Case Marking on Nominalized Structures
B2
Clauses
1. Function
Nominalized structures allow actions and processes to function as noun phrases.
When these structures take case markers, they enter sentence grammar as objects, goals, locations, or sources, according to verb valency.
2. Forms
Nominalized structures that take case markers are formed with:
A) -mA + Possessive
B) -DIK + Possessive
Case markers attach to these structures through the pronominal joint –n–.
3. Morphology
A) Core Morphological Pattern
Nominalized Base + Possessive + Pronominal –n– + Case Marker
Examples:
yapıl-ma-sı-n-ı
başlaması-n-a
gecikmesi-n-den
The pronominal –n– functions as a morphological joint, enabling the transition from possessive structure to the case system.
B) Case Markers Used with Nominalized Structures
Accusative (-n-ı / -n-i)
Marks a definite object required by the main verb.Dative (-n-a / -n-e)
Marks goal, direction, or decision target.Locative (-n-da / -n-de)
Marks a state or condition.Ablative (-n-dan / -n-den)
Marks source, cause, or reason.Genitive (-n-ın / -n-in)
Functions as a case marker and as a structural bridge in possessive chains.
C) Voice and Meaning (Agency Suppression)
Passive nominalization is preferred in Turkish professional and academic language to suppress agency and foreground the process.
Examples:
belirlen-me-si
tamamlan-ma-sı
onaylan-ma-ma-sı
This is a deliberate strategy in professional Turkish to maintain a neutral, evidence-based distance.
D) Derivational Transparency
Derivational layers must remain visible before voice and nominalization.
A) belir- (verb root: to appear) + -le- (verb-maker: to determine)
B) tamam- (adj/noun root: complete) + -la- (verb-maker: to complete)
These derivations precede passive, nominalization, and possessive layers.
4. Structural Guide
A) Chain Analysis (Preserved Hierarchy)
ev-in tadilat-ı-n-ın yapıl-ma-sı-n-ı
ev-in → owner (genitive)
tadilat-ı → owned noun
-n-ın → genitive bridge
yapıl-ma-sı → final nominalized action
-n-ı → accusative (specific object)
Micro-morphology of “yapılmasını”:
yap- (verb root)
-ıl- (passive)
-ma- (nominalizer)
-sı (possessive)
-n- (pronominal joint)
-ı (accusative case)
B) Visual Hierarchy (Matruşka Structure)
[[şirket-in uyguladığ-ı] sistem]-in sonuçları
The inner block functions as a complete unit before entering a new possessive chain.
C) Genitive as Structural Bridge
The genitive case connects nominalized units to higher layers.
Example:
tamamlan-ma-sı-n-ın etkisi
Here, -ın functions as a genitive case marker and as a structural bridge.
5. Usage
Case selection depends on the requirements of the main verb.
Examples:
istemek → accusative
karar vermek → dative
dolayı / yüzünden → ablative
Nominalized structures obey the same syntactic rules as standard noun phrases.
Examples
A) Accusative (Object Position)
Natural Form:
Ödeme yapılmasını bekliyoruz.
Morphological Form:
ödeme yapıl-ma-sı-n-ı bekliyoruz
English:
We are waiting for the payment to be made.
B) Dative (Goal / Direction)
Natural Form:
Hazırlanmasına karar verildi.
Morphological Form:
hazır-la-n-ma-sı-n-a karar verildi
English:
A decision was made for it to be prepared.
C) Advanced Stacking (Genitive Chain)
Natural Form:
Stratejik hedeflerin belirlenmesinin önemi büyüktür.
Morphological Form:
stratejik hedef-ler-in belir-le-n-me-si-n-in önemi büyüktür
Micro-morphology of “belirlenmesinin”:
belir- (verb root: to appear)
-le- (verb-maker: to determine)
-n- (passive)
-me- (nominalizer)
-si (possessive)
-n- (pronominal joint)
-in (genitive case)
English:
The importance of determining strategic goals is significant.
D) Causative + Passive Nominalization
Natural Form:
Sürecin hızlandırılmasına karar verildi.
Morphological Form:
süreç-in hız-lan-dır-ıl-ma-sı-n-a karar verildi
Micro-morphology of “hızlandırılmasına”:
hız- (noun root)
-lan- (verb-maker)
-dır- (causative)
-ıl- (passive)
-ma- (nominalizer)
-sı (possessive)
-n- (pronominal joint)
-a (dative case)
English:
A decision was made to accelerate the process.
Notes
The -mAk form cannot take possessive or case markers and cannot enter nominal chains.
Passive nominalization is standard in Turkish professional discourse to foreground process over agency.
The pronominal -n- is obligatory before all case markers, including the genitive.
Case Marking on Nominalized Structures – FAQ (B2)
Q: Why do nominalized structures take case markers in Turkish?
A: Case markers allow nominalized actions to function as objects, goals, locations, or sources in a sentence. Once case-marked, they behave like regular noun phrases according to verb valency.
Q: What is the fixed morphological order for case marking on nominalized forms?
A: The order is nominalized base + possessive + pronominal –n– + case marker. The pronominal –n– is obligatory and links possessive morphology to the case system.
Q: How is case choice determined on nominalized structures?
A: Case choice depends on the requirements of the main verb. For example, istemek selects accusative, karar vermek selects dative, and dolayı / yüzünden select ablative.