Fronted Phrase + y

Literary Order: Fronted Phrase + Y (Recognition)

Level 6

Yn y dechreuad yr oedd y Gair — In the beginning was the Word. After a phrase moved to the front, like yn y dechreuad, literary Welsh puts y or yr before the verb.

How It Works

Recognition only. This word order is typical of the Bible, older prose and formal writing, where it often gives weight to the fronted phrase.

The pattern. fronted phrase + y/yr + verb + the rest:

  • Yn y dechreuad yr oedd y Gair. — In the beginning was the Word.
  • Yn 1283 y dechreuwyd adeiladu'r castell. — Work on the castle began in 1283.
  • Yno y bu hi fyw am weddill ei hoes. — There she lived for the rest of her life.
  • Felly y bu. — So it was.

Y or a? Literary Welsh uses two linking words after a fronted element:

  • a + soft mutation after a fronted subject or object: Siân a ganodd (It was Siân who sang); compare Relative A
  • y (yr) with no mutation after anything else, such as a time, place, reason or manner

In speech. The same fronting is used for emphasis, but y is usually dropped: Ym Mhwllheli mae'r cyfarfod (It's in Pwllheli that the meeting is). See Emphasis by Fronting. The same y also introduces future that-clauses: That-Clauses With Y.

Examples (6)

  1. Yn y dechreuad yr oedd y Gair.

    In the beginning was the Word.

    From the Welsh Bible, John 1:1. Yr comes before the vowel of oedd.

  2. Yn 1283 y dechreuwyd adeiladu'r castell.

    Work on the castle began in 1283.

  3. Yno y bu hi fyw am weddill ei hoes.

    There she lived for the rest of her life.

  4. Yng Nghaernarfon y cynhelir y gynhadledd eleni.

    This year the conference will be held in Caernarfon.

  5. Felly y bu.

    So it was.

  6. Yn Nolgellau mae ei rhieni'n byw.

    It's in Dolgellau that her parents live.

    Spoken Welsh: the same fronting without y.

How It Connects

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

Fronted Phrase + yLevel 6Literary Order: Fronted Phrase + Y (Recognition)

Learn This First

Literary order fronts an adverbial phrase and follows it with y.

Words in This Pattern

y