Editing Irish syntax (section)

==Syntax of the verbal noun==
A [[progressive tense|progressive]] [[grammatical aspect|aspect]] can be formed by connecting the [[verbal noun]] to the existential verb with the progressive particle {{Lang|ga|ag}}.
{{interlinear|lang=ga|number=(8)
| Tá Mícheál ag labhairt Gaeilge le Cáit anois.
| EXIST.PRES Mícheál at speak.VN Irish with Cáit now
| Mícheál is speaking Irish with Cáit now.
}}
 
The object of a verbal noun is in the genitive, if it is definite.
{{interlinear|lang=ga|number=(9)
| Tá Séamas ag léamh an nuachtáin.
| EXIST.PRES Séamas at read.VN the newspaper.GEN
| Séamas is reading the newspaper.
}}
 
If a nonfinite clause forms the complement of the verb, the verbal noun stands alone (without a preposition) in the clause.
{{interlinear|lang=ga|number=(10)
| D'éirigh liom breith ar an liathróid.
| be-successful.PRET {with me} catch.VN on the ball
| I succeeded in catching the ball.
}}

The direct object of a verbal noun complement precedes the verbal noun; the leniting particle {{Lang|ga|a}} "to" is placed between them. Other complements follow.
{{interlinear|lang=ga|number=(11)
| Tá brath agam an scian a chur go cúramach ar an mbord.
| EXIST.PRES intention {at me} the knife to put.VN PTC careful on the table
| I intend to place the knife carefully on the table.
}}