The Past Tense – An Aimsir Chaite 

The Aimsir Chaite is the past tense. The following rules apply to all verbs except the irregular verbs.

• For the negative use 'Níor' and add a ‘h’.

• For the question form, use 'Ar' and add a ‘h’.

• A vowel can never be aspirated/séimhiú after ‘ar’ or' ‘níor’.

• For the Saorbhriathar, use adh/eadh in an chéad réimniú and aíodh/íodh in an dara réimniú.

Aspirating Consonants (with a H)

B C D F G M P S T

Non-aspirating Consonants (without a H)

H L N R Sc Sm Sp St

Rules

• If a verb starts with an aspirating consonant, add a H.

  • Example: Buail. Bhuail mé an tabla.

• If a verb starts with a non-aspirating consonant then no change is required.

- Example: Nigh. Nigh mé féin.

• If a verb begins with a vowel, then you must add D' to it.

  • Example: Oscail. D’oscail sé an doras.

• If a verb begins with "F" then aspirate and add a D'.

  • Example: Fág. D'fhág sí an teach.

To make a regular verb negative in the past tense, put níor before it.