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#Lesson11
1. The copula Is
(i-iii) Usage, Definite Noun as subject, é and í as subject
As mentioned in the book, it's generally used to link two nouns or a noun and a pronoun. So you wouldn't use it to say "I am hot" because you're linking a pronoun and an adjective. But you would use it to say "She is a woman", because you're linking a pronoun and an adjective.
As to how to form it, I'll just copy what I've seen on Duolingo several times:
V = verb
A = Indefinite nouns
N = Names
T = Definite nouns
P = Pronouns
That's your general order. If you use a definite noun, a proper noun, or a name, you need to include the pronoun (é, í, iad, srl - note, after ní, these prefix an "h") before the first one.
In the sentence 'the spider is an arachnid' you have and indefinite noun (araicnid) and a definite noun (an damhán alla). So, putting these in order (A before T), you get Is araicnid an damhán alla. However, you need the pronoun before the definite noun. Since damhán alla is feminine, you use í. This giving you Is araicnid í an damhán alla.
In 'Pól is the president of Ireland' you have a name (Pól) and a definite noun (uachtarán na hÉireann). So, putting those together, you get Is Pól uachtarán na hÉireann. Yet, you still need that pronoun. Is é Pól uachtarán na hÉireann.
(iv-v) Table of forms
Just look at the tables here.
(vi) Answers
Since he talked about definite noun phrases, that's what we'll still with answering. You basically repeat the pronoun with 'is', adjusted for correct person; this is never contrastive.
*Ab é an fear é* -- *Ní hé*
*Ar thusa an múinteoir* -- Is mé
(vii) Omission of the copula
Read his rules, but "Is" is often omitted in speech.
2. Use of the copula with adjective
(i) Certain adjectives
There's just a few adjectives that require "is". "Ionann" is one of these.
(ii) Exclamatory use
This is something I admit I was wrong about before, but the copula can be used with a limited number of adjectives for exclamatory use.
3. Numbers
These numbers must always have a noun with them. 2-6 lenite, and 7-10 cause eclipse. Generally the singular is used after a number, though see his list and notes for some exceptions to that. Perhaps the two most common exceptions are cinn and bliana, where cinn is used as a generic -- in Irish, to say "I have three", you have to say "Tá trí cinn 'am' -- and 'bliana' is, of course, used with age.
1. The copula Is
(i-iii) Usage, Definite Noun as subject, é and í as subject
As mentioned in the book, it's generally used to link two nouns or a noun and a pronoun. So you wouldn't use it to say "I am hot" because you're linking a pronoun and an adjective. But you would use it to say "She is a woman", because you're linking a pronoun and an adjective.
As to how to form it, I'll just copy what I've seen on Duolingo several times:
V = verb
A = Indefinite nouns
N = Names
T = Definite nouns
P = Pronouns
That's your general order. If you use a definite noun, a proper noun, or a name, you need to include the pronoun (é, í, iad, srl - note, after ní, these prefix an "h") before the first one.
In the sentence 'the spider is an arachnid' you have and indefinite noun (araicnid) and a definite noun (an damhán alla). So, putting these in order (A before T), you get Is araicnid an damhán alla. However, you need the pronoun before the definite noun. Since damhán alla is feminine, you use í. This giving you Is araicnid í an damhán alla.
In 'Pól is the president of Ireland' you have a name (Pól) and a definite noun (uachtarán na hÉireann). So, putting those together, you get Is Pól uachtarán na hÉireann. Yet, you still need that pronoun. Is é Pól uachtarán na hÉireann.
(iv-v) Table of forms
Just look at the tables here.
(vi) Answers
Since he talked about definite noun phrases, that's what we'll still with answering. You basically repeat the pronoun with 'is', adjusted for correct person; this is never contrastive.
*Ab é an fear é* -- *Ní hé*
*Ar thusa an múinteoir* -- Is mé
(vii) Omission of the copula
Read his rules, but "Is" is often omitted in speech.
2. Use of the copula with adjective
(i) Certain adjectives
There's just a few adjectives that require "is". "Ionann" is one of these.
(ii) Exclamatory use
This is something I admit I was wrong about before, but the copula can be used with a limited number of adjectives for exclamatory use.
3. Numbers
These numbers must always have a noun with them. 2-6 lenite, and 7-10 cause eclipse. Generally the singular is used after a number, though see his list and notes for some exceptions to that. Perhaps the two most common exceptions are cinn and bliana, where cinn is used as a generic -- in Irish, to say "I have three", you have to say "Tá trí cinn 'am' -- and 'bliana' is, of course, used with age.