Turkish grammar: ihtimal bildiren yapılar

What this grammar point covers

In Turkish, 'ihtimal bildiren yapılar' are structures used to express possibility or probability. They allow you to say that something might happen or could be true.

When to use it

Use these forms in Turkish when you want to talk about something that is possible, not certain. For example, when you are not sure if something happened, will happen, or can happen.

Key forms

• -(y)ebilir / -abilir (verb suffix): Yapabilir, Gidebilir
• -miş olabilir (past possibility): Gelmiş olabilir
• -ecek gibi (it seems like it will): Yağacak gibi

Examples

Tips

• Remember to use the correct suffix for the verb stem: -ebilir or -abilir, depending on vowel harmony.
• Do not confuse possibility (-ebilir) with ability (also -ebilir); context will help you decide.
• The structure '-miş olabilir' is used for past possibilities.

Exceptions and edge cases

• Some verbs have irregular stems when adding these suffixes (for example, 'yemek' becomes 'yiyebilir').