In the same way we can substitute certain infinitives too in the places of verbal nouns plus some other case markers. In the above sentence the infinitive expresses the causual sense. Like this some other infinitives are found to be used to denote certain other significances also. Now let us see the various functions denoted by infinitive in “Cuntarar teevaaram”. I. Causal There are so many instances in which the infinitive occurs to signify the cause of the action. eg amarar veen ta uyar tavattai alikka vanta kaamaveel (53-4) malai poliya vellam peruki... (789-5) In the above examples the infinitives can be replaced by the corresponding verbal nouns plus causal suffix -aai. Such as, amarar veen tutal + aal ... ... malai polital + aal ...... 2. Purposive Infinitive is also used to denote the purpose of the action. In such a case it occurs in the place of a verbal noun plus the purposive marker -ku. eg. tavattai alikka vanta kaamaveel (53-5) [alikka -> alittal-Hku] kuļaittifai aațap pukka maații (94ા-i) [aata - aatutal-H-ku] 3. Dative The dative sence is also expressed by infinitive. 267
