044 PERFECT TENSE.

98. That part of time which, in English, is termed the perfect tense is, in the Malayalim language, more clearly defined by two distinct forms which I shall designate the perfect and the present perfect tense.
99. This tense represents an action as performed within the present time, that is to say, within an individuals life time, or within the present century, year, month, or day; but which is entirely over, and finished at the time of speaking about it.
100. The perfect tense is formed by adding ഉണ്ട with ഇട്ട prefixed to the past participle, or past tense of the principal verbs; as,
കെട്ടിട്ടുണ്ട. Have heard.
ഞാൻ അവനെ കണ്ടിട്ടുണ്ട. I have seen him.
നീ അപ്രകാരം ചെയ്തിട്ടുണ്ടൊ? ഞാൻ അത ചെയ്തിട്ടുണ്ട.
Have you done so? I have done it.
When other words are affixed to these forms, ഉള്ള is substituted for ഉണ്ട; as,
താൻ കെട്ടിട്ടുള്ള വൎത്തമാനം സത്യമുള്ളതല്ല.
The news you have heard is not true.