Subjunctive Mood

[Rosie]

Ok, I’ve been conjugating the verb “abair” for some flashcards, but I’m a little puzzled by subjunctive mood: on teanglann.ie’s Grammar Wizard tab, it lists only one tense (present?) for subjunctive mood (go ndeire mé/nár deire mé—go ndeire tú/nár deire tú—etc…), but I also have the Briathra na Gaeilge app, which lists subjuntive versions for ALL tenses ([color=blue]NONE[/color] of which match teanglann’s version🤔)..e.g. “go ndeirim/nach deirim, go ndéirfaidh mé/nach ndéarfaidh, etc.”…so…I guess I’m asking [color=purple]ARE[/color] there subjunctives for all tenses? And, in the present tense, which version is correct? 🤦🏻‍♀️ Thanks!🤞🏼

[Onuvanja]

There are two subjunctive tenses in Irish: present subjunctive and past subjunctive. The present subjunctive forms provided by teanglann.ie are correct, the other ones make no sense at all. 🙂 In fact, the past subjunctive forms are the same as those for past conditional (except that the verb remains unlenited, e.g. ‘molainn’ vs ‘mholainn’), so that’s maybe why teanglann.ie doesn’t include them? In general, the subjunctive tenses aren’t used very frequently, especially in spoken Irish.

[Rosie]

Ok, thanks! I figured I could trust teanglann.ie!👍🏼 And it’s also good to hear that it’s a form not often used. I really appreciate it.

[Lughaidh]

There are two subjunctive tenses in Irish: present subjunctive and past subjunctive. The present subjunctive forms provided by teanglann.ie are correct, the other ones make no sense at all. smile In fact, the past subjunctive forms are the same as those for past conditional

maybe you meant “past habitual”; past conditional doesn’t exist in Irish.

(except that the verb remains unlenited, e.g. ‘molainn’ vs ‘mholainn’),

it remains unlenited because it’s preceded by verbal particles that eclipse 🙂

so that’s maybe why teanglann.ie doesn’t include them? In general, the subjunctive tenses aren’t used very frequently, especially in spoken Irish.

they are used in prayers and wishes: go n-éirí leat! go raibh maith agat! go ndéana(idh) Dia trócaire! etc.
Also in sentences like “fan go bhfeice mé”.
But they are set phrases in general.

The past sujunctive can be used instead of the conditional after dá, there’s no difference in meaning. But the past subjunctive is more literary and old fashioned.
Also I always wondered why it’s called past subjunctive, it’s not past nor subjunctive. It should be called “conditional 2” 😀

[Labhrás]

Also I always wondered why it’s called past subjunctive, it’s not past nor subjunctive. It should be called “conditional 2” 😀

It is used instead of present subjunctive in the past

present subjunctive -> past subjunctive
Fan go dtaga mé -> D’fhan sé go dtagainn.
Imeoidh mé sula bhfeice sé mé -> D’imigh mé sula bhfeiceadh sé mé.

[Mártan Ó G]

Interesting topic. The subjunctive isn’t generally addressed in learning material and remains a dark area for me. Sentences like this…

Béidh sé tamall fada sul a raibh an ghlac chairrgín a chruinnigheamar indíolta má thigeann mórán eile den droch-uair.

…from Pádhraic Mháire Bháin puzzled me at first.

In an old book called Foghraidheacht na Gaedhilge I found these sentences:

Fan go raibh Seán annseo (Connachta Thuaidh 7 Ulaidh)
Fan go mbídh Seán annseo (Connachta Theas)
Fan go mbéidh Seán annso (Mumha)

Do these reflect current usage? I think I’ve most often heard the Munster usage.

[Rosie]

Thanks, ya’ll. 👍🏼

[Author]

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