Autonomous Form

Affirmative Statements

In making affirmative statements in the Autonomous Form, some changes are always made at the end of the verb. First, identify the root of the verb as follows:

1. For the majority of First Conjugation (usually one syllable) verbs, the entire verb is the root. Please refer to the samplaí (examples) in the chart below. An exception is when the verb ends with “igh”. In that case, if there is an accented vowel immediately before the “igh”, simply drop the “igh” to expose the root. In all other cases, delete the “igh” and replace it with an “í”. Please refer to the samplaí (examples) in the chart below. Also, be aware that there are a few two syllable verbs in the First Conjugation which maintain two syllables in the root. Please refer to the samplaí (examples) in the chart below.

2. For the Second Conjugation (usually multi-syllable) verbs, part or all of the end of the verb is generally removed to reveal the root. Whenever these verbs end in “(a)igh” (the most common type), simply drop that syllable. Please refer to the samplaí (examples) in the chart below. In most other cases, squeeze the vowels out of the last syllable and tack the remaining consonant(s) onto the end of the first syllable. For example, with the verb “codail”, squeeze the “ai” out of the second syllable and add the remaining “l” to the end of the first syllable to make the root – “codl…”. Please refer to the samplaí (examples) in the chart below.

Second, to the root add these endings:

1) For First Conjugation verbs, add:

If last vowel in root is 

‘e’ or ‘i’

a’, ‘o’ or ‘u’

Past Tense

…eadh

…adh

Present Tense…

…tear

…tar

Future Tense…

…fear

…far

Conditional Tense…

…fí

…faí

Past Habitual Tense…

…tí

…taí

2) For Second Conjugation verbs, add:

If last vowel in root is 

‘e’ or ‘i’

a’, ‘o’ or ‘u’

Past Tense

…íodh

…aíodh

Present Tense…

…ítear

…aítear

Future Tense…

…eofar

…ófar

Conditional Tense…

…eofaí

…ófaí

Past Habitual Tense…

…ítí

…aítí

Conditional and Habitual Past

Conditional and Habitual Past tenses will also require changes at the begining of the verb. Start with the basic verb and séimhiú (add an “h” after) an initial consonant if it is a: B,C,D,F*,G,M,P or T. (In other words, all consonants except L,N,R and sometimes S.) Séimhiú (add an “h” after) an initial ‘S’ only if the following letter is a vowel or an L,N or R. Otherwise, leave an initial ‘S’ unchanged. An initial L,N or R always remain unchanged. Add “D'” before an initial vowel or an initial ‘F*’.

Negative Statements and Questions

Negative Statements and Questions are made in the autonomous form by adding verbal particles before the verb, and often by also making changes to the beginning of the affirmative statement form. The rules follow according to the tense (except for the Past Tense, where séimhiú is not used!). See the appropriate rules listed on the other pages here for the tense needed.


*Note: When ‘F’ takes a séimhiú it becomes silent so that the first sound heard in the verb is the following vowel. Because of this, “D'” is added before “fh” as though the verb started with a vowel.


Please refer to the samplaí (examples) in the chart below.

Autonomous Form – Samples

Réimniú
Conjugation

Samplaí
Examples

A

2

Athraítear na bindealáin chuile lá. The bandages are changed every day.

(Present) Ní athraítear … An athraítear …? Nach n-athraítear …?

B

1

Buailtear an brat le bata adhmaid. The carpet is beaten with a wooden stick.

(Present) Ní bhuailtear … An mbuailtear …? Nach mbuailtear …?

C

2

Codlaíodh an oíche amuigh faoin spéir. The night was slept under the open sky. 

(Past) Níor codlaíodh … Ar codlaíodh …? Nár codlaíodh …?

D

2

Dúiseofar sa leaba mhí-cheart amárach Somebody will awaken in the wrong bed tomorrow. 

(Future) Ní dhúiseofar … An ndúiseofar …? Nach ndúiseofar …?

E

2

Déireofaí ina h-onóir, cinnte. Somebody would rise in her honor, surely.

(Conditional) Ní éireofaí … An éireofaí …? Nach n-éireofaí …?

F

1

Fágadh na prátaí lofa sa ngort. The rotten potatoes were left in the field. 

(Past) Níor fágadh … Ar fágadh …? Nár fágadh …?

G

1

Glanfar an t-iasc ar ball. The fish will be cleaned (gutted) in awhile.

(Future) Ní ghlanfar … An nglanfar …? Nach nglanfar …?

I

2

Inseofar scéalta scanrúla Oíche Shamhna. Scary stories will be told on Halloween.

(Future) Ní inseofar … An inseofar …? Nach n-inseofar …?

L

2

Labhraítí an Ghaeilge ar fud na tíre. Irish used to be spoken throughout the country.

(Past Habitual) Ní labhraítí … An labhraítí …? Nach labhraítí …?

M

2

Mharófaí an fealltóir fuafar. Somebody would kill the loathsome traitor.

(Conditional) Ní mharófaí … An marófaí …? Nach marófaí …?

N

1

Nífí siad murach an easpa uisce. They would be washed but for the lack of water.

(Conditional) Ní nífí … An nífí …? Nach nífí …?

O

1

Ólfar deoch shláinte anseo anocht. A healing potion will be drunk here tonight. 

(Future) Ní ólfar … An ólfar …? Nach n-ólfar …?

P

1

Póstar sa séipéal gach seachtain. Somebody gets married in the chapel every week.

(Present) Ní phóstar … An bpóstar …? Nach bpóstar …?

R

1

Rití chun fógartha a thabhairt. Somebody used to run to give a warning.

(Past Habitual) Ní rití … An rití …? Nach rití …?

S1

1

Sheastaí siad le balla. They used to be stood against the wall.

(Past Habitual) Ní sheastaí … An seastaí …? Nach seastaí …?

S2

1

Sroichfí an cuspóir le pleanáil. The goal could be attained with planning.

(Conditional) Ní shroichfí … An sroichfí …? Nach sroichfí …?

S3

2

Smaoinítí go raibh adharca orthu. It used to be thought that they had horns.

(Past Habitual) Ní smaoinítí … An smaoinítí …? Nach smaoinítí …?

T

1

Taispeánadh a phas don oifigeach. His passport was shown to the officer.

(Past) Níor taispeánadh … Ar taispeánadh …? Nár taispeánadh …?

U

2

Ullmhaíodh dinnéar ar a seacht a chlog. Dinner was prepared at seven o’clock.

(Past) Ní ullmhaíodh … An ullmhaíodh …? Nach n-ullmhaíodh …?

Conditional Form – Examples

Conditional Mood – Regular Verbs

Réimniú
Conjugation

Samplaí
Examples

A

2

D’éireoinn i mo sheasamh chun Moncha a fheiceáil. I would rise to my feet to see Moncha.

Ní éireoinn… An éireoinn…? Nach n-éireoinn…?

B

1

Mharóidís an pleidhce fealltach. They would kill the treacherous fool.

Ní mharóidís… An maróidís …? Nach maróidís …?

C

2

Sheasfadh Áine ar a boinn fhéin. Áine would stand on her own (two) feet.

Ní sheasfadh sí… An seasfadh sí… Nach seasfadh sí…?

D

2

Dhúiseofá na mairbh leis an amhrán géar sin. You would awaken the dead with that shrill song.

Ní dhúiseofá… An ndúiseofá…? Nach ndúiseofá…?

E

2

D’éireoinn i mo sheasamh chun Moncha a fheiceáil. I would rise to my feet to see Moncha.

Ní éireoinn… An éireoinn…? Nach n-éireoinn…?

F

1

Dfhágfaidís gach uile rud ar son Dé. They would leave everything to serve God.

Ní fhágfaidís… An bhfágfaidís…? Nach bhfágfaidís…?

G

1

Ghlanfadh Rath as an áit ar an bpointe. Rath would clear out of the place immediately.

Ní ghlanfadh sí… An nglanfadh sí…? Nach nglanfadh sí…?

I

2

Dinseodh sé a chuid eachtraí dúinn. He would tell (relate) his adventures to us.

Ní inseodh sé… An inseodh sé…? Nach n-inseodh sé…?

L

2

Labhrófá Gaeilge leis an dream uilig. You would speak Irish to the entire group.

Ní labhrófá… An labhrófá… Nach labhrófá…?

M

2

Mharóidís an pleidhce fealltach. They would kill the treacherous fool.

Ní mharóidís… An maróidís …? Nach maróidís …?

N

1

Nífeadh Pádraig é fhéin óna pheacai. Pádraig would clense himself of his sins.

Ní nífeadh sé… An nífeadh sé…? Nach nífeadh sé…?

O

1

Dólfainn an chrois den asal. I would drink ‘heavily’ (Literally: ‘the cross off a donkey’s back’).

Ní ólfainn… An ólfainn…? Nach n-ólfainn…?

P

1

Phósfadh muid an túisce is féidir. We should marry as soon as possible.

Ní phósfadh muid… An bpósfadh muid…? Nach bpósfadh muid…?

R

1

Rithfeá ina dhiaidh na gasúir ainnise. You would run after the wretched children.

Ní rithfeá… An rithfeá…? Nach rithfeá…?

S1

1

Sheasfadh Áine ar a boinn fhéin. Áine would stand on her own (two) feet.

Ní sheasfadh sí… An seasfadh sí… Nach seasfadh sí…?

S2

1

Shroichfidís port roimh an stoirm thoirní. They would reach port before the thunder-storm.

Ní shroichfidís… An sroichfidís…? Nach sroichfidís…?

S3

2

Smaoineoinn ar bhréag níos fearr ná sin. I would think of a better lie than that. 

Ní smaoineoinn… An smaoineoinn…? Nach smaoineoinn…?

T

1

Thaispeánfadh sibh an bealach dóibh. You (plural) would show them the way.

Ní thaispeánfadh sibh… An dtaispeánfadh sibh…? Nach dtaispeánfadh sibh…?

U

2

D’ullmhódh Máire faoi choinne an scrúdaithe. Máire would prepare for the exam. 

Ní ullmhódh sí… An ullmhódh sí … Nach n-ullmhódh sí …?

Future Tense


Affirmative Statements

In making affirmative statements in the future tense, all changes are made at the end of the verb. First, identify the root of the verb as follows:

1. For the majority of First Conjugation (usually one syllable) verbs, the entire verb is the root [B-F-G-O-P-R-S1-S2].An exception is when the verb ends with “igh“. In that case, if there is an accented vowel immediately before the “igh“, simply drop the “igh” to expose the root. In all other cases, delete the “igh” and replace it with an “í[N] . Also, be aware that there are a few two syllable verbs in the First Conjugation which maintain two syllables in the root [T].

2. For Second Conjugation (usually multi-syllable) verbs, part or all of the end of the verb is generally removed to reveal the root. Whenever these verbs end in “(a)igh” (the most common type), simply drop that syllable [A-D-E-M-S3-U]. In most other cases, squeeze the vowels out of the last syllable and tack the remaining consonant(s) onto the end of the first syllable. For example, with the verb “codail“, squeeze the “ai” out of the second syllable and add the remaining “l” to the end of the first syllable to make the root – “codl…” [C-I-L].

Second, to the root add these endings:

1) For First Conjugation verbs, add:

  • “…fidh” if the root’s final vowel is slender (an ‘i’ or ‘e’), or
    “…faidh” if the root’s final vowel is broad (an ‘a’, ‘o’ or ‘u’).

2) For Second Conjugation verbs, add:

  • “…eoidh” if the root’s final vowel is slender (an ‘i’ or ‘e’), or
    “…óidh” if the root’s final vowel is broad (an ‘a’, ‘o’ or ‘u’).

Negative Statements and Questions

Negative statements and questions are constructed in the future tense by making these changes to the affirmative statement form:

  • 1) Negative Statements – Add ” ” before the verb, and “séimhiú” (lenite) an initial consonant in the verb where possible.
  • 2) Questions – Add “An” before the verb, and urú (eclipse) an initial consonant in the verb where possible.
  • 3) Negative Questions – Add “Nach” before the verb, and urú (eclipse) an initial consonant in the verb where possible. If the verb begins with a vowel, “n-” is added before the vowel.

 

Samplaí
(Examples)


Note: The letters like this “[A]” are keys to the linked examples.

Future Tense – Examples


Future Tense – Regular Verbs
Réimniú
Conjugation
Samplaí
Examples
A 2 Athróidh Deirdre dath a cuid gruaige. Deirdre will change the color of her hair.

Ní athróidh sí… An athróidh sí…? Nach n-athróidh sí…?
B 1 Buailfidh Eilís an bithiúnach. Eilís will beat the scoundrel.

Ní bhuailfidh sí… An mbuailfidh sí…? Nach mbuailfidh sí…?
C 2 Codlóidh Cáit sa gcoill leis na h-ainmhithe fiáine. Cáit will sleep in the forest with the wild animals.

Ní chodlóidh sí… An gcodlóidh sí…? Nach gcodlóidh sí…?
D 2 Dúiseoidh Cóilín óna néal codlata le gairid. Cóilín will soon awaken from his snooze.

Ní dhúiseoidh sé… An ndúiseoidh sé…? Nach ndúiseoidh sé…?
E 2 Éireoidh Stiofán as a phost amárach. Stiofán will quit (resign from) his job tomorrow.

Ní éireoidh sé… An éireoidh sé…? Nach n-éireoidh sé…?
F 1 Fágfaidh Bríd a bábóg sa gcliabhán. Bríd will leave her doll in the cradle.

Ní fhágfaidh sí… An bhfágfaidh sí…? Nach bhfágfaidh sí…?
G 1 Glanfaidh an t-arm na daoine ó na sráideanna. The army will clear the people from the streets.

Ní ghlanfaidh sé… An nglanfaidh sé…? Nach nglanfaidh sé…?
I 2 Inseoidh Barra scéal draíochta eile dúinn. Barra will tell us another enchanting story.

Ní inseoidh sé… An inseoidh sé…? Nach n-inseoidh sé…?
L 2 Labhróidh Seán leis na cailíní go léir. Seán will speak to all of the girls.

Ní labhróidh sé… An labhróidh sé…? Nach labhróidh sé…?
M 2 Maróidh Conor an rógaire a ghoid an clog. Conor will kill the rogue who stole the clock.

Ní mharóidh sé… An maróidh sé…? Nach maróidh sé…?
N 1 Nífidh Síle a cuid éadaigh bhréain san abhainn. Síle will wash her filthy clothes in the river.

Ní nífidh sí… An nífidh sí…? Nach nífidh sí…?
O 1 Ólfaidh Dracúla d’fhuil anocht. Dracúla will drink your blood tonight.

Ní ólfaidh sé… An ólfaidh sé…? Nach n-ólfaidh sé…?
P 1 Pósfaidh Daithí an cailín álainn. Daithí will marry the beautiful girl.

Ní phósfaidh sé… An bpósfaidh sé…? Nach bpósfaidh sé…?
R 1 Rithfidh Clár chun fios a chur ar na gardaí. Clár will run to get (send for) the police.

Ní rithfidh sí… An rithfidh sí…? Nach rithfidh sí…?
S1 1 Seasfaidh muid le chéile i gcoinne an namhaid. We will stand together against the enemy.

Ní sheasfaidh muid… An seasfaidh muid…? Nach seasfaidh muid…?
S2 1 Sroichfidh Cinaed na flaithis romhainn. Cinaed will reach heaven before us.

Ní shroichfidh sé… An sroichfidh sé…? Nach sroichfidh sé…?
S3 2 Smaoineoidh Roibeárd fúithi an oíche ar fad. Roibeárd will think about her all night long.

Ní smaoineoidh sé… An smaoineoidh sé…? Nach smaoineoidh sé…?
T 1 Taispeánfaidh Rath a hata nua dena cairde. Rath will show her new hat to her friends.

Ní thaispeánfaidh sí… An dtaispeánfaidh sí…? Nach dtaispeánfaidh sí…?
U 2 Ullmhóidh Cailín cluichí oideasacha daoibh. Cailín will prepare educational games for you.

Ní ullmhóidh sí… An ullmhóidh sí…? Nach n-ullmhóidh sí…?

Habitual Past Tense

AIMSIR GHNÁTHCHAITE – BRIATHRA RIALTA

Affirmative Statements

In making affirmative statements in the habitual past, changes are made at both the beginning and the end of the verb. The changes made at the beginning of the verb are the same as in the past tense. (See previous lesson.) Please refer to the samplaí (examples) in the chart below. First, identify the root of the verb as follows:

1. For the majority of the First Conjugation (usually one syllable) verbs, the entire verb is the root. Please refer to the samplaí (examples) in the chart below. An exception is when the verb ends in “igh.” In that case, if there is an accented vowel immediately before the “igh,” simply drop the “igh” to expose the root. In all other cases, delete the “igh” and replace it with an “í”. Please refer to the samplaí (examples) in the chart below. Also, be aware that there are a few two syllable verbs in the First Conjugation which maintain two syllables in the root. Please refer to the samplaí (examples) in the chart below.

2. For the Second Conjugation (usually multi-syllable) verbs, part or all of the end of the verb is generally removed to reveal the root. Whenever these verbs end in “(a)igh” (the most common type), simply drop that syllable. Please refer to the samplaí (examples) in the chart below. In most other cases, squeeze the vowels out of the last syllable and tack the remaining consonant(s) onto the end of the first syllable. For example, with the verb “codail,” squeeze the “ai” out of the second syllable and add the remaining “l” to the end of the first syllable to make the root “codl…”. Please refer to the samplaí (examples) in the chart below.

Second, to the root add these endings:

1) For First Conjugation verbs, add:

If last vowel in root is 

‘e’ or ‘i’

a’, ‘o’ or ‘u’

I would…

…inn

…ainn

You (singular) would…

…teá

…tá

*He/She/We/You (pl.) would*…

…eadh

…adh

They would…

…idís

…aidís

2) For Second Conjugation verbs, add:

If last vowel in root is 

‘e’ or ‘i’

a’, ‘o’ or ‘u’

I would…

…ínn

…aínn

You (singular) would…

…íteá

…aíteá

*He/She/We/You (pl.) would*…

…íodh

…aíodh

They would…

…ídís

…aídís

Negative Statements and Questions

Negative Statements and Questions are constructed in the habitual past tense by making these changes to the affirmative statement form:

  • 1) Negative Statements – Add “” before the verb, and séimhiú (lenite) the initial consonant in the verb where possible.
  • 2) Direct Questions – Add “An” before the verb, and úrú (eclipse) the initial consonant in the verb where possible.
  • 3) Negative Questions – Add “Nach” before the verb, and úrú (eclipse) the initial consonant in the verb where possible.If the verb begins in a vowel, add “n-” in front of the vowel.

*Note: These endings are followed by specific pronouns (sé, sí, muid and sibh) or by personal names. The rest are combined forms and the pronoun is dropped. Example: “Bhuailinn” (I used to strike) already contains the subject.

Please refer to the samplaí (examples) in the chart below.