From Clause to Phrase
B2
Syntax
1. Function
This lesson explains a syntactic transformation, not a morphological one. A full clause does not disappear when it becomes a phrase. It is repackaged as a single nominal block that can move freely inside another sentence.
The architectural shift is clear:
• from asserting an action
• to treating the action as an object
This allows Turkish to compress information without losing meaning.
2. Forms
A) Clause (Finite Structure)
A clause functions as a complete statement.
• It has tense
• It has agreement
• It occupies the whole sentence
Pattern:
Subject + Verb (+ Object)
B) Phrase (Nominal Block)
A phrase functions as a single unit inside another sentence.
• No tense
• No agreement
• Behaves like a noun
Pattern:
[Nominalized Action] + Case / Predicate
3. Morphology (Functional Reminder)
Morphology is not the focus of this lesson.
It is the mechanism that enables syntactic movement.
Once a clause is nominalized:
• It stops behaving like a sentence
• It becomes a movable block
• It can occupy subject or object position
The block is syntactically indivisible.
4. Structural Guide (The Block Logic)
A) One Clause → One Block
Compare:
• Kurul projeyi onayladı.
• Kurulun projeyi onaylaması
The second structure is no longer a statement.
It is a unit.
B) Block Movement (Core Insight)
The same block can move inside the sentence without internal change.
• Subject position:
Kurulun projeyi onaylaması sevindirici.
• Object position:
Kurulun projeyi onaylamasını bekliyoruz.
This confirms that the structure functions like a module, not a clause.
Visual hierarchy (Matruşka):
[[Kurul-un projeyi onayla-ma-sı]]
The entire structure moves as one piece.
5. Usage (Professional Motivation)
Clause-to-phrase conversion allows Turkish to:
• Pack multiple events into one sentence
• Control focus and distance
• Reduce repetition
• Maintain institutional tone
This is a strategy of professional efficiency, not simplification.
Examples
A) Role Shift Inside One Sentence
Clause sequence:
Kurul projeyi onayladı.
Bu bizi rahatlattı.
Compressed structure:
Kurulun projeyi onaylaması bizi rahatlattı.
Reason:
This structure shifts focus from the decision-maker to the decision itself, creating a neutral institutional tone.
B) Object Control
Clause:
Kurul projeyi onaylayacak.
Phrase-based sentence:
Kurulun projeyi onaylamasını bekliyoruz.
Reason:
This compression allows the action to be treated as an expected outcome rather than a prediction.
C) Context Chain (Professional Workflow)
Separate clauses:
Veriler toplandı.
Analiz yapıldı.
Compressed structure:
Verilerin toplanmasının ardından analiz yapılmasına geçildi.
Reason:
This structure accelerates cause–effect flow in reports by eliminating full clauses.
D) Multi-Sentence Process Compression
Original sequence:
Yeni proje onaylandı.
Hazırlanmaya başlandı.
Tamamlandı.
Sunuldu.
Compressed professional version:
Yeni projenin onaylanmasının ardından hazırlanmasına başlandı, tamamlanmasının sonrasında sunumuna geçildi.
Reason:
This compression allows long procedural sequences to be presented as a single controlled process.
Notes
• This lesson focuses on syntax, not suffix mechanics
• Nominalized clauses behave as single blocks
• The same block can function as subject or object
• Clause compression increases textual density
• This structure is central to professional Turkish
• Morphology enables the shift, syntax controls movement
From Clause to Phrase – FAQ (B2)
Q: What changes when a clause becomes a phrase in Turkish?
A: The clause does not disappear; it is repackaged as a single nominal block. It stops asserting an action and starts functioning as an object or unit inside another sentence.
Q: Why does a nominalized phrase have no tense or agreement?
A: Once a clause is nominalized, it no longer behaves like a sentence. It behaves like a noun, so tense and agreement are removed.
Q: How can the same phrase appear in different sentence positions?
A: The nominalized structure functions as a single, indivisible block. It can move as a whole and appear in subject or object position without internal change.