In Tamil we find many sentences with a AVP form of the `quotative' LT verb ͨ en following a quoted phrase or sentence: S ýá -nnu Vb. They cannot all be considered to have the semantic value of direct quotation. Some instances of ýá -nnu are used to indicate indirect speech while others indicate direct quotations. Still other uses express intent while others indicate thought. When the verb is finite, as in õÞÅÔõ´ -ngraanka, the semantic value is equivalent to English `they say' or `people say' or `it's rumored that ...' `it's supposed to be true that ...'.