The phrase ‘by whom’ is commonly used in the English language to inquire about the agent responsible for an action. It is a formal or grammatical structure that appears in questions, passive voice constructions, and legal or academic writing. Understanding the meaning of ‘by whom’ in Tamil can help Tamil-speaking individuals better comprehend English sentences and improve their grasp of English grammar. In Tamil, ‘by whom’ is typically translated as ‘à® à®¾à®°à®¾à®²à ’ (yaaraal), which conveys the idea of asking who performed a particular action.
Understanding the Structure of By Whom
Grammatical Role in English
By whom is a question phrase primarily used when the subject of the sentence is unknown and the sentence is in passive voice. In English grammar, this phrase indicates the agent who carries out the action. For example:
- By whom was the book written?
- By whom were you invited?
- By whom is this decision made?
In all of these examples, the sentence is structured in the passive voice, and by whom is used to identify the person or entity responsible for the action.
Translation and Equivalent in Tamil
In Tamil, by whom can be translated to ஠ாராலà (yaaraal), where ஠ாரà means who, and the suffix à®à®²à signifies by. It’s used when referring to the agent in a passive sentence. Here are a few examples of how it might appear in Tamil:
- à®à®¨à த பà தà தà®à®®à ஠ாராலà à®à®´à தபà பà®à à®à®¤à ? (Indha puththagam yaaraal ezhuthappattadhu?) By whom was this book written?
- à®à®¨à த à®à®à®¿à®¤à®®à ஠ாராலà ஠னà பà பபà பà®à à®à®¤à ? (Indha kadidham yaaraal anuppappattadhu?) By whom was this letter sent?
As you can see, the meaning remains consistent across languages: the phrase seeks to identify the doer of an action in a passive sentence.
Common Usage of By Whom in Context
Formal and Written English
By whom is more commonly found in formal writing or formal spoken contexts. In casual speech, English speakers often prefer who instead of by whom. For instance, while the grammatically correct sentence is:
By whom was the letter written?
Many people would say:
Who wrote the letter?
Still, in legal documents, academic writing, and official contexts, by whom remains the preferred structure due to its precision and grammatical correctness.
Examples in Real-Life Scenarios
Here are several real-life situations where by whom might be used:
- In a courtroom: By whom was the crime committed?
- In an academic setting: By whom was the theory first proposed?
- In corporate meetings: By whom was the final decision authorized?
In all these cases, the speaker is inquiring about the responsible person in a formal and grammatically accurate manner.
Tips for Tamil Speakers Learning English
Understanding Passive Voice
Learning how to use ‘by whom’ correctly involves understanding the passive voice in English. In Tamil, passive voice is also used but constructed differently. Tamil speakers should practice identifying passive constructions and learning how the subject and object switch places.
For instance:
Active: Ram wrote the book.
Passive: The book was written by Ram.
Question form: By whom was the book written?
Practice with Translations
One effective method is to translate English passive sentences into Tamil and vice versa. This will help reinforce the structure and use of by whom. Try exercises such as:
- Who painted this picture? à®à®¨à த à®à®µà®¿à® தà தà ஠ாரà வரà ஠ினாரà à®à®³à ?
- By whom was this picture painted? à®à®¨à த à®à®µà®¿à® தà தà ஠ாராலà வரà ஠பà பà®à à®à®¤à ?
Both questions ask for the artist, but the second one is passive and uses the structure by whom.
Common Errors to Avoid
Confusing By Who and By Whom
Many learners mistakenly use by who instead of the grammatically correct by whom. The word whom is the objective case of who, which makes it correct when referring to the object of a verb or a preposition like by.
Incorrect: By who was the song sung?
Correct: By whom was the song sung?
Using By Whom in the Wrong Context
It’s important not to overuse by whom or use it in casual situations where who is more appropriate. Reserve by whom for formal writing or when dealing with passive constructions. Using it incorrectly can make your English sound unnatural.
Improving English Communication
Reading and Listening Practice
Tamil speakers can enhance their understanding of by whom by engaging with English media such as news topics, documentaries, and formal speeches. Pay attention to how passive voice and by whom are used, and try to note examples for reference.
Speaking and Writing Exercises
Practice speaking in complete passive sentences and forming questions using by whom. Writing short passages or summaries using this structure will also help solidify the concept.
Understanding the phrase by whom and its meaning in Tamil ஠ாராலà is an essential step for Tamil speakers aiming to master formal English expressions and passive sentence structures. While not commonly used in everyday conversation, by whom plays a critical role in professional, academic, and legal contexts. With consistent practice and attention to passive grammar rules, learners can become more confident in their use of this phrase, improving both comprehension and communication. Whether in translation, speaking, or writing, recognizing the correct usage of by whom ensures accuracy and fluency in English.