This will extend the use of the present continuous to include transitive verbs,
so the syntax can be learned from the start. The syntax is more challenging, so
fewer verbal nouns will be used. This way focus can be directed on to basic stucture.
Foghlaim (Learn)
ag + verbal noun
ag ithe, eating
ag ól, drinking
ag cur, putting
ag briseadh, breaking
ag ithe aráin, eating bread
ag ól fíona, drinking wine
ag cur airgid, putting money
ag briseadh fuinneoige, breaking a window
Nouns:
a. Nominative singular b.Genitive Singular
a. arán, bread - b. aráin
a. brachán, porridge - b. bracháin
a. fíon, wine - b. fíona
a. airgead, money - b. airgid
a. fuinneog, window - b. fuinneoige
a. fearthainn, rain - b. fearthainne
Adverbs
anois, now
inniu, today
Verb: Tá - relative form 'atá'
Focal ceiste(Question word)
Cé? Who
Abairtíní(phrases)
sa bhosca, in the box
ar an tábla, on the table
Léigh (Read)
1. Tá Brian ag ithe aráin.
2. Tá Nóra ag ól fíona.
3. Tá Máire ag cur airgid sa bhosca.
4. Tá Seán ag briseadh fuinneoige, inniu.
5. Tá sé ag cur fearthainne, anois.
6. Tá Pól ag ithe bracháin.
Freagair(Answer)
1. Cé atá ag ithe bracháin?
2. Cé atá ag cur airgid sa bhosca?
3. Cé atá ag ól fíona?
4. Cé atá ag ithe aráin.
5. Cé atá ag briseadh fuinneoige.
English has more or less lost the genitive case. Instead it uses the preposition of to show the relationship.
So, what is going on in the Irish syntax, can be shown using this preposition noun structure, as follows:
ag ithe aráin = at eating of bread
ag ól fíona = at drinking of wine
ag briseadh fuinneoige - at breaking of (a) window
In earlier and dialect versions of English similar structures are encountered. And it should be noted that the words 'eating' 'drinking', 'breaking', are not pariciples(adjectives), but verbal nouns.
In English it is more idiomatic to put the definite article before the verbal noun like this:
a. He is at the breaking of a window.
b. He is at the eating of bread.
c. He is at the putting of money on the table.
Sentences like the above can be heard in Hiberno English.
NB. Irish has now indefinite article, as the English 'a/an'.
So fuinneog can mean window or a window.