Language/Malayalam/Grammar/Participles-and-Infinitives

Malayalam Grammar → Advanced Sentence Structures → Participles and Infinitives

As a Malayalam language teacher with over 20 years of experience, I am excited to introduce you to the topic of participles and infinitives. In this lesson, we will explore their forms and uses in sentences.

Participles

Participles are verb forms that can be used as adjectives or adverbs. In Malayalam, there are two types of participles: present and past.

Present Participles

Present participles are formed by adding "-അകാരം" ("-akaram") to the verb stem. For example, the verb "കാണുക" ("kaanuka", meaning "to see") has a present participle form of "കാണുകയുള്ള" ("kaanukayulla", meaning "seeing").

Here are some examples of present participles used in sentences:

Malayalam	Pronunciation	English
കാണുകയുള്ള	kaanukayulla	seeing
ചെയ്യുകയുള്ള	cheyyukayulla	doing
പറഞ്ഞുകയുള്ള	parannukayulla	saying

Past Participles

Past participles are formed by adding "-എന്ന്" ("-ennu") or "-ടെ" ("-de") to the verb stem. For example, the verb "ചെയ്തു" ("cheythu", meaning "did") has a past participle form of "ചെയ്ത" ("cheytha", meaning "done").

Here are some examples of past participles used in sentences:

Malayalam	Pronunciation	English
ചെയ്ത	cheytha	done
പറഞ്ഞ	parannu	said
പോയി	pooyi	gone

Infinitives

Infinitives are the base form of a verb and can be used as the subject or object of a sentence. In Malayalam, infinitives are formed by adding "-ടും" ("-dum") or "-നും" ("-num") to the verb stem. For example, the verb "പറഞ്ഞു" ("parannu", meaning "to say") has an infinitive form of "പറഞ്ഞുനോക്കുക" ("parannunokkuka", meaning "to try to say").

Here are some examples of infinitives used in sentences:

Malayalam	Pronunciation	English
ചെയ്യുന്നുവെങ്കിലും	cheyyunnuvengilum	to do
കാണുന്നതുവേണ്ടാ	kaanunnathuvennaada	to see
പറഞ്ഞുനോക്കുക	parannunokkuka	to try to say

Using Participles and Infinitives in Sentences

Participles and infinitives can be used to make sentences more concise and interesting. Here are some examples:

• We saw the man who was running. (long form)
• We saw the running man. (short form using present participle)

• She told me that she will come tomorrow. (long form)
• Her coming tomorrow was told to me. (short form using "coming" infinitive)

Practice

Here are some sentences to practice using participles and infinitives. Translate them into Malayalam, then try to rephrase them using participles or infinitives.

• The boy who is singing is my brother.
• I need to find the book that you read last week.
• She will ask you for the money that you borrowed from her.

I hope this lesson has been helpful in understanding participles and infinitives in Malayalam. Keep practicing and using them in your sentences to become a more proficient speaker!

Table of Contents - Malayalam Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Malayalam Script

• Basic Letters
• Conjunct Consonants
• Vowel Markers
• Syllable Structure

  ---

Everyday Phrases

• Greetings and Introductions
• Asking for Directions
• Food and Drink
• Numbers and Time

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Subject Pronouns
• Word Order
• Nouns and Adjectives
• Present Tense Verbs

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing People
• Datings
• Work and Professions

  ---

Kerala Culture and Traditions

• The Land of Kerala
• Festivals of Kerala
• Arts and Performances
• Cuisine and Food Traditions

  ---

Future and Past Tenses

• Future Tense Verbs
• Past Tense Verbs
• Compound Sentences
• Noun Cases

  ---

Travel and Accommodation

• Booking a Hotel
• Means of Transport
• Tourist Attractions
• Emergencies

  ---

Malayalam Cinema and Literature

• Golden Era of Malayalam Cinema
• Famous Malayalam Writers and Works
• Malayalam Music

  ---

Advanced Sentence Structures

• Passive Voice
• Conditional Sentences
• Direct and Indirect Speech
• Participles and Infinitives

  ---

Technology and Social Media

• Using Social Media
• Emoticons and Expressions
• Technology and Gadgets
• E-commerce and Banking

Related Lessons

• Compound Sentences
• Present Tense Verbs
• Nouns and Adjectives
• Nouns
• Vowel Markers
• Direct and Indirect Speech
• Passive Voice
• Basic Letters
• Future Tense Verbs
• Questions

Sources

• Malayalam