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578. Preceded by ar, the Verbal Noun has the force of a Present Participle Passive, denoting a continued or habitual state: as,
Ní ḟuil an teanga sin ar laḃairt anois.
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That language is not spoken now.
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Tá an ċruit ar croċaḋ ar an ngéig.
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The harp is hanging on the bough.
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| Sgeul ar leanaṁaint. | A continued story. |
In this idiom ar neither aspirates nor eclipses.
579. With iar, after (eclipsing), the Verbal Noun has the force of a Perfect Participle: as,
- Iar dteaċt i n‑Éirinn do Ṗádraig,
- Patrick having come into Ireland.
But in this idiom iar is usually shortened to ar: as, ar dteaċt, &c., the eclipsis being retained. In colloquial language the Verbal Noun is commonly aspirated, not eclipsed, by ar in this usage.
580. Gan is the word used to express negation with the Verbal Noun: as, gan teaċt, not to come.
- Abair le Brian gan an gort do ṫreaḃaḋ.
- Tell Brian not to plough the field.
581. Gan with the Verbal Noun has the force of the Passive Participle in English with un prefixed: as,
- Mo ċúig púint olna agus iad gan sníoṁ,
- My five pounds of wool, and they unspun.
