Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c27.s43: 7.39 Definition

Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c27.s43

Syntax is the arrangement of words in forming a sentence according to the rules of grammar of the language.

The main principles governing syntax in Tamil may be briefly summarised as follows:

(1) The normal word order in a sentence is subject-object-verb (SOV). This order may, however, change in special circumstances.

(2) The attribute precedes the word it qualifies.

(3) There is agreement between the subject and the verbal predicate in person, number and gender.

(4) The predicate is generally a verb, but may also be a noun.

(5) The subject or the object or even the verb are not obligatory elements in a sentence.