that" |
example:
Níl sé anseo ar feadh a bhfuil a fhios agam = He is not
here, as far as I know.
where | + | lit. |
mar a | indirect relative clause | "where"* |
san áit a | indirect relative clause | "in the place, where" |
cá | eclipsis | "where" |
* mar a can also mean "where" (with an indirect relative clause)
or "how" (with direct relative clause):
Bíodh sé mar atá sé agus Trá Lí
mar a bhfuil sí = May it be, as it be and may Tralee be, where it may
be (saying)
example:
Lorg iad mar ar chuir tú iad.= Look for them (there), where you
left them.
Fan san áit a bhfuil tú.= Stay where you are!
Níl a fhios agam cá bhfuil tú = I don't know, where you are.