B1 Gerunds & Infinitives 1 min read Facile

Forming Verbal Nouns with -atu

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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Transform any verb into a noun by adding -atu to the root to describe the act of doing something.

  • Identify the verb root (e.g., 'paadu' - sing).
  • Attach the -atu suffix to create the noun (e.g., 'paadatu' - the act of singing).
  • Use this noun as the subject or object in your sentence.
Verb Root + atu = Verbal Noun

Verbal Noun Formation

Verb Root Suffix Verbal Noun Meaning
Paadu
-atu
Paadatu
Singing
Oodu
-atu
Oodatu
Running
Padi
-atu
Padiyatu
Reading
Pes
-atu
Pesatu
Speaking
Saapidu
-atu
Saapidatu
Eating
Nad
-atu
Nadappatu
Walking

Meanings

The -atu suffix transforms a verb into a verbal noun, allowing you to treat an action as a concept or object.

1

Conceptual Action

Describing the act of performing a verb as a static concept.

“Oodatu kavalai. (Running is a worry.)”

“Pesatu arumai. (Speaking is wonderful.)”

Reference Table

Reference table for Forming Verbal Nouns with -atu
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Root + atu
Paadatu nalladhu
Negative
Root + atu + koodadhu
Paadatu koodadhu
Question
Root + atu + a?
Paadatu nalladha?
Subject
Noun + Subject
Paadatu inimai
Object
Noun + Object
Naan paadatu virumbugiren

Spectre de formalité

Formel
Paadatu nalladhu.

Paadatu nalladhu. (General)

Neutre
Paadatu nalladhu.

Paadatu nalladhu. (General)

Informel
Paadatu nalla irukkum.

Paadatu nalla irukkum. (General)

Argot
Paadatu sema.

Paadatu sema. (General)

Verbal Noun Concept

Verb Root

Action

  • Paadu Sing

Noun

  • Paadatu Singing
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Exemples par niveau

1

Oodatu nalladhu.

Running is good.

2

Pesatu pidikkum.

I like speaking.

3

Paadatu inimai.

Singing is sweet.

4

Saapidatu nalladhu.

Eating is good.

1

Nadappatu udambukku nalladhu.

Walking is good for the body.

2

Padippatu enadhu vazhakkam.

Reading is my habit.

3

Vilaiyatu nalladhu.

Playing is good.

4

Ezhudhutu arumai.

Writing is wonderful.

1

Avarin pesatu migavum nalladhu.

His way of speaking is very good.

2

Kudippatu koodadhu.

Drinking is not allowed.

3

Paadatu enadhu kanavu.

Singing is my dream.

4

Oodatu enadhu viruppam.

Running is my preference.

1

Avargalin nadappatu matravargalukku madhippu.

Their way of walking is respected by others.

2

Samaiyatu mudindhadhu.

The cooking is finished.

3

Padippatu enadhu vazhkkai.

Studying is my life.

4

Pesatu enadhu thiran.

Speaking is my skill.

1

Kavithai ezhudhutu oru kalai.

Writing poetry is an art.

2

Avarin nadappatu oru varalaru.

His way of walking is a history.

3

Pesatu enbadhu oru kalai.

Speaking is an art.

4

Paadatu enbadhu anma.

Singing is a soul.

1

Avarin pesatu enbadhu oru arputham.

His way of speaking is a miracle.

2

Nadappatu enbadhu oru iyakkam.

Walking is a movement.

3

Ezhudhutu enbadhu oru vazhi.

Writing is a path.

4

Paadatu enbadhu oru unarvu.

Singing is a feeling.

Facile à confondre

Forming Verbal Nouns with -atu vs Infinitive (-a)

Both involve verb roots.

Erreurs courantes

✗

Paadu nalladhu

✓

Paadatu nalladhu

You must add -atu to make it a noun.
✗

Paadatu kooda

✓

Paadatu koodadhu

Negative requires the full form.
✗

Paadatu enadhu

✓

Paadatu enadhu vazhakkam

Needs a noun to complete the thought.
✗

Paadatu enbadhu

✓

Paadatu

Sometimes redundant.

Structures de phrases

___ nalladhu.

Real World Usage

Social Media constant

Oodatu pidikkum!

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💡

Practice

Use it daily.

Smart Tips

Use -atu.

Paadu pidikkum → Paadatu pidikkum

Prononciation

PAA-da-tu

Suffix stress

The stress usually falls on the root, not the suffix.

Statement

Paadatu nalladhu ↓

Declarative

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'atu' as 'a-to-do' list. You take a verb and turn it into a task on your list.

Association visuelle

Imagine a singer (paadu) holding a sign that says 'atu'. The sign turns the singer into a statue of a singer (the noun).

Rhyme

Add the atu to the root, now the noun is absolute.

Story

Ravi loves to sing. He adds 'atu' to his singing to make it a noun. Now he can hold his singing in his hands like a gift.

Word Web

PaadatuOodatuPesatuSaapidatuNadappatuPadippatu

Défi

Write 5 sentences today using -atu to describe your daily activities.

Notes culturelles

Used in daily conversation to express opinions.

Derived from classical Tamil verbal noun structures.

Amorces de conversation

“

Enna pidikkum?

Sujets d'écriture

Describe your day using verbal nouns.

Erreurs courantes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

___ nalladhu.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Paadatu
Needs a noun.

Score: /1

Exercices pratiques

1 exercises
Fill in the blank.

___ nalladhu.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Paadatu
Needs a noun.

Score: /1

FAQ (1)

Yes, for most verbs.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

English high

Gerund (-ing)

English uses -ing, Tamil uses -atu.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Connected Grammar

Verb Roots

Prerequisite

Need roots.

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