other such locutions, the eclipsing a or i (in which) is used before the verb. Before the Past Tense, of course, ar (a + ro) is used. Cionnus a ḃfuil tú? How are you?
Mar is also followed by the ordinary Present and Future.
558. SUL, “before,” has two usages. It may be followed by the relative forms—e.g., sul ṫiocfas sé, sul ṫáinig sé; or else it may be followed by one of the particles a, má, fá, dá, all of which eclipse.
559. After these particles, the Subjunctive Mood is often used when the event is future and uncertain, or contains a mental element: as—
- Imṫiġ leat sul a ḃfeiciḋ sé tú.
- Be off (with you) before he sees you (i.e., so that he may not see you).
It is not correct to eclipse after the word sul, as sul dtáinig, although sometimes done.
560. The relative form of the Present Tense is frequently used as a historic present, even when no relative occurs in the sentence: as—
- Noċtas Eireṁón dóiḃ. Eremon revealed to them.
