How to Use Demonstrative Pronouns and Adjectives in Tamil

Understanding Demonstrative Pronouns and Adjectives in Tamil

Demonstrative pronouns and adjectives are words used to point to specific things or people. In English, words like "this," "that," "these," and "those" serve this purpose. Tamil has its own set of demonstrative pronouns and adjectives that function similarly but follow different grammatical rules.

What Are Demonstrative Pronouns?

Demonstrative pronouns replace a noun and indicate which one is being referred to. For example, in English, "This is mine" uses "this" as a demonstrative pronoun. In Tamil, demonstrative pronouns also stand alone without a noun following them.

What Are Demonstrative Adjectives?

Demonstrative adjectives modify a noun by pointing it out specifically. For example, "this book" or "those cars" in English. In Tamil, demonstrative adjectives come before the noun they describe and agree with it in number and proximity.

Demonstrative Pronouns in Tamil

Tamil demonstrative pronouns vary based on proximity (near or far) and number (singular or plural). Here are the common ones:

• இது (idu) – this (near, singular)
• அது (adu) – that (far, singular)
• இவை (ivai) – these (near, plural)
• அவை (avai) – those (far, plural)

These pronouns can be used alone to refer to objects or people that are near or far from the speaker.

Examples of Demonstrative Pronouns

- இது நல்லது. (Idu nallathu.) – This is good.
- அது பழையது. (Adu pazhaiyadhu.) – That is old.
- இவை புதியவை. (Ivai puthiyaivai.) – These are new.
- அவை பெரியவை. (Avai periyavai.) – Those are big.

Demonstrative Adjectives in Tamil

When demonstratives are used as adjectives, they come before the noun and indicate which specific item is being talked about.

• இந்த (intha) – this (near, singular)
• அந்த (antha) – that (far, singular)
• இவை (ivai) – these (near, plural)
• அவை (avai) – those (far, plural)

Note that for plural nouns, the demonstrative adjective often remains the same as the pronoun form.

Examples of Demonstrative Adjectives

- இந்த புத்தகம் (Intha puththagam) – this book
- அந்த வீடு (Antha veedu) – that house
- இவை புத்தகங்கள் (Ivai puththagangal) – these books
- அவை வீடுகள் (Avai veedugal) – those houses

Tips for Using Demonstratives in Tamil

• Use 'இது' and 'இந்த' for singular objects near the speaker.
• Use 'அது' and 'அந்த' for singular objects far from the speaker.
• Use 'இவை' and 'இவை' for plural objects near the speaker.
• Use 'அவை' and 'அவை' for plural objects far from the speaker.
• Remember that demonstrative adjectives come before the noun.
• Practice by pointing to objects and naming them using Tamil demonstratives.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing demonstrative pronouns with adjectives – pronouns stand alone, adjectives modify nouns.
• Using singular demonstratives with plural nouns and vice versa.
• Ignoring the proximity distinction between near and far objects.
• Forgetting that Tamil demonstratives change based on number and distance.

Summary

Demonstrative pronouns and adjectives in Tamil help specify which objects or people are being referred to, based on proximity and number. By learning the common forms and practicing with examples, English speakers can effectively use these important parts of Tamil grammar.