Please look at the following:

D'iarr sé orm - he asked me.
B'éigan dó - he had
Mhól tú do - you advised him

My question is
Why does the D'iarr use orm?
Why does éigan use dó? and
Why does mól use dó

Why do these all use different forms and how can I work out what to use and when?

This is a difficult question, because prepositions are just such a huge topic. There are some logical patterns to how prepositions work, but there are so many different patterns, and so many exceptions that there is just no easy way to master them. Saoirse (one of the mods) mentioned a while ago about how she used to recite “abair le” and “inis do” to herself to stop her mixing them up. That's often the only way you can get these things straight in your head.

Can I ask what level your Irish is at, and what resources you are using to learn? We will be able to recommend a few things for you to read if we knew more about what stage you are currently at.

_________________
Táim ag foghlaim fós. Fáilte roimh gach aon cheartúchán.

I have to agree with Mick...the only way I can think of to get these down in to memorize them. Some of them will seem pretty logical, but many won't, at least not at first. Actually, you'll know you're really getting the hang of this language when it no longer seems odd to use a word that usually translates as "under" to mean "about" or a word that usually translates to "with" to mean "to" or "by"!

Redwolf

If you log on to the Pota Focal on-line dictionary, there are examples of how verbs are used and you can also go to the other dictionaries that are in the bar at the bottom of the page - FNBG (en) and FNBG (ga). If you chose a particular preposition, they'll give you a whole list of entries showing how it's used and with which verb, plus you have the pronunciation to go with it. If you look for a verb on Foclóir Beag, they also give you the conjugation.

Hi wanting2learn,

There is actually an almost complete grammatical account of when you should use each of the prepositions, but it's pretty technical (stuff like verbal states, e.t.c.) and would be somewhat difficult to remember. I agree with the others that experience and practice is the best way to learn them. However I will post up some of the major points later, just so you can have a look.

_________________
The dialect I use is Cork Irish.
Ar sgáth a chéile a mhairid na daoine, lag agus láidir, uasal is íseal

This thread seemed like a good idea at the time....... viewtopic.php?f=28&t=1375&hilit=preposition+game

Hope it doesn't scare the bejaysus out of you! I miss Scooby......

_________________

Does Mr Saoirse know?

Or Mrs. Scooby!

_________________