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Chapter 29 - Ability and possibility with -(y)Abil

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

F. Nihan Ketrez
F. Nihan Ketrez
Affiliation:
Istanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi
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Summary

-(y)Abil

Both ability (‘can’) and possibility (‘may’) are expressed with the suffix -(y)Abil in Turkish. The same suffix is used to express permission as well. When it is attached to verbs, the first vowel of the suffix undergoes vowel harmony, while the last syllable does not alternate: aç-abil-, iç-ebil-, dur-abil-, etc. The suffix is followed by tense, aspect, and person markers.

  1. Sen çayı şekersiz içebilir misin?

  2. Saat kaçta evde olabilirsiniz?

  3. Yarınki toplantılara Hale Hanım da katılabilecek.

  4. Burada oturabilir miyim?

In the affirmative sentences, the interpretation and ability-possibility distinction is determined by the context. Tense markers and person markers that are attached to the verb, because they are a part of the context, may give clues regarding the interpretation as well. For example, with the permission and possibility interpretations, usually the aorist (present tense) markers are used.

-(y)Abil is used to form polite requests as well. Using - (y)Abil together with the aorist makes the question more polite. The first example below sounds more polite than the second one without - (y)Abil:

  1. Radyonun sesini biraz kısabilir misiniz?

  2. Radyonun sesini biraz kısar mısınız?

Type
Chapter
Information
A Student Grammar of Turkish , pp. 213 - 216
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2012

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