Negation: don't, doesn't, isn't
மறுப்பு வாக்கியங்கள்
Just like questions, English negation needs the helper verb do/does for ordinary verbs — but 'to be' and modals negate directly, without any helper at all.
Grammar Comparison
Grammar Comparison
Two negation systems depending on the verb type
I don't like coffee. (ordinary verb, needs do) vs. I am not tired. (to be, negates directly, no do)
எனக்கு காபி பிடிக்காது. / நான் களைப்பாக இல்லை. (both use a single, consistent negative verb form)
Tamil negates every verb through the same basic mechanism — a negative suffix or the word இல்லை — with no split by verb type. English splits negation in two: ordinary verbs need the do-support you met in the questions lesson, plus not (don't/doesn't), while 'to be' and modal verbs (can, must, should) simply add not directly with no helper (isn't, can't, shouldn't). Check which category a verb falls into before negating it — the wrong pattern (like 'I not like it') is one of the most common learner errors.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
- Tamil (English explanations)
- எனக்கு காபி பிடிக்காது.enakku kāpi piḍikkādhu.
- Tamil (English explanations)
- அவளுக்குத் தெரியாது.avaḷukkuth theriyādhu.
- Tamil (English explanations)
- நான் களைப்பாக இல்லை.nān kaḷaippāga illai.
- Tamil (English explanations)
- என்னால் வர முடியாது.eṉṉāl vara muḍiyādhu.