I am very confused about when to use the word "ann" in a sentence? Does someone have a tip to give me?
Thank you in advance.
Isabelle

A chara,

There are basically four instances where you use "ann":-

i) An emphatic form of the Copula which sees, e.g. "Is leabhar é" become "leabhar atá ann" - "It is a book";

ii) As an adverb "ann" means "there" when talking about places, e.g. "Tá mé ag dul ann" - " I'm going there" or "Is ann a chonaic mé é" - " It's there that I saw him". Also "Níl ann ach..." - "It's only..." Or when speaking of existence, e.g. "Tá an t-earrach ann" -"It is Spring" or " Tá Dia ann" - "God is" lit. God exists;

iii) As a prepositional pronoun, e.g. just as you would use "leis" (le+é)- "with it/him" or "air" (ar + é)- " on it/him" so too "ann" (i+ é) - "in it/him". In a sentence, you e.g. "Tá tochas ionam" - "I am itchy" and "Tá tochas ann" - "He/it is itchy";

iv) In the phrase, "in ann" means to be able to do something eg "Tá sé in ann an rud sin a dhéanamh" - "He is able to do that (thing)".

I hope this throws some light on the matter!


Is mise le meas,


Seán Mac Gartlan
Co. an Dúin
Éire

Séan, a chara,

Thank you for your help. It does clarify certain things, including the fact that I do need a better grammar book!
Le buíchas,
Isabelle St Clair
Frainc