Regular Past-Tense Lenition

Level 2

Many regular past forms lenite the verb stem: mhol sé, bhris sí. Do not extend this statement to every irregular verb.

How It Works

Many regular past forms lenite the verb stem: mhol sé, bhris sí. Do not extend this statement to every irregular verb.

For many regular verbs, the independent past uses the stem with initial lenition. Mol becomes mhol and bris becomes bhris. If the initial cannot lenite, the written beginning may stay unchanged, as in léigh. Irregular verbs and autonomous forms have separate patterns.

Examples (3)

  1. Mhol sí an obair.

    She praised the work.

  2. Bhris sé an cupán.

    He broke the cup.

  3. Léigh mé an litir.

    I read the letter.

How It Connects

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

Regular Past-Tense LenitionLevel 2

Learn This First

Recognize initial lenition before using it in regular affirmative past forms.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.