11.1 General

11.1.1

A conjunction called the relative particle (affirmative: a, ar; negative: nach, nár) is used to link a main clause and a relative subordinate clause together.

11.1.2

The relative particle is placed before the verb in the subordinate clause. If the copula is in the subordinate clause, the relative particle is not used to link the main clause and the subordinate clause together, but the copula itself has a special form (see 11.8).

11.1.3

A distinction is made between a direct relative clause and an indirect relative clause (see 11.2 and 11.3).

11.1.4

The word or phrase in the main clause that comes directly before the relative particle is called the antecedent.

Cá bhfuil an madra a fuair sí?

Where is the dog that she got?

Eagraíodh cóisir dóibh siúd a chríochnaigh inniu.

A party was organized for those who finished today.

11.1.5

Pronominals (including possessive adjectives) that refer back to the antecedent in indirect relative clauses are called subsequents.

Tabhair sin don bhuachaill a bhfuil slaghdán air.

Give that to the boy who has a cold (on him).

Nach ise an bhean a mbíodh teach ósta aici?

Isn’t she the woman who used to have a pub (at her)?

11.2 The Direct Relative Clause

11.2.1

A direct relative clause is involved in the following contexts. There are no subsequents in a direct relative clause —

if the antecedent is the subject of the verb in the relative clause:

Phóg an bhean sin Gearóid.

That woman kissed Gearóid.

→ Sin í an bhean a phóg Gearóid.

→ She is the woman who kissed Gearóid.

Bhuail carr úrnua an leoraí.

A brand-new car hit the lorry.

→ Ba charr úrnua an carr a bhuail an leoraí.

→ The brand-new car is the car that hit the lorry.

Socróidh an fear sin an cluiche.

That man will settle the game.

→ Sin é an fear a shocróidh an cluiche.

→ He is the man who will settle the game.

Bíonn an bhean sin ar an teilifís.

That woman is on television.

→ Sin í an bhean a bhíonn ar an teilifís.

→ She is the woman who is on television.

if the antecedent is the direct object of the verb in the relative clause:

Phóg Gearóid an bhean sin.

Gearóid kissed that woman.

→ Sin í an bhean a phóg Gearóid.

→ She is the woman whom Gearóid kissed.

Bhuail an leoraí carr úrnua.

The lorry hit a brand-new car.

→ Ba charr úrnua an carr a bhuail an leoraí.

→ The brand-new car is the car that the lorry hit.

Chum an fear an dán sin.

The man composed that poem.

→ Sin é an dán a chum an fear.

→ That is the poem that the man composed.

Ceannóidh an teaghlach an teach sin.

The family will buy that house.

→ Sin é an teach a cheannóidh an teaghlach.

→ That is the house that the family will buy.

Note: As is clear from (a) and (b) above, the sentences: Sin í an bhean a phóg Gearóid; Ba charr úrnua an carr a bhuail an leoraí are ambiguous. In each context, the antecedent could be either the subject or the direct object of the verb in the relative clause. It is preferable to use an indirect relative clause in such contexts if ambiguity needs to be avoided (see 11.3.1(a) below). The sentence sin é an dán a chum an fear is not ambiguous because the antecedent (an dán) could not be the subject of the verb.

if the antecedent is the object of a verbal noun (direct object or a (possessive adjective)) in the relative clause:

Sin (é) an leabhar. Tá sé á léamh aige.

That is the book. He is reading it.

→ Sin (é) an leabhar atá á léamh aige.

→ That is the book that he is reading.

Cheannaigh sí an gúna. Bhí mé á iarraidh.

She bought the dress. I was wanting it.

→ Cheannaigh sí an gúna a bhí mé a iarraidh.

→ She bought the dress that I was wanting.

Note: A direct relative clause of the type used in the second example above can also be used for the first example, e.g., Sin (é) an leabhar a bhí sé a léamh. Similarly: Sin an cineál cairr atá á thiomáint aige; Sin an cineál cairr atá sé a thiomáint.

if the temporal adverb uair or the conjunction nuair is the antecedent:

Inseoidh mé an scéal duit nuair a bheidh deis agam.

I will tell you the story when I have the opportunity. (Lit. when the opportunity will be at me.)

An cuimhin leat an uair a chuamar go dtí an Spáinn?

Do you remember the time when we went to Spain?

if a temporal adverb such as an tráth (EN: the time), an mhaidin (EN: the morning), an dáta (EN: the date), an oíche (EN: the night), an t‑am (EN: the time), etc. is the antecedent:

An bhfuil a fhios agat cén tráth a fhoilseofar é?

Do you know the time when it will be published?

An cuimhin leat an lá a thit an crann?

Do you remember the day when the tree fell?

Note: An indirect relative clause can be used instead of the direct relative clause for those temporal adverbs, e.g., An bhfuil a fhios agat cén tráth a bhfoilseofar é?; An cuimhin leat an lá ar thit an crann? (see 11.3.1(g)).

if the antecedent is a simple preposition, a compound preposition, a prepositional pronominal or a prepositional phrase brought to the front along with the copula before it for emphasis (see 11.8.4):

Déanfar an obair de réir a chéile.

The work will be done gradually.

→ Is de réir a chéile a dhéanfar an obair.

→ It is gradually that the work will be done.

Shábháil mé an t‑airgead sa chomhar creidmheasa.

I saved the money in the credit union.

→ Is sa chomhar creidmheasa a shábháil mé an t‑airgead.

→ It is in the credit union that I saved the money.

Bíonn sé ag labhairt thar ceann an pholaiteora.

He is speaking on behalf of the politician.

→ Is thar ceann an pholaiteora a bhíonn sé ag labhairt.

→ It is on behalf of the politician that he is speaking.

Fuair mé an bronntanas uaidh.

I got the gift from him.

→ Is uaidh a fuair mé an bronntanas.

→ It is from him that I got the gift.

11.3 The Indirect Relative Clause

11.3.1

An indirect relative clause is involved in the following contexts. Subsequents in the indirect relative clause refer to the antecedent in the main clause. An indirect relative clause is used —

to avoid ambiguity when the antecedent is the direct object of the verb in the relative clause (see 11.2.1(b) above):

Phóg Gearóid an bhean sin.

Gearóid kissed that woman.

→ Sin í an bhean ar phóg Gearóid í.

→ It is that woman whom Gearóid kissed.

Buailfidh an sliotar an fear sin.

The hurley ball will hit that man.

→ Sin é an fear a mbuailfidh an sliotar é.

→ It is that man whom the hurley ball will hit.

Chaill an cailín a cóta nua.

The girl lost her new coat.

→ Ba chóta nua an cóta ar chaill an cailín é.

→ It is a new coat that the girl lost.

if the antecedent is the object of a verbal noun in the relative clause:

Cheannaigh sí an gúna. Bhí mé ag iarraidh é a fháil.

She bought the dress. I was trying to get it.

→ Cheannaigh sí an gúna a raibh mé ag iarraidh é a fháil.

→ She bought the dress that I was trying to get.

Dhíol siad an chathaoir. Bhí mé ag moladh í a choimeád.

They sold the chair. I was recommending keeping it.

→ Dhíol siad an chathaoir a raibh mé ag moladh í a choimeád.

→ They sold the chair that I was recommending keeping.

Note: A direct relative clause of the following type can also be used for (b) above, e.g., Cheannaigh sí an gúna a bhí mé ag iarraidh a fháil; Dhíol siad an chathaoir a bhí mé ag moladh a choimeád (see 11.2.1(c)).

when the antecedent is the indirect object of the verb in the relative clause:

Cuireadh an t‑agallamh ar an mbean sin.

The interview was put on that woman.

→ Sin í an bhean ar cuireadh an t‑agallamh uirthi.

→ It is that woman on whom the interview was put.

Ceannaím éadaí ón bhfear sin.

I buy clothes from that man.

→ Sin é an fear a gceannaím éadaí uaidh.

→ It is that man from whom I buy clothes.

Déantar tagairt don leabhar sa chlár.

Reference is made to the book in the program.

→ Sin é an leabhar a ndéantar tagairt dó sa chlár.

→ It is that book to which reference is made in the program.

Rinneadh ráiteas thar ceann an chomhlachta sin.

A statement was made on behalf of that company.

→ Sin é an comhlacht a ndearnadh ráiteas thar a cheann.

→ It is that company on behalf of which a statement was made.

Cuireadh iarratas ar chead pleanála isteach i leith an fhoirgnimh.

An application for planning permission was submitted in respect of the building.

→ Sin é an foirgneamh ar cuireadh iarratas ar chead pleanála isteach ina leith.

→ It is that building in respect of which an application for planning permission was submitted.

Note:

When a simple preposition (as, de, do, etc.) links the verb to the indirect object, the preposition can be brought to the front before the relative particle. A compound is then formed between the prepositions de, do, faoi, i, le, ó and trí and the relative particles a and ar, respectively (see 11.6.1(c)).

Cuireadh an t‑agallamh ar an mbean sin.

The interview was put on that woman.

→ Sin í an bhean ar ar cuireadh an t‑agallamh.

→ It is that woman on whom the interview was put.

Ceannaím éadaí ón bhfear sin.

I buy clothes from that man.

→ Sin é an fear óna gceannaím éadaí.

→ It is that man from whom I buy clothes.

Déantar tagairt don leabhar sa chlár.

Reference is made to the book in the program.

→ Sin é an leabhar dá ndéantar tagairt sa chlár.

→ It is that book to which reference is made in the program.

When a compound preposition (ar son, i leith, etc.) links the verb to the indirect object, the compound preposition can be brought to the front. (Unlike (i) above, when a compound preposition is brought to the front, the following verbal clause is a direct relative clause.)

Rinneadh an ráiteas thar ceann an chomhlachta sin.

A statement was made on behalf of that company.

→ Sin é an comhlacht ar thar a cheann a rinneadh an ráiteas.

→ It is that company on behalf of which the statement was made.

Cuireadh iarratas ar chead pleanála isteach i leith an fhoirgnimh.

An application for planning permission was submitted in respect of the building.

→ Sin é an foirgneamh ar ina leith a cuireadh iarratas ar chead pleanála isteach.

→ It is that building in respect of which an application for planning permission was submitted.

when there is a genitive link between the antecedent and a noun or object (direct or indirect) of the verb in the relative clause. In that context, the subsequent is a possessive adjective:

Bhí iníon na mná sin ar an teilifís aréir.

The daughter of that woman was on television last night.

→ Sin í an bhean a raibh a hiníon ar an teilifís aréir.

→ It is that woman whose daughter was on television last night.

Ghoid an gadaí carr na mná óige.

The thief stole the young woman’s car.

→ Ba bhean óg an bhean ar ghoid an gadaí a carr.

→ She is the young woman whose car was stolen by the thief.

Cuireadh agallamh ar mhac an fhir sin.

An interview was put on that man’s son.

→ Sin é an fear ar cuireadh agallamh ar a mhac.

→ It is that man on whom an interview was put.

if the antecedent is referred to in a verbal clause that is subordinate to the verb in the relative clause:

Cheap mé nach n‑inseodh an duine sin an fhírinne choíche.

I thought that that person would never tell the truth.

→ Ba dhuine é ar cheap mé nach n‑inseodh sé an fhírinne choíche.

→ He was that person whom I thought would never tell the truth.

Sílim go bhfaca mé iníon na mná sin ar an teilifís aréir.

I think I saw that woman’s daughter on television last night.

→ Sin í an bhean a sílim go bhfaca mé a hiníon ar an teilifís aréir.

→ It is that woman whom I think I saw her daughter on television last night.

Creideann an t‑oifigeach gur cuireadh iarratas ar chead pleanála isteach i leith an fhoirgnimh sin.

The officer believes that an application for planning permission was submitted in respect of that building.

→ Sin é an foirgneamh a gcreideann an t‑oifigeach gur cuireadh iarratas ar chead pleanála isteach ina leith.

→ It is that building which the officer believes an application for planning permission was submitted in respect of.

Teastaíonn uainn fál a thógáil idir an pháirc sin agus an bóthar.

We want to build a fence between that field and the road.

→ Sin í an pháirc a dteastaíonn uainn fál a thógáil idir í agus an bóthar.

→ It is that field which we want to build a fence between it and the road.

Note: See also the explanation of parenthetical clauses in 11.4, e.g., Ba dhuine í a cheap mé a chonaic mé cheana (EN: She was the person whom I thought I had seen before).

for interrogative pronominals such as cé, cad (é), etc. when a simple preposition, a compound preposition or a prepositional pronominal is brought to the front of the sentence so that it comes directly before the interrogative pronominal:

Cé hé + is ina aghaidh a bheidh sibh ag imirt.

Who is it + you will be playing against him.

→ Cé ina aghaidh a mbeidh sibh ag imirt?

→ Who is he who you will be playing against?

Cad (é) + is ina thaobh a rinne tú sin.

What + you did that on his side.

→ Cad (é) ina thaobh a ndearna tú sin?

→ For what did you do that?

Cé hé + is leis a bhí tú ag caint.

Who is it + you were talking to him.

→ Cé leis a raibh tú ag caint?

→ Who was it to whom you were talking?

when a temporal adverb such as an tráth, an t‑am, etc. is the antecedent, an indirect relative clause can be used instead of a direct relative clause (a direct relative clause is always used after nuair and uair, see 11.2.1(d)):

An bhfuil a fhios agat cén tráth a bhfoilseofar é?

Do you know the time when it will be published?

An cuimhin leat an lá ar thit an crann?

Do you remember the day when the tree fell?

Note: A direct relative clause can also be used instead of an indirect relative clause for temporal adverbs, e.g., An bhfuil a fhios agat cén tráth a fhoilseofar é?; An cuimhin leat an lá a thit an crann? (see 11.2.1(e)).

if one of the words áit (EN: place), bealach (EN: way), caoi (EN: manner), cúis (EN: reason), dóigh (EN: manner), fáth (EN: reason), réasún (EN: reason), slí (EN: way) or treo (EN: direction) (or a word with the same meaning) is the antecedent and it is functioning as an adverb qualifying the verb in the relative clause:

Sin é an tslí a ndearnadh é.

That is the way in which it was done.

Cén chaoi a bhfuil tú?

How are you?

Cad é an dóigh ar briseadh é?

What is the way in which it was broken?

Sin é an chúis ar tháinig mé.

That is the reason why I came.

Cén fáth ar imigh siad?

Why did they leave?

Cé na háiteanna a ndeachaigh sibh?

Which places did you go to?

Note: A direct clause must be used in sentences where such a word is the direct object of the verb, as in the following: Seo an áit is deise (EN: This is the nicest place); Cad é an áit a cheannaigh sé? (EN: What is the place that he bought?); Ar chuala tú an fáth a thug sí? (EN: Did you hear the reason why she gave it?); An maith leat an chaoi atáim a chur ar an seomra? (EN: Do you like the way I arranged the room?)

when mar is functioning as an adverb with the meaning of áit (EN: place):

Sin an leabharlann dhigiteach nua, mar a gcuirtear áiseanna taighde ar fáil do mhic léinn.

That is the new digital library, where research facilities are provided for students.

Gheobhaidh tú san oifig í, mar a mbíonn sí gach oíche.

You will find her in the office, where she is every night.

Ceadófar achomhairc a dhéanamh, ach amháin mar a bhforáiltear a mhalairt.

Appeals will be allowed, except where the contrary is provided.

But if mar is used as a conjunction, it is followed by a direct relative clause, e.g., Sin mar atá cúrsaí (EN: That’s how things are).

11.4 The Parenthetical Clause

11.4.1

A parenthetical clause is a clause that provides information about the clause that follows it without interrupting the structure of the sentence. If the parenthetical clause is removed from the sentence, it remains intact in terms of sense and grammar.

11.4.2

Verbs used to express opinion or speech, e.g., abair (EN: say), ceap (EN: think), maígh (EN: claim), síl (EN: think), etc., are most commonly found in parenthetical clauses.

Note: See also 11.3.1(e) for an explanation of contexts where the antecedent is referred to in a verbal clause that is subordinate to the verb in the relative clause, e.g., Ba dhuine é ar cheap mé nach n‑inseodh sé an fhírinne choíche (EN: He was a person whom I thought would never tell the truth).

11.4.3

The parenthetical clause is a direct clause, but the clause it refers to can be either direct or indirect depending on the structure of the sentence.

**Table 11A** The Parenthetical Clause
The Parenthetical Clause
The second clause in a direct relative clause	The second clause in an indirect relative clause
Ba dhuine í a cheap mé a chonaic mé cheana. (EN: She was the person whom I thought* I had seen before.*)	Cén fáth a cheapann tú a ndeachaigh siad ann? (EN: Why do you think they went* there?*)
Cad a shíleann tú a tharlóidh di? (EN: What do you think* will happen to her?*)	Cén chaoi is dóigh leat ar tharla a leithéid? (EN: How do you think* such a thing happened?*)
Chaith sé éadaí nár mheas mé a chaithfeadh sé go deo. (EN: He wore clothes that I didn’t think* he would ever wear.*)	Cén dóigh a mheasann tú a ndéanfar an obair sin? (EN: How do you think* that work will be done?*)

Note: A direct or indirect clause can be used in some contexts, e.g., Fuair mé é in áit ar mheas mé a gheobhainn é (EN: I got it in a place where I thought I would get it) rather than Fuair mé é in áit a mheas mé a bhfaighinn é.

11.5 The Comparative Degree Clause

11.5.1

A clause following the copula and an adjective in the comparative degree is a comparative degree clause. If the comparative degree clause is removed from the sentence, it remains intact in terms of sense and grammar.

11.5.2

The comparative degree clause is a direct clause, but the clause it refers to can be either direct or indirect depending on the structure of the sentence.

**Table 11B** The Comparative Degree Clause
The Comparative Degree Clause
The second clause in a direct relative clause	The second clause in an indirect relative clause
Sin (iad) na ceisteanna is minice a chuirtear. (EN: Those are the questions that are asked most often.)	Is í an tUachtarán an duine is cáiliúla ar bhuail mé léi. (EN: She is the most famous* person I have met.*)
Ba é an rud ba mhó é a theastaigh uaithi. (EN: It was the thing that she wanted most.)	Cá háit is fusa a n‑eagrófar an cheolchoirm? (EN: Where is it easiest* to organize the concert?*)
Sin (é) an t‑amhrán is fearr a thaitin liom. (EN: That is the song I liked best.)	Is é sin an chaoi is gasta a ndéanfar é. (EN: That is the way it will be done fastest.)

Note: A parenthetical clause and a comparative degree clause can be in the same sentence, e.g., Ba é an banna ceoil ba cháiliúla a shíleann sé a bhainistigh an gnólacht sin riamh (EN: It was the most famous band that he thought ever managed that company).

11.6 The Relative Particle — Forms

11.6.1 The Affirmative Relative Particle

The Direct Relative Clause

If it is a direct relative clause, a is the form of the relative particle used before regular and irregular verbs in all tenses (except in the present tense of the verb bí — see (ii) below). The verb is lenited after the direct relative particle a except when it is an autonomous verb in the past tense (but see 11.7.1(b)).

Sin é an stáisiún raidió a chraolann cláir do leanaí.

That is the radio station that broadcasts programs for children.

Cén uair a chraolfar an clár?

When will the program be broadcast?

D’éirigh leo stáisiún raidió a chraolfadh popcheol a bhunú.

They managed to establish a radio station that would broadcast pop music.

Nach í sin an tsraith a chraoltaí gach maidin?

Isn’t that the series that is broadcast every morning?

Is é sin an clár a chraol siad inné.

That is the program that they broadcast yesterday.

An í sin an bhean a théann go dtí na cluichí go léir?

Is that the woman who goes to all the matches?

Sin é an bus a rachaidh go dtí an staid pheile.

That is the bus that will go to the football stadium.

Sin í an bhean a rachadh go dtí an cluiche dá bhféadfadh sí.

That is the woman who would go to the match if she could.

Nach é sin an fear a théadh go dtí na cluichí go léir?

Is that not the man who would go to all the matches?

Sin í an bhean a chuaigh go dtí an staid pheile.

That is the woman who went to the football stadium.

A compound is made between the relative particle a and the independent present tense form of the verb bí to create the forms atá, atáim, atáimid.

Sin iad na leabhair atá á n‑iarraidh agam.

Those are the books that I am asking for.

Seo iad na héadaí atáim a cheannach.

These are the clothes that I am buying.

Sin é an ní atáimid chun a dhíol.

That is the thing that we are going to sell.

The Indirect Relative Clause

If it is an indirect relative clause, a is used before regular and irregular verbs in all tenses except in the past tense (but see (iii) below). The verb is eclipsed after the indirect relative particle a.

Sin é an clár a gcraolann an stáisiún raidió é.

That is the program that the radio station broadcasts.

Cá háit a gcraolfar an clár?

Where is it that the program be broadcast?

Cad chuige a gcraolfadh an stáisiún raidió popcheol?

Why is it that the radio station would broadcast pop music?

Is sraith í a gcraoltaí clár dá cuid gach maidin.

It is a series that broadcasts a program of its own every morning.

An í sin an bhean a dtéann a hiníon go dtí na cluichí go léir?

Is that the woman who her daughter goes to all the matches?

Sin é an fear a rachaidh a mhac go dtí an staid pheile.

That is the man who his son will go to the football stadium.

Sin í an bhean a rachadh a hiníon go dtí an cluiche dá bhféadfadh sí.

That is the woman who her daughter would go to the match if she could.

Nach é sin an fear a dtéadh a pháistí go dtí na cluichí go léir?

Is that not the man who his children would go to all the matches?

Sin é an ní a bhfuilimid chun é a dhíol.

That is the thing that we are going to sell.

In the past tense, ar is the form of the relative particle used before regular verbs and before the irregular verbs beir, clois/cluin, ith, tabhair and tar.

Sin é an clár ar chraol an stáisiún raidió é.

That is the program that the radio station broadcast.

Cheannaigh mé leabhar nua ar mhol an léirmheastóir é.

I bought a new book that the reviewer recommended.

Bhuail mé le fear ar chum a mhac amhráin Ghaeilge.

I met a man whose son composed Irish songs.

Sin í an bhean ar cheannaigh mé na héadaí uaithi.

That is the woman from whom I bought the clothes.

Céard a tharla don duine ar rug tú greim air?

What happened to the person whom you caught?

Tá an scannán ar chuala mé faoi ar taispeáint sa phictiúrlann.

The movie that I heard about is showing in the cinema.

Cá bhfuil an bhean ar bronnadh céim uirthi?

Where is the woman who was awarded a degree?

An raibh ionadh ar an mbean ar tháinig a mac abhaile ón Astráil?

Was the woman surprised when her son came home from Australia?

In the past tense, a is the form of the relative particle used before the irregular verbs abair, bí, déan, faigh, feic and téigh.

Dar liom gurb é sin an fear a ndúradh linn é a leanúint.

I think that is the man who we were told to follow.

Tá aithne agam ar an mbean a raibh a hiníon ar an teilifís.

I know the woman whose daughter was on television.

Arbh é sin an leabhar a ndearnadh tagairt dó?

Was that the book that was referred to?

Sin é an múinteoir a bhfuair mé litir uaidh.

That is the teacher from whom I received a letter.

Nach í sin an bhean a bhfaca an fear í?

Is that not the woman whom the man saw?

D’fhill mé ar an áit a ndeachaigh mé fadó.

I returned to the place where I went long ago.

Fused Forms

A compound is made between the prepositions de, do, faoi, i, le, ó and trí and the relative particles a and ar, respectively, as outlined below (see also 11.3.1(c)(i)). Note that a compound cannot be made between the preposition and the negative relative particles.

**Table 11C** Fused Forms — Prepositions with the Relative Particles a and ar
Preposition	+ relative particle a	+ relative particle ar
de	dá	dár
do	dá	dár
faoi	faoina	faoinar
i	ina	inar
le	lena	lenar
ó	óna	ónar
trí	trína	trínar

11.6.2 The Negative Relative Particle

The Direct and Indirect Relative Clause

In direct and indirect negative clauses, nach is the form of the relative particle corresponding to a before regular and irregular verbs, except in the past tense (see (iii) below).

Is duine é nach nglacann comhairle.

He is a person who does not take advice.

Sin é an stáisiún nach gcraoladh an clár.

That is the station that did not broadcast the program.

Sin é an clár nach gcraolfadh an stáisiún raidió é.

That is the program that the radio station would not broadcast.

Is í sin an bhean nach nglacfaidh a hiníon dea-chomhairle.

She is the woman who her daughter will not take good advice.

Sin é an fear nach gceannaínn aon earraí uaidh.

That is the man who would not buy any goods from him.

An í sin an cháis nach n‑íosfadh an fear?

Is that the case that the man would not accept?

Sin í an bhean nach dtagann a mac abhaile gach bliain.

That is the woman whose son does not come home every year.

In the past tense, nár corresponds to both a and ar for regular verbs and the irregular verbs beir, clois/cluin, ith, tabhair and tar.

Ba dhuine é nár ghlac comhairle.

He was a person who did not take advice.

Sin é an stáisiún nár chraol an clár.

That is the station that did not broadcast the program.

Sin é an clár nár chraol an stáisiún é.

That is the program that the radio station did not broadcast.

Is í sin an bhean nár ghlac a hiníon dea-chomhairle.

That is the woman whose daughter did not take good advice.

Sin é an fear nár cheannaigh mé aon earraí uaidh.

That is the man who I did not buy any goods from.

Céard a tharla don duine nár rug tú greim air?

What happened to the person who you did not catch?

Tá scannán nár chuala mé trácht air ar siúl sa phictiúrlann anocht.

There is a movie that I did not hear mentioned as playing in the cinema tonight.

Ar chaith tú amach an bia nár ith an madra?

Did you throw away the food that the dog did not eat?

Sin an bhean nár thug mé leabhar di.

That is the woman to whom I did not give a book.

An bhfuil aon duine nár tháinig abhaile ón gceolchoirm fós?

Is there anyone who has still not come home from the concert?

In the past tense, nach corresponds to a for the irregular verbs abair, bí, déan, faigh, feic and téigh.

Is rud é nach ndúirt mé riamh.

It is a thing that I never said.

An í sin an bhean nach raibh a hiníon i láthair?

Is that the woman whose daughter was not present?

Cad a dhéanfar faoin obair nach ndearnadh?

What will be done about the work that was not done?

Sin é an múinteoir nach bhfuair mé litir uaidh.

That is the teacher from whom I did not receive a letter.

Sin í an bhean nach bhfaca an dochtúir í.

That is the woman whom the doctor did not see.

Cad a rinne sibh an uair sin nach ndeachaigh sibh ar saoire?

What did you do that time when you did not go on holiday?

11.7 The Verb in Relative Clauses

11.7.1 The Verb — The Direct Affirmative Relative Clause

The independent form of the verb is used after the direct relative particle a in direct affirmative relative clauses.

An bhfaca tú an cóta nua a fuair mé?

Did you see the new coat that I got?

An é sin an fear a théadh go dtí na cluichí go léir?

Is that the man who went to all the games?

The verb (except abair) is lenited in the present and future tenses (but see 11.6.1(a)(ii)).

Sin é an sliotar a bhuaileann sí gach maidin.

That is the hurley ball that she hits every morning.

Sin é an sliotar a bhuailfear le linn an chluiche.

That is the hurley ball that will be hit during the game.

Note that the autonomous verb is lenited where the other forms of the verb are lenited, e.g., na héadaí a cheannaítear (a cheannófar, a cheannaítí) (EN: the clothes that are bought (will be bought, have been bought)) except in the past tense, e.g., na héadaí a ceannaíodh (EN: the clothes that were bought). The independent autonomous verb is only lenited in the past tense for chonacthas, chualathas, chuathas and thángthas.

11.7.2 The Verb — The Indirect Affirmative Relative Clause

The dependent form of the verb is used after the relative particles ar and a in indirect affirmative relative clauses.

The dependent form of the verb is lenited after the relative particle ar (except for the autonomous verb in the past tense, e.g., ar goideadh; ar buaileadh).

Sin é an sliotar ar bhuail an bhean é.

That is the hurley ball that the woman hit.

Sin í an bhean ar ghoid an gadaí a carr.

That is the woman from whom the thief stole the car.

The dependent form of the verb is eclipsed after the relative particle a.

Sin é an ríomhaire a n‑úsáideann an bhean é le haghaidh na hoibre.

That is the computer that the woman uses for work.

Sin í an bhean a gceannóidh an buachaill a carr.

That is the woman from whom the boy will buy a car.

An í sin an cailín a ndeachaigh a madra amú uirthi?

Is that the girl whose dog went missing?

Cá ndeachaigh an fear a bhfaca mé a mhac ag dul isteach san fhoirgneamh?

Where did the man whose son I saw going into the building go?

11.7.3 The Verb — The Direct and Indirect Negative Relative Clause

The dependent form of the verb is used after the relative particles nach and nár in direct and indirect negative relative clauses.

The dependent form of the verb is eclipsed after nach.

Sin é an sliotar nach mbuaileann an bhean.

That is the hurley ball that the woman does not hit.

Sin é an gaothscáth nach mbrisfidh an buachaill.

That is the windscreen that the boy will not break.

Sin é an sliotar nach mbuaileann an bhean é.

That is the hurley ball that the woman does not hit.

Sin í an bhean nach gceannóidh an buachaill a carr.

That is the woman from whom the boy will not buy a car.

The dependent form of the verb is lenited after nár except for the autonomous verb in the past tense, e.g., nár ceannaíodh; nár blaiseadh.

Sin é an sliotar nár bhuail an bhean.

That is the hurley ball that the woman did not hit.

Sin é an gaothscáth nár bhris an buachaill.

That is the windscreen that the boy did not break.

Sin é an sliotar nár bhuail an bhean é.

That is the hurley ball that the woman did not hit.

Sin í an bhean nár cheannaigh an buachaill a carr.

That is the woman from whom the boy did not buy a car.

11.7.4 The Verb — The Relative Form

There is a special independent relative form of the verb in the present, habitual present and future tenses. This form can be used in the relative clause as an alternative to the separate forms of the verb, e.g., Sin é an chéad leabhar eile a bheas á léamh agam (EN: That is the next book that I will be reading); Céard a dhéanfas tú anois? (EN: What will you do now?)
The special independent relative form of the verb lean (EN: follow) is always used in phrases such as na focail seo a leanas (EN: the following words).

11.8 The Copula and the Relative Clause

11.8.1

Below are the forms of the copula used in relative clauses (see also 7.2.3 and 7.2.4 for further information).

**Table 11D** Forms of the Copula in a Relative Clause
	Present and Future Tense		Past Tense, Habitual Past Tense and Conditional Mood
	before a consonant	before a vowel	before a consonant or before fh- + consonant	before a vowel or before fh- + vowel
Direct Affirmative	is		ba	ab
Indirect Affirmative	ar	arb	ar	arbh
Direct and Indirect Negative	nach		nár	nárbh

11.8.2

The forms ending in -b or -bh are used before a word beginning with a vowel or fh- before a vowel.

Ba í an bhean ab éirimiúla í.

She was the woman who was intelligent.

Is é sin an buachaill arb eol dó an freagra.

That is the boy who knows the answer.

Is í sin an cailín arbh aoibhinn léi an eolaíocht.

That is the girl who loves science.

Níor éist sé leis an ráiteas nárbh fhíor é.

He did not listen to the statement that it was true.

11.8.3

The lenited forms of the copula are followed in the past tense and the conditional mood.

Ba í ba bhainisteoir orthu.

She was the manager who they had.

Ba é an rud ab fhusa a dhéanamh é.

It was the thing that was easiest to do.

Is í sin an bhean ar mhór aici do chabhair.

That is the woman who values help greatly.

Níor tharla aon ní arbh fhiú trácht air.

Nothing happened that was worth mentioning.

Ní dhearna mé aon ní nár chuí liom.

I did nothing that was suitable for me.

11.8.4

Where the copula is used to emphasize a simple preposition, a compound preposition, a prepositional pronominal or a verbal phrase placed at the beginning, the second clause is a direct relative clause.

Is arú inné a tháinig siad abhaile.

It was yesterday that they came home.

Is ón gcomhar creidmheasa a fuair mé an t‑airgead.

It was from the credit union that I got the money.

Ba leis-sean a bhí mé ag caint.

It was with him that I was talking.

An ar an traein a chuaigh tú go Sligeach?

Was it on the train that you went to Sligo?

Is chun na Fraince a théann sé ar saoire.

It is to France that he goes on holiday.

Is de réir a chéile a dhéantar dul chun cinn.

It is gradually that progress is made.

11.8.5

A compound is made between the forms of the copula ar, arb and arbh and the prepositions de, do, faoi, i, le, ó and trí as outlined below (see also 7.3.2).

**Table 11E** Fused Forms — Prepositions with the Particles ar, *arb* and *arbh*
Preposition	+ the copula ar	+ the copula arb	+ the copula arbh
de/do	dar	darb	darbh
faoi	faoinar	faoinarb	faoinarbh
i	inar	inarb	inarbh
le	lenar	lenarb	lenarbh
ó	ónar	ónarb	ónarbh
trí	trínar	trínarb	trínarbh

11.9 The Relative Clause — Additional Examples

**Table 11F** Words and Phrases Followed by a Direct Relative Clause
Direct Relative	Example
cad	Cad a tharla? (EN: What happened?) Cad is brí leis sin? (EN: What does that mean?)
cathain	Cathain a fuair tú an carr nua? (EN: When did you get the new car?)
cá fhad, cén fhad*	Cá fhad a bhí sibh ann? (EN: How long were you there?) Cén fhad a mhair an cheolchoirm? (EN: How long did the concert last?)
cá mhéad, cé mhéad, cén méid	Cá mhéad leabhar atá agat? (EN: How many books do you have?) Cé mhéad a fuair tú mar íocaíocht? (EN: How much did you receive as payment?) Cén méid a chosnaíonn sé? (EN: How much does it cost?)
cé	Cé a bhí leat? (EN: Who was with you?)
cé acu, cibé acu	Cé acu mise nó tusa atá i gceist? (EN: Which one is meant, me or you?) Is cuma liom cé acu a rinne sé é nó nach ndearna. (EN: I don’t care which one did it or didn’t do it.) Beidh feidhm ag an socrú cibé acu atá sé sásta nó nach bhfuil. (EN: The arrangement will work whether he is willing or not.)
céard	Céard atá ar siúl agat? (EN: What are you doing?)
cá huair, cén uair	Cá huair a tháinig sí? (EN: When did she arrive?) Cén uair a chríochnóidh an scannán? (EN: When will the movie end?)
chomh + temporal adverb + is	Coimeádfar na sonraí sin chomh fada is a bheidh siad riachtanach. (EN: The details will be kept as long as they are necessary.) Cé chomh minic (is) a bhíonn cóisir agaibh sa teach? (EN: How often do you have parties at home?)
conas	Conas a dhéanann tú é? (EN: How do you do it?)
cad é mar, mar (conjunction)	Cad é mar a chuir tú aithne air? (EN: How did you get to know him?) Déan mar is ceart é. (EN: Do it properly.)
nuair	Cuirfidh mé scairt ort nuair a bheidh deis agam. (EN: I will call you when I have the opportunity.)

*an fhad is an established form. Fad is always a masculine noun.

**Table 11G** Words and Phrases Followed by an Indirect Relative Clause
Indirect Relative	Example
an áit, cá háit, cén áit	Sin an áit a raibh sé. (EN: That is the place where he was.) Cá háit a mbíonn na ranganna sin ar siúl? (EN: Where are those classes held?) Cén áit a ndeachaigh sibh ansin? (EN: Where did you go there?)
an chaoi, cén chaoi	Ba é sin an chaoi ar chuala mé faoi. (EN: That is the way I heard about it.) Cén chaoi ar tharla a leithéid? (EN: How did such a thing happen?)
an dóigh, cén dóigh	Sin an dóigh a bhfuil sé anois. (EN: That is the way it is now.) Cén dóigh a ndéantar an obair? (EN: How is the work done?)
an fáth, cén fáth	Is é sin an fáth a raibh áthas orm. (EN: That is the reason I was happy.) Cén fáth a gcuireann tú do chuid ama amú mar sin? (EN: Why do you waste your time like that?)
cad chuige	Cad chuige a ndearna tú sin? (EN: Why did you do that?)
cad ina thaobh	Cad ina thaobh ar inis tú bréag? (EN: In what respect did you lie?)
an tslí, cén tslí	Ní maith liom an tslí a bhfuil sé á chur i bhfeidhm. (EN: I don’t like the way it is being implemented.) Cén tslí a dtoghtar comhaltaí an tSeanaid? (EN: How are members of the Senate elected?)
a, ar (meaning an méid a, an méid ar); gach a, gach ar (meaning gach rud a, gach rud ar)	Ólann sé a dtuilleann sé. (EN: He drinks what he earns.) D’ól sé ar thuill sé. (EN: He drank what he earned.) Faigheann sí gach a bhfuil ag teastáil. (EN: She gets everything she needs.) Fuair sí gach ar theastaigh uaithi. (EN: She got everything she wanted.)
mar (meaning áit)	Chuaigh mé go dtí an siopa éadaí mar a ndíoltar geansaithe áille olla. (EN: I went to the clothing store where beautiful wool sweaters are sold.) Sin é teach m’aintín mar ar mhinic mo chuairt. (EN: That is my aunt’s house where I often visit.)

Chapter 11 | The Relative Clause