Practise the two Irish words for “is”: tá for states and locations, the copula is for saying what something is. Then drill the present, past and future of every irregular Irish verb.
Tá or Is?
Tá mé tuirseach.: I am tired. “Tuirseach” is an adjective describing a state you’re in, and that’s always tá.
Is dochtúir é.: He is a doctor. You’re saying what he *is*, a noun. Putting someone in a category is the copula’s job.
Tá an leabhar ar an mbord.: The book is on the table. Location. Where something is, is always tá.
Is maith liom tae.: I like tea. “Is maith liom” is a fixed copula phrase, literally “tea is good with me”.
Tá sé ag obair.: He is working. An action in progress (ag + verbal noun) takes tá.
Is mise Brendan.: I am Brendan. Identifying one thing as another: the copula joins two nouns.
Tá ocras orm.: I am hungry. Literally “hunger is on me”. Irish puts feelings *on* you, and that needs tá.
Is é sin an fhadhb.: That is the problem. Two definite things equated with each other, so the copula.
Tá an aimsir go breá.: The weather is fine. A temporary condition, not a category. Tá.
Is breá liom an ceol sin.: I love that music. Another fixed copula phrase, like “is maith liom” but stronger.
Tá siad sa bhaile.: They are at home. Location again, so tá.
Is múinteoir í.: She is a teacher. A noun, a profession, a category, so the copula.
Tá tú ceart go leor.: You are all right. Describing how someone is at the moment. Tá.
Is Éireannach mé.: I am Irish. Here “Éireannach” is a noun (an Irish person), so it takes the copula.
Tá brón orm.: I am sorry. Literally “sorrow is on me”. Emotions sit on you, with tá.
Tá sé fuar inniu.: It is cold today. A passing condition, so tá.
Is leabhar maith é seo.: This is a good book. Classifying this thing as a kind of thing, so the copula.
Tá mo mháthair sa chistin.: My mother is in the kitchen. Location, so tá.
Is fearr liom caife.: I prefer coffee. “Is fearr liom” is another fixed copula phrase, for preference.
Tá an obair déanta.: The work is done. A resulting state, so tá.
Is cara liom é.: He is a friend of mine. “Cara” is a noun. Copula.
Tá eagla orm.: I am afraid. “Fear is on me”: the on-you pattern, so tá.
Is deacair é a rá.: It is hard to say. A general truth stated with an adjective takes the copula. It isn't a passing state.
Tá an fear sin ard.: That man is tall. A plain adjective describing him, so tá.
Is ainm dom Síle.: My name is Síle. Equating a name with a person, so the copula.
Tá mé i mo chónaí i gCorcaigh.: I live in Cork. Literally “I am in my living”, a state, so tá.
Tá tuirseach traochta mé.: I am worn out. Adjectives describing your condition, so tá.
Is áit álainn í Conamara.: Connemara is a beautiful place. “Áit” is a noun: you’re saying what Connemara *is*. Copula.