Irish Syntax - Normal Word Order

Normal Word Order

The normal word order in an Irish sentence is:

  1. Preverbal particle
  2. Verb
  3. Subject
  4. Direct object or predicate adjective
  5. Indirect object
  6. Location descriptor
  7. Manner descriptor
  8. Time descriptor

Only the verb and subject are obligatory; all other parts are optional (unless the primary or finite verb is transitive, in which case a direct object is required). In synthetic verb forms, the verb and subject are united in a single word, so that even one-word sentences are possible, e.g. Tuigim "I understand."

An example sentence:

Labhraíonn Mícheál Gaeilge le Cáit go minic.
speaks Mícheál Irish with Cáit often
Verb Subject Dir.obj. Ind.obj. Time
"Mícheál speaks Irish with Cáit often."

Read more about this topic:  Irish Syntax

Famous quotes containing the words normal, word and/or order:

    The basic thing nobody asks is why do people take drugs of any sort?... Why do we have these accessories to normal living to live? I mean, is there something wrong with society that’s making us so pressurized, that we cannot live without guarding ourselves against it?
    John Lennon (1940–1980)

    Take the word of experience, I speak the truth: inaction is safest in danger.
    Silius Italicus (26–101)

    It is well within the order of things
    That man should listen when his mate sings;
    But the true male never yet walked
    Who liked to listen when his mate talked.
    Anna Wickham (1884–1947)