The genitive (possessive) case with verbal nouns
An tuiseal ginideach le ainmearan gnìomhaireach
In A2 Cuspair 8 (Cur‑seachadan) we learnt that ainmearan cinnteach (definite nouns) which directly follow, or are the object of, ainmearan gnìomhaireach (verbal nouns: ‑ing words), are in the genitive (possessive) case.
Note that this only happens with definite nouns , and that the usual rules for masculine and feminine nouns will apply.
| Gàidhlig | f | Cuin a thòisich thu ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig? | When did you start learning (the) Gaelic? |
| pìob | f | Am bi thu a' seinn na pìob a ? | Do you play the pipes? |
| feadan | m | Am bi thu a' cluich an fheada i n? | Do you play the chanter? |
| fidheall | f | Bidh. Agus bidh mi a' cluiche na fì dhle cuideachd. | I do. And I also play the fiddle. |
| leabhar | m | Bha mi a' ceannach an leabha i r. | I was buying the book. |
| faclair | m | Tha iad a' cleachdadh an fh aclair a h‑uile latha. | They are using the dictionary every day. |
| doras | m | Bidh mi a' fosgladh an dora i s. | I was opening the door. |
| litir | f | Bha e a' sgrìobhadh na lit reach . | He was writing the letter. |
| earrann | f | Tha i ag eadar‑theangachadh na h- earra i nn. | She is translating the paragraph. |