Initial b of the fut. neg. is aspirated after the participle cha not; as, cha bhi.
Initial bh of the pret. subj. loses the aspiration after the
participles ni not, mur if not, nach that not, gu that, nam if; as, mur bithinn, nam bitheadh tu.
The subjunct. and imper. often suffer a contraction, by changing ithea into io; as, biodh, biom, bios, &c.
Some of the compound tenses of Bi are rarely if ever used. They are here given complete, because they correspond to the analogy of other verbs; and show how accurately the various modifications of time may be expressed by the substantive verb itself.
Example of a verb of the First Conjugation. Buail to strike.
ACTIVE VOICE.
Simple Tenses.
Affirmative or Indicative Moods.
| Preterite. | Future. |
| Sing. | Sing. |
| 1 Do bhuail mi, I struck, | Buailidh mi, I will strike, |
| Bhuail mi, | |
| 2 Bhuail thu, | Buailidh tu, |
| 3 Bhuail e; | Buailidh se; |
| Plur. | Plur. |
| 1 Bhuail sinn, | Buailidh sinn, |
| 2 Bhuail sibh, | Buailidh sibh, |
| 3 Bhuail iad. | Buailidh siad. |