is é ... atá

Identifying a Definite Referent

Level 5

Is é Seán atá anseo identifies the person present. The pronoun and relative clause form a coherent identification construction.

How It Works

Is é Seán atá anseo identifies the person present. The pronoun and relative clause form a coherent identification construction.

In this identification cleft the copula and pronoun introduce a definite person, while the relative clause identifies the relevant role. Match the pronoun to the referent: é with Seán and í with Nóra. The relative form atá is not replaced by independent tá inside the same frame.

Examples (3)

  1. Is é Seán atá anseo.

    Seán is the one who is here.

  2. Is í Nóra atá ag caint.

    Nóra is the one speaking.

  3. Is iad na páistí atá sa ghairdín.

    The children are the ones in the garden.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

is é ... atáLevel 5Identifying a Definite Referent

Learn This First

Use the direct-relative present of bí in a definite-person identification.

Words in This Pattern

éíbí