distinction of number and person takes place only in a few tenses.
The inflections of Verbs, like those of nouns, are made by changes at the beginning, and on the termination.
The changes on the termination are made according to one model, and by the same rules. But for the sake of stating some diversity in the initial changes, it may be convenient to arrange the verbs in two conjugations, whereof the first comprehends those verbs which begin with a consonant, the second, those verbs which begin with a vowel. Verbs beginning with f, followed by a vowel, are ranged under the second conjugation, along with verbs beginning with a vowel.
The verb Bi be, which is used as an auxiliary to other verbs, is declined as follows:—
Bi, be.
Affirmative or Indicative Mood.
| Present. | Preterite. | Future. |
| Sing. | Sing. | Sing. |
| 1. Ta mi, I am, | Bha mi, I was, | Bithidh mi, I will be, |
| 2. Ta thu, | Bha thu, | Bithidh tu, |
| 3. Ta e; | Bha e; | Bithidh se; |
| Plur. | Plur. | Plur. |
| 1. Ta sinn, | Bha sinn, | Bithidh sinn, |
| 2. Ta sibh, | Bha sibh, | Bithidh sibh, |
| 3. Ta iad. | Bha iad. | Bithidh siad. |
Negative or Interrogative Mood.
| Present. | Preterite. | Future. | ||
| Sing. | Sing. | Sing. | ||
| ni cha nach mur, &c. |
| 1 Bheil mi, I am not, | Robh mi, I was not, | Bi mi, I shall not be, |
| 2 Bheil thu, | Robh thu, | Bi thu, | ||
| 3 Bheil e; | Robh e; | Bi se; | ||
| Plur. | Plur. | Plur. | ||
| 1 Bheil sinn, | Robh sinn, | Bi sinn, | ||
| 2 Bheil sibh, | Robh sibh, | Bi sibh, | ||
| 3 Bheil iad. | Robh iad. | Bi siad. | ||
