42. Each, every, all

  • ஒவ்வொரு A-உம்
    • Translates as: ‘each A, every A’
    • Etymologically ஒவ்வொரு is: ஒ + ஒரு ‘one-one’ வ்வ் is inserted due to the Sandhi Rules)
    • The first letter of the numeral is duplicated to indicate the applicability of the statement to individual members of a set of A’s.
    • ஒவ்வொரு A without -உம் means ‘various A’s [considered individually]’ and does not necessarily imply that every A is involved.
      • a) ஒவ்வொரு குழந்தையும் படிக்க வேண்டும் – every/each child must read.
      • b) ஒவ்வொரு தந்தையும் சுத்தம் செய்ய வேண்டும் – every/each father must clean.
      • c) ஒவ்வொரு அரசியல்வாதியும் உண்மையை பேச வேண்டும் – every/each politician must speak the truth.
      • d) ஒவ்வொடு சாமிக்கு ஒவ்வொரு கொயில் உண்டு – There are various temples for various gods.
    • The addition of -உம் ‘inclusive’ indicates that no member of the set is left out: i.e. that the statement is applicable to each individual member. The noun form is: ஒவ்வொன்றும் ‘each [thing], each one.’ Note again that -உம் comes after any case ending.
  • எல்லா A-உம் , எல்லாவற்ற A-உம்  
    • Translates as ‘all A’s ‘
    • Used for irrational A’s
    • Note that both this construction and ஒவ்வொரு A-உம் can sometimes be translated by ‘every A’: e.g. ‘there are festivals every month’.
    • Keep in mind, however, that: எல்லா A-உம் refers to the totality, whereas ஒவ்வொரு A-உம் refers to the members of the set of A’s individually considered. 
    • Note again that -உம் comes after any case ending.
    • E.g. எல்லா கடைகளும் – all the shops
    • Can be replaced by noun எல்லாம்
  • எல்லார் A-உம்
    • Translates as ‘all A’s ‘
    • Used for irrational A’s
    • E.g. எல்லா ஆண்களும் – all the men
    • Can be replaced by noun எல்லாரும், எல்லோரும்