Caibidil a Cúig: Prepositions (Réamhfhocail)

The pronunciation of i is not [i] but a short [@], as if it were written a (and so it is in older literature)

Case

i requires the dative or the accusative, but without the differentiation in location and movement as in German

Initial Mutations after i

• without an article: eclipsis  e.g. i gCeanada = in Canada
• with the singular article: lenition  e.g. sa Ghearmáin = in Germany
  • in Munster f eclipses: sa bhfarraige = in the sea
  • in Connacht eclipsis (except d, t): sa nGearmáin
  • in Connacht t-prefix preceding femin. nouns with s-: sa tsúil

Interrogative

• Cé ann = in what?

i becomes in

• preceding vowels e.g. in Éirinn= in Ireland, in Albain = in Scotland
• preceding the number 2 [in dhá]
• preceding bhur [in bhur]
• preceding titles of books and the like [e.g.: in "Céard a dhéanamh?" = in "What To Do?" , in "Cré na Cille" = in "Cemetary Earth"]
• after in there is never eclipsis or lenition!

Combined with the article

• i + an (preceding a consonant): sa
• i + an (preceding a vowel): san
• i + na: sna

Combined with personal pronouns and possessive pronouns

Forms like ina, inár are spoken like 'na, 'nár (this is always so after a vowel, but often generally so). This is why one often sees it written that way as well.

Combined with the indirect relative particle and with the indir. relative form of the copula

Use

1. spatial: location in a room (as dt. in): sa bpota = the the pot
2. spatial-relative: in /am: in íochtar na tíre = in the lower part of the land, i mbun = on the ground, in imeall = on the sidelines
3. temporal: in: san oíche = in the night
4. regarding: in: briste sa lár = broken through the middle, bán sa ghruaig = blonde("white in the hair ")
5. quality: in: an "intrinsic" quality: maith i leabhar = good in a book, sláinte sa ngrian = healing power of the sun   (with subst. adjectives)
6. condition: in: i bpian = in pain, i imní = in fear
7. condition: (in a state of...): (tá + subj.) + i + possessive pron. + object : tá sé ina phraiseach = it is in disarray ("it is in its disorder ")
   similarly also:
   • progressive form with state of being verbs: tá mé i mo chodladh = (I'm) asleep , tá mé i mo chónaí = I live ("I am in my living ")
     as well as sitting, standing, lying, etc.)
   • classification clauses without the copula: often by temporary or recently attained functions / professions tá mé i mo dhochtuir = I am a doctor ("in my being a doctor"), tá tú i do fhear anois = Now, you are a man ("in your manhood")
     Additional adjectives are here then always lenited (...mhaith),  different than by a definition of a function at the beginning of a sentence: dochtuir maith atá ionam = I am a good doctor,  by non-pronomial forms always in (without eclipsis)  dochtuir atá in Bríd = Bríd is a doctor
   • In a state of being: to exist: ann = here. Tá teach ann = There is a house, A house is here .
   • attainment of such states : éirigh + i + possessive pron. + object , e.g: Éireoidh mé i mo dhochtuir = I will become a doctor. Ba mhaith liom éirí i mo dhochtuir = I would like to become a doctor.
8. membership: in: sna Gardaí = with the police(force), i mbanna = in the band
9. in ann + VN = capable of (also: i gcumas, in acmhainn)
10. pro (with an article): deich bpunt sa lá = 10 pounds a day
11. for: fear san fhear = man for man
12. with verbs : glaoi in ainm = to call by name