GRAMMAR

We continue with ways to use "le", meaning "with". This preposition may serve exactly as it does in English. Examples: tháinig séliom (HAW*nig shay* luhm), he came with me; chuaigh sílibh (K*OO-ig shee liv), she went with you. We will next look at four ways that differ from English.

Possession -- "I own it" - is one use. (Do not confuse "having" something with owning it. "Tácarr agam", I have a car, may not mean that you own it or possess title to it.)

Is liomé(is luhm ay*) means "I own it". Learn these examples: Céleis (kay* lesh) an carr seo? Whose car is this? Is liomsaé(is LUHM-suh ay*) It is mine. An leatsa (LAT-suh)é? Is it yours? Níliomsaé, ach le Seán; It's not mine, but Seán's. Is le Seáné; It's Seán's. Céleiséseo? Whose is this? An leis an bhfear seoé; Is it this man's? Níleisé, ach leis an gcailín (gah-LEEN) atása teach (TAHK*) sin; It's not, but it belongs to the girl who is in that house. Nach leatsaé? Isn't it yours? Níliomsa; it isn't mine.

Practice with objects near you. "Liomsa" and "leatsa" are merely emphatic forms of "liom" and "leat", said without raising the voice.

Liking -- "I like it" -- is another use. Is maith (mah) liomé; I like it. Nímaith leisé; he doesn't like it. An maith le Nóra an bhróg (vrohg) sin? Does Nora like that shoe? Nímaith leí(lay*); she doesn't. Nach maith leat an bord seo? Don't you like this table?

The verbal noun is handy here. An maith leat léamh (LAY*-uhv)? Do you like to read? Nímaith liom siúl (shool); I don't like walking. Is maith liom feoil a ithe (FYOH-il uh I-he); I like to eat meat. Nach maith le Seán litreacha a scríobh? (LI-trahk*-uh uh shkreev) Doesn't Seán like to write letters? Notice that the object, "feoil" or "litreacha", come ahead of the verbal noun.

Preferring -- "I prefer this" -- is a third use. It is very similar to the "liking" use, but with "fearr" instead of "maith". "Is fearr liomé" (is fahr luhm ay*); I prefer it. The word "fearr" has a slightly more rolled "r" than does "fear", man, and sometimes there is a trace of (y) sound in it as if it were (fyahr). Examples: An fearr leat an leabhar seo? Do you prefer this book? Nífearr leis siúl; he doesn't prefer walking. Is fearr leo léamh nácaint (keyent); they prefer reading to talking. Nach fearr le Seán bainne le té? Doesn't Seán prefer milk to tea? Céacu is fearr leat, bheith anseo no bheith abhaile? (kay* ah-KUH is fahr lat, ve un-SHUH noh ve uh-VWAHL-e) Which do you prefer, being here or being home? Céacu is fearr le Séamas, bainne nótea? Which does Séamus prefer, milk or tea?

Being able -- "I can" -- is a fourth use. The verbal noun can serve here, too. "Is féidir (FAY*-dir) liom an leabhar a léamh" means "I can read the book". The object is ahead of the verbal noun.

Study these examples: An féidir leat rince? Can you dance? Níféidir le Nóra méa thuiscint (HISH-kint); Nora can't understand me. Nach féidir leo snámh? (snaw*v) Can't they swim? Is féidir leis an mbuachail (MOO-uhk*-il)ésin a dhéanamh (YAY*N-uhv); the boy can do that.

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