Gu

=0. Contents=


 * 1) Syntax
 * 2) Semantics

This page is about the non-leniting, dative-governing preposition //gu//. Many of its properties are already described on the page about prepositions.

=1. Syntax=

a. The definite variant of //gu// is //gus//. The former cannot be immediately followed by a form of the definite article; the latter must be immediately followed by a form of the definite article.

For example:
 * //gu bòrd// (to a table), //gu bùird// (to tables).
 * * //gu a' bhòrd// (to the table), * //gu na bùird// (to the tables).
 * //gus a' bhòrd// (to the table), //gus na bùird// (to the tables).
 * * //gus bòrd// (to a table), * //gus bùird// (to my tables).

[ROM: what of e.g. //bha mi gus innse dhut//?? i.e. //gus// can be followed by something other than a definite article. Need to be more precise here.]

b. The set of conjugated prepositions for //gu// is as follows:
 * ~  ||||~ singular ||~   ||
 * ~  ||~ masc ||~ fem ||~ plural ||
 * ~ first ||||= //thugam// ||= //thugainn// ||
 * ~ second ||||= //thugad// ||= //thugaibh// ||
 * ~ third ||= //thuige// ||= //thuice// ||= //thuca// ||

For example:
 * //thuige// is used instead of * //gu e// (to him).
 * //thuca// is used instead of * //gu iad// (to them).

c. There is also a set of emphatic conjugated prepositions:
 * ~  ||||~ singular ||~   ||
 * ~  ||~ masc ||~ fem ||~ plural ||
 * ~ first ||||= //thugamsa// ||= //thugainne// ||
 * ~ second ||||= //thugadsa// ||= //thugaibhse// ||
 * ~ third ||= //thuige-san// ||= //thuicese// ||= //thucasan// ||

d. Here is the set of possessive prepositions for //gu// :
 * ~  ||~ singular ||~ plural ||
 * ~ first ||= //gum// ||= //gar// ||
 * ~ second ||= //gud// ||= //gur// ||
 * ~ third ||= //ga// ||= //guN// ||

For example:
 * //gum chaileig// is a variant on //gu mo chaileig // (to my girl).
 * //gar n-eaglais// is a variant on //gu ar n-eaglais// (to our church).

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=2. Semantics=

2.1. Space
Thug iad a' phoit gu Loch Iùbh. (They took the pot to Loch Ewe) Ghlaodh i ris a dhol gu doras cùil. (She called to him to go to a back door);

2.2. Time
Tha dùil againn fuireach gu Diluain. (We intend to stay until Monday.);

2.3. Others
Chaidh am boireannach gu cèilidh. (The woman went to a party) Chaidh mi gu Oifis a' Phuist. (I went to the Post Office)

Gu + verbal noun = "about to, on the point of, almost"
 * Tha mi gu spreadhadh. (I am almost bursting (with food), I am about to burst).
 * Tha e gu bristeadh. (It is about to break).
 * Tha iad gu bhith deiseil. (They are almost ready, about to be ready).

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