Classification with Bí

The verb bí (to be) cannot connect a subject and a predicate noun in the same direct way as the copula is. When using bí for classification, a preposition is always required to link the subject to its role, state, or category. This page covers the most common prepositions used for this purpose.

Classification with i (in)

The preposition i (in) is frequently used in these constructions. The logic is that a person is “in” a particular state or “in” a certain role or function. There are a few common patterns.

Using i with a Possessive Pronoun

This is the most common structure. The pattern is i + possessive pronoun + predicate noun. The possessive pronoun always refers back to the subject of the sentence.

Tá mé i mo dhochtúir. (I am in my doctor.) “I am a doctor.”

Although the possessive pronoun makes the noun definite (e.g., i mo dhochtúir literally means “in my doctor”), the English translation uses the indefinite article “a”.

This structure forms a direct relative clause, even with the pronoun.

• an bhean atá ina dochtúir - the woman who is a doctor (literally, “the woman who is in her doctor”)

Using i with a Subject in a Relative Clause

This structure is often used for emphasis, making it stronger than a standard copula sentence or the possessive pronoun construction above. The pattern is [Predicate] atá i + [Subject].

Fear atá ionat. ([Is] a man who is in you.) “You are a man.”

This construction is a type of cleft sentence, where an initial copula (Is) is often omitted. It can also be used in definitions.

Is é atá sa ghaoth ná gluaiseacht chothrománach aeir. (Is it that is in the wind but a horizontal movement of air.) “Wind is a horizontal movement of air.”

Duine maith atá i bPádraig. (A good person that is in Pádraig.) “Pádraig is a good person.”

Ambiguity with ann

The word ann can be a prepositional pronoun (“in him”) or an adverb (“there”). This can lead to ambiguity in sentences describing a male person or a masculine noun.

Rí atá ann. can mean:

1. He is a king. (Classification, where ann = “in him”)
2. There is a king. (Existence, where ann = “there”)

For feminine subjects, this ambiguity does not exist because the prepositional pronoun is inti (“in her”).

• Bean atá inti. - She is a woman. (Classification)
• Banríon atá inti. - She is a queen. (Classification)

However, when describing existence, ann is always used, regardless of the gender of the noun.

• Banríon atá ann. - There is a queen. (Existence)

The adverbial ann (“there”) can also appear in a standard non-relative clause.

• Tá rí ann. - There is a king.
• Tá banríon ann. - There is a queen.

Using i in “Only” Sentences

The structure i + subject is typically restricted to relative clauses (as seen above) and semi-negative “only” sentences using ach.

Níl ionam ach amadán. (Is-not in-me but a-fool.) “I am only a fool.”

An ordinary affirmative sentence like *Tá amadán ionam is incorrect. You must use the possessive pronoun structure instead: Tá mé i m’amadán (I am a fool).

When to Use bí + i

These forms are used in specific contexts:

1. For temporary or newly acquired roles: This construction is used for professions, functions, or states that are not inherent or permanent.

   • Bhí mé fós i mo chailín beag ag an am sin. - I was still a little girl at that time.

2. For tenses without a copula form: The copula is has a limited number of tenses. For the future, imperative, or sentences requiring a verbal noun, you must use bí.

   • Bí i d’fhear! - Be a man!
   • Ná bí i d’amadán! - Don’t be a fool!
   • Ní maith léi bheith ina cailín beag. - She doesn’t like being a little girl.

3. For emphasis: The relative clause structure (Fear atá ionat) is more emphatic than both the standard copula sentence and the possessive pronoun structure.

   • Dochtúir atá ionam. - I am a doctor. (Emphatic)
   • Is dochtúir mé. - I am a doctor. (Neutral)

Classification with ar (on)

Using the preposition ar (on) often expresses the idea of being “one of…” a group. It is very common with comparative adjectives to form a superlative meaning.

This structure often comes from the fuller phrase ar dhuine de (on one of…) or ar cheann de (on one of…), but dhuine de or cheann de is frequently omitted.

Tá sí ar (dhuine de) na cailíní is áille. (Is she on (person of) the girls that-are most-beautiful.) “She is one of the most beautiful girls.”

Identification with ar (on)

A similar structure with ar is used for identification, particularly with superlatives (“the cleverest”) and ordinal numbers (“the first,” “the second”).

Tá sé ar an duine is cliste sa rang. (Is he on the person most clever in the class.) “He is the cleverest person in the class.”

Ba í an chéad duine ar an liosta. (Was she the first person on the list.) “She was the first person on the list.”

Classification with mar (as/like)

The preposition mar (as, like) can also be used in classification sentences. The meaning can be a literal comparison (“to be like something”) or a simple classification.

Tá sé mar athair dom. (Is he like a-father to-me.) “He is like a father to me.”

D’fhóin sé mar shaighdiúir. (Served he as a-soldier.) “He served as a soldier.”

Classification with de (of)

This construction is limited to equative sentences, which express that something is “as… as…”. An apposition with de + an indefinite noun can follow chomh + adjective. This structure translates to “such a…”.

• chomh mór de theach - such a big house (literally, “as big of a house”)

Ní fhaca mé riamh a leithéid, chomh beag de dhuine agus an oiread sin misnigh aige. (I never saw the like, such a small person and he with so much courage.) “I never saw the like, such a small person with so much courage.”