a raibh

Relative Past of Bí

Level 4

A raibh can occur in indirect past relatives: an teach a raibh sí ina cónaí ann. Direct past relatives instead have a bhí.

How It Works

A raibh can occur in indirect past relatives: an teach a raibh sí ina cónaí ann. Direct past relatives instead have a bhí.

A raibh is an indirect past relative with bí. The clause contains the pronoun or preposition that expresses the relationship to the antecedent. In the house example, ann means in it and refers back to the house; a direct past relative instead uses a bhí.

Examples (3)

  1. Seo an teach a raibh sí ina cónaí ann.

    This is the house that she lived in.

  2. Chonaic mé an fear a raibh carr aige.

    I saw the man who had a car.

  3. Léigh mé an leabhar a raibh tú ag caint faoi.

    I read the book that you were talking about.

How It Connects

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

a raibhLevel 4Relative Past of Bí

Learn This First

Move an indirect relative construction into past time.

Words in This Pattern

bí