How to Use Relative Clauses and Relative Pronouns in Tamil

Understanding Relative Clauses in Tamil

Relative clauses are used to provide additional information about a noun without starting a new sentence. In Tamil, relative clauses function similarly to English but have unique structures and relative pronouns.

What is a Relative Clause?

A relative clause is a part of a sentence that describes or gives more information about a noun. For example, in English: "The man who is standing there is my uncle." The phrase "who is standing there" is the relative clause describing "the man."

Forming Relative Clauses in Tamil

In Tamil, relative clauses are often formed by adding specific suffixes to verbs or using relative pronouns that agree with the noun they describe. The verb in the relative clause is usually in a participle form.

Relative Pronouns in Tamil

Relative pronouns connect the relative clause to the main clause and refer back to the noun being described. Tamil uses different relative pronouns depending on the noun's role and number.

Common Tamil Relative Pronouns

Here are some common relative pronouns used in Tamil:

• எவன் (evan) - who (for people)
• எது (ethu) - which (for things)
• எங்கே (enge) - where (for places)

Examples of Relative Pronouns in Sentences

Let's look at some examples to understand how relative pronouns work in Tamil.

• நான் பார்த்த ஆண் (naan paartha aan) - The man whom I saw
• அவள் வாசிக்கும் புத்தகம் (aval vaasikkum puththagam) - The book that she reads
• நான் சென்ற இடம் (naan sendra idam) - The place where I went

Using Relative Clauses in Tamil Sentences

Relative clauses in Tamil usually come before the noun they describe, unlike English where they come after. The verb in the relative clause is often in a participle form ending with suffixes like -த்த (tha), -இருக்கும் (irukkum), or -கொண்ட (konda).

Examples of Relative Clauses

Here are some examples showing relative clauses in Tamil:

• நான் yesterday பார்த்த படம் (naan yesterday paartha padam) - The movie I saw yesterday
• அவள் பாடும் பாடல் (aval paadum paadal) - The song she sings
• நான் சென்ற பள்ளி (naan sendra palli) - The school I went to

Tips for English Speakers Learning Tamil Relative Clauses

Understanding the placement and verb forms in Tamil relative clauses is key. Remember that the relative clause usually precedes the noun, and the verb takes a participle form.

1. Identify the noun you want to describe.
2. Form the relative clause using the appropriate participle verb form.
3. Place the relative clause before the noun.
4. Use the correct relative pronoun if needed.