Confusing ர and ற
These two letters sound similar but are distinct in written Tamil. Using the wrong one changes the meaning completely.
❌ Common Error
அரசு (wrong)
✓ Correct
அறசு (government)
Tip: "ற" (hard R) is used in words like அறம், பறவை, நிறம். "ர" (soft R) is used in words like அரசன், கரம், பரம்.
Missing Sandhi (சந்தி)
When two Tamil words combine, they often need a connecting letter (sandhi). Omitting this is a very common mistake.
❌ Incorrect
தமிழ் + அன்னை = தமிழ்அன்னை
✓ Correct
தமிழ் + அன்னை = தமிழ்த்அன்னை
Common Sandhi examples: பூ + மாலை → பூமாலை, கல் + வெட்டு → கல்வெட்டு
Confusing ன and ண
Both are nasal sounds but used in different contexts. This error is especially common among younger writers.
❌ Wrong
வீனம் (wrong)
✓ Correct
வீணம் (in vain)
❌ Wrong
மாணவன் (wrong)
✓ Correct
மாணவன் (student)
Wrong Conjunct Letters
Tamil has specific rules for doubling consonants. Getting this wrong affects pronunciation and meaning.
❌ Incorrect
அன்னம் (swan) written as அனம்
✓ Correct
அன்னம் (with doubled ன்)
Using English Word Order
Tamil follows Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order, unlike English's Subject-Verb-Object. Mixing this up sounds unnatural.
❌ English Order
நான் சாப்பிட்டேன் சோறு
(I ate rice - direct translation)
✓ Tamil Order (SOV)
நான் சோறு சாப்பிட்டேன்
(I rice ate - natural Tamil)
Quick Proofreading Checklist
- Check all ர/ற and ல/ள/ழ usage
- Verify sandhi rules are applied at word junctions
- Confirm ன/ண usage is correct
- Check verb endings match subject
- Ensure SOV sentence order