An Aimsir Láithreach - The Present Tense (Junior Cert Irish): Revision Notes
📚Revision Notes
An Aimsir Láithreach - The Present Tense
'An aimsir láithreach' is the present tense. It tells us about an ongoing action.
Note
Remember! Verbs can be divided into two categories:
-
One syllable verbs
-
Two syllable verbs Within these categories, verbs are further broken down into:
-
Caol (Slender- i , e )
-
Leathan (Broad- a, o, u )
Note
Learning Outcomes: 5. Do you know the rules for conjugating a regular verb in the present tense?
- One syllable verbs, broad and slender
- Two syllable verbs, broad and slender
- Do you know how to form the negative form of a regular verb in the present tense?
- Do you know how to ask a question with a regular verb in the present tense?
One Syllable Verbs
Note
Rule: Take the one syllable verb. Add the appropriate ending.
Slender Verbs (Caol)
Endings: -im/-eann/-imid
| mé | -im |
|---|---|
| tú/sé/sí | -eann |
| sinn | -imid |
| sibh/siad | -eann |
Broad Verbs (Leathan)
Endings: -aim/-ann/-aimid
| mé | -aim |
|---|---|
| tú/sé/sí | -ann |
| sinn | -aimid |
| sibh/siad | -ann |
Negative Form: Ní + h
Question Form: An + urú
Verbs beginning with 'f': No additional element. Simply add appropriate ending.
Two Syllable Verbs
Note
Rule: If the verb ends in '-igh' or '-aigh', remove those letters. Add the appropriate ending. If the verb ends in, '-il', '-ir', '-in', or '-is', condense the second syllable and add the appropriate ending. We will explore examples of this below.
Slender Verbs (Caol)
Endings: -ím, -íonn, -ímid
| mé | -ím |
|---|---|
| tú/sé/sí | -íonn |
| sinn | -ímid |
| sibh/siad | -íonn |
Broad Verbs (Leathan)
Endings: -aím, -aíonn, -aímid
| mé | -aím |
|---|---|
| tú/sé/sí | -aíonn |
| sinn | -aimid |
| sibh/siad | -aíonn |
Negative Form: Ní + h
Question Form: An + urú
Verbs beginning with 'f': No additional element. Simply add appropriate ending.
One Syllable Verbs
Slender Verbs (Caol)
Endings: -im/-eann/-imid
Cuir - to put
Note that 'i' is the last vowel in the verb. This makes it a caol/slender verb.
| Cuirim | I put |
|---|---|
| Cuireann tú | You put |
| Cuireann sé | He puts |
| Cuireann sí | She puts |
| Cuirimid | We put |
| Cuireann sibh | You put (plural) |
| Cuireann siad | They put |
| Ní chuirim | I do not put |
| An gcuireann tú? | Do you put? |
Broad Verbs (Leathan)
Endings: -aim/-ann/-aimid
Dún - to close
Note that 'ú' is the last vowel in the verb. This makes it a leathan/broad verb.
| Dúnaim | I close |
|---|---|
| Dúnann tú | You close |
| Dúnann sé | He closes |
| Dúnann sí | She closes |
| Dúnaimid | We close |
| Dúnann sibh | You close (plural) |
| Dúnann siad | They close |
| Ní dhúnaim | I do not close |
| An ndúnann tú? | Do you close? |
Two Syllable Verbs
Slender Verbs (Caol)
Endings: -ím, -íonn, -ímid
Bailigh - to collect
Bailigh—> Bail..
| Bailím | I collect |
|---|---|
| Bailíonn tú | You collect |
| Bailíonn sé | He collects |
| Bailíonn sí | She collects |
| Bailímid | We collect |
| Bailíonn sibh | You collect (plural) |
| Bailíonn siad | They collect |
| Ní bhailím | I do not collect |
| An mbailíonn tu? | Do you collect? |
Broad Verbs (Leathan)
Endings: -aím, -aíonn, -aímid
Ceannaigh - to buy
Ceannaigh —> Ceann..
| Ceannaím | I buy |
|---|---|
| Ceannaíonn tú | You buy |
| Ceannaíonn sé | He buys |
| Ceannaíonn sí | She buys |
| Ceannaímid | We buy |
| Ceannaíonn sibh | You buy (plural) |
| Ceannaíonn siad | They buy |
| Ní cheannaím | I do not buy |
| An gceannaíonn tú? | Do you buy? |
Two Syllable Verb Ending in '-il', '-ir', '-in', or '-is'
- Condense the second syllable.
- Add the appropriate ending. Eitil - to fly
Eitil- Eitl.. (remove the -i)
| Eitlím | I fly |
|---|---|
| Eitlíonn tú | You fly |
| Eitlíonn sé | He flies |
| Eitlíonn sí | She flies |
| Eitlímid | We fly |
| Eitlíonn sibh | You fly (plural) |
| Eitlíonn siad | They fly |
| Ní eitlím | I do not fly |
| An eitlíonn tú? | Do you fly? |