The Neuter Pronoun eaḋ.
213. The pronoun eaḋ is most frequently used in replying to a question asked with any part of the verb is followed by an indefinite predicate.[1] Naċ breáġ an lá é? Is eaḋ go deiṁin. Isn’t it a fine day? It is indeed. An Sacsanaċ é? Ní h‑eaḋ. Is he an Englishman? He is not.
This pronoun corresponds very much with the "unchangeable le" in French: as, Etes-vous sage? Oui, je le suis.
Whenever is in the question is followed by a pronoun, eaḋ cannot be used in the reply. An é Cormac an rí? Ní h‑é. Is Cormac the king? He is not.
Is eaḋ is usually contracted to ’seaḋ (shăh).
214. The phrase is eaḋ (’seaḋ) is often used to refer to a clause going before; as, i gCaṫair na Mart, is eaḋ, ċodail mé aréir. In Westport, it was, that I slept last night. Nuair is mó an anḟoċain (anaċain), is eaḋ, is goire an ċabhair. When the distress is greatest, then it is that help is nearest.
215. In Munster when the predicate is an indefinite noun it is usual to turn the whole sentence into an eaḋ-phrase; as—It is a fine day. Lá breáġ, ’seaḋ é. He is a priest Sagart, ’seaḋ é. He was a slave. Daor, dob ’eaḋ é. Elsewhere these sentences would be, is lá breáġ é; is sagart é; ba ḋaor é.
