Infinitive

The infinitive is a simple word made out of the verb root. It corresponds well with the English infinitive in translations, which is the word “to” followed by the verb. (Ex: “to fall”, “to wash”). It is used very often to help form other expressions and verb forms.

Infinitive

The infinitive is formed by

  • adding -அ to verbs in Classes 1-4
    (2-syllable short-vowel words ending in an -உ sound drop the final -உ before adding -அ)
  • adding -க்க to verbs in Classes 6-7

Ex:

  • கழுவ = “to wash”
  • விழ = “to fall”
  • சொல்ல = “to say”
  • பண்ண = “to do”
  • ஊற்ற = “to pour”

Irregulars

Verb Infinitive
வில்5 விற்க
கேள்5 கேட்க
வா2 வர
தா2 தர
போ3 போக

“Going to …”, etc.

In English, we sometimes say “They are going to buy things” or “We went to play”. To say “going to”, follow the infintive with போ3. In addition to போ3, this also applies to any other verbs that make sense in its place, such as விடு4, முயற்சி செய்1a, விரும்பு3, and பார்6.

Although பார்6 means “see”, when it is used here, it means “try”. முயற்சி செய்1a means “try” as it is, so both verbs mean the same thing here.

Ex:

  • அவர்கள் பொருள்களை வாங்க போகிறார்கள் = “They are going to buy things”
  • நாங்கள் விளையாட போனோம் = “We went to play”
  • அவன் பேருந்தில் ஏற முயற்சி செய்தான், ஆனால் அவனால் ஏற முடியவில்லை = “He tried to get on the bus, but he was not able to get on.”

Should / Should Not

Should / Should Not
  • To indicate “should”, use infinitive + வேண்டும்
  • To indicate “shouldn’t”, use infinitive + கூடாது

Ex:

  • நான் புறப்பட வேண்டும் = “I should depart”
  • நீ பாலில் தண்ணீரை கலக்க கூடாது = “You shouldn’t mix water in the milk”

prior uses of the infinitive

The infinitive has been the basis for some of the rules about negative commands and verbs with அது and அவை. Using the infinitive, the previous rules become:

Negative Commands

Commands without respect are formed by replacing the final -அ of the infinitive with -ஆதே. Commands with respect are formed by replacing the final -அ of the infinitive with -ஆதீர்கள்.

Future Tense of அது, அவை

The future tense of அது and அவை is formed by replacing the final -அ of the infinitive with -உம்