Language/Turkish/Grammar/Conditional-Sentences

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Turkish → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences are an essential part of expressing possibilities, hypothetical situations, and consequences in the Turkish language. Understanding how to form and use these sentences will significantly enhance your ability to communicate and express nuanced ideas. In this lesson, we will dive into the structure, usage, and practice of conditional sentences, ensuring that by the end, you'll feel confident in integrating them into your conversations.

In this lesson, we will cover:

• What are conditional sentences?

• The structure of conditional sentences in Turkish

• Types of conditional sentences

• 20 illustrative examples

• Practical exercises to apply what you have learned

• Detailed solutions and explanations for each exercise

What are Conditional Sentences?

Conditional sentences refer to sentences that express a condition and its possible outcome. In Turkish, they often reflect situations that are uncertain or hypothetical. These sentences typically consist of two main parts:

• The condition (if-clause)

• The result (main clause)

For example, in English, we say "If it rains, I will stay home." In Turkish, this would translate to "Eğer yağmur yağarsa, evde kalırım." Here, "Eğer yağmur yağarsa" is the condition, and "evde kalırım" is the result.

The Structure of Conditional Sentences in Turkish

In Turkish, the conditional sentences are often structured using the conjunction "eğer" (if) or simply by using the suffix "-sa/-se" attached to the verb in the condition clause. The main clause follows, usually in the future tense or another relevant tense depending on the context.

1. Structure with "eğer":

• Eğer + [condition clause], [result clause].

2. Structure with suffix:

• [Verb stem] + -sa/-se + [result clause].

Here’s an example for clarity:

• Eğer ders çalışırsan, sınavı geçersin. (If you study, you will pass the exam.)

• Ders çalışırsan, sınavı geçersin. (If you study, you will pass the exam.)

Notice how both the "eğer" and the suffix can be used interchangeably.

Types of Conditional Sentences

In Turkish, conditional sentences can be categorized based on the likelihood of the condition being true. The most common types are:

1. Real Conditional: Used when the condition is likely to happen.

2. Unreal Conditional: Used for hypothetical situations that are unlikely or impossible.

3. Future Conditional: Used for discussing future possibilities.

20 Illustrative Examples

Now, let’s look at some examples to better understand how conditional sentences work in Turkish.

Turkish	Pronunciation	English
Eğer yağmur yağarsa, dışarı çıkmam.	Eɾ jɑːmuɾ jɑːɟɑɾsɑɾ, dɯʃɑɾɯ tʃɯkˈnɑm.	If it rains, I won’t go outside.
Eğer erken gelirsen, seni beklerim.	Eɾ eɾˈkɛn ɟeːliˈɾsɛn, seːni bɛkˈlæɾɪm.	If you come early, I will wait for you.
Eğer kitap okursan, bilgi sahibi olursun.	Eɾ kiˈtɑp oˈkuɾsɑn, bilˈɟi sɑːhiˈbe oˈluɾsun.	If you read books, you will gain knowledge.
Eğer onu ararsan, konuşabiliriz.	Eɾ oˈnu ɑˈɾɑɾsɑn, koˈnuʃɑbiˈliɾiz.	If you call him, we can talk.
Eğer sınavı geçemezsen, üzülmem.	Eɾ sɯˈnɑvɯ ɟeˈʧɛmɛsɛn, yzyʏlˈɛm.	If you can’t pass the exam, I won’t be sad.
Eğer hava güzel olursa, pikniğe gideceğiz.	Eɾ hɑˈvɑ ɡyˈzel oˈluɾsɑ, pɪkˈniːɡe ɡiˈdeʤɛɪz.	If the weather is nice, we will go for a picnic.
Onlar gelirse, biz de geliriz.	Onˈlɑɾ ɟeˈliɾse, biz de ɡeˈliɾiz.	If they come, we will come too.
Eğer bu kitabı okursan, çok seveceksin.	Eɾ bu kiˈtɑbɯ oˈkuɾsɑn, tʃok sɛˈveʤɛkˈsɪn.	If you read this book, you will love it.
Eğer geç kalırsan, trenin kalkar.	Eɾ ɡeˈtʃ kɑˈlɯɾsɑn, tɾeˈnɪn kɑlˈkɑɾ.	If you are late, the train will leave.
Eğer çalışmazsan, başarı elde edemezsin.	Eɾ tʃɑˈlɯʃmɑzˈsɑn, bɑˈʃɑɾɯ ˈɛldɛ edˈɛmɛsɪn.	If you don’t work, you won’t achieve success.
Eğer havalar soğursa, kalın giyinmelisin.	Eɾ hɑˈvɑlɑɾ soˈuɾsɑ, kɑˈlɯn ɡiˈjinmɛlɪsɪn.	If the weather gets cold, you should dress warmly.
Eğer işten erken çıkarsan, sinemaya gidebiliriz.	Eɾ iʃˈteːn eˈrkɛn ʧɯˈkɑɾsɑn, siˈneːmɑjɑ ɡiˈdebɪlɪɾiz.	If you leave work early, we can go to the cinema.
Eğer onu sevmezsen, üzülmem.	Eɾ oˈnu seˈvmeːsɛn, yzyʏlˈɛm.	If you don’t love him, I won’t be sad.
Eğer ders çalışmazsan, geçemezsin.	Eɾ dɛɾs tʃɑˈlɯʃmɑzˈsɑn, ɟeˈʧɛmɛsɪn.	If you don’t study, you won’t pass.
Eğer iyi bir plan yaparsan, her şey yolunda gider.	Eɾ iˈji biːɾ plɑn jɑˈpɑɾsɑn, hɛɾ ʃeɪ joˈlunda ɡiˈdeʁ.	If you make a good plan, everything will go smoothly.
Eğer bu akşam gelirsen, birlikte yemek yaparız.	Eɾ bu ɑkˈʃɑm ɡeˈliɾsɛn, biɾˈlikte jɛˈmɛk jɑˈpɑɾɯz.	If you come tonight, we will cook together.
Eğer vakit bulursan, beni ara.	Eɾ vɑˈkɪt buˈluɾsɑn, bɛˈni ɑˈɾɑ.	If you find the time, call me.

Practical Exercises

Now that we've gone through the structure and examples, let’s put your knowledge to the test with some practice exercises!

1. Translate the following sentences into Turkish using conditional sentences:

• If it snows, I will make a snowman.

• If you finish your homework, you can watch TV.

• If we go to the beach, we will swim.

2. Complete the sentences using the appropriate form of conditional sentences:

• Eğer bugün sinemaya ______ (gitmek), ______ (görmek) film çok güzel.

• Eğer yağmur ______ (yağmak), ______ (kalmak) evde.

3. Create your own conditional sentences using the following prompts:

• If you eat too much, __________.

• If she studies hard, __________.

• If they arrive on time, __________.

4. Identify whether the following sentences are real or unreal conditional sentences:

• Eğer hava güzel olursa, pikniğe gideriz.

• Eğer ben zengin olsaydım, gezerdim.

• Eğer sen çalışırsan, başarılı olursun.

5. Match the Turkish conditional sentence with its English translation:

• A. Eğer erken gelmezsen, __________

• B. Eğer kitap okursan, __________

• C. Eğer onu sevmezsen, __________

1. you will not be happy.

2. I will wait for you.

3. you will gain knowledge.

6. Fill in the blanks with the correct conditional form:

• Eğer kahvaltı ______ (yemek) zamanında, ______ (hazır) işe geç kalmazdım.

• Eğer hava ______ (soğumak), ______ (giyinmek) kalın giysi.

7. Rewrite the following sentences as conditional sentences:

• You will be tired if you don't sleep.

• She will be happy if you call her.

• They will succeed if they work hard.

8. Write a short paragraph (3-5 sentences) using at least two conditional sentences about your plans for the weekend.

9. Choose the correct form for the sentences below:

• Eğer beni ararsan, (I will help you / I helped you).

• Eğer hava güzel olursa, (we will go / we went) to the park.

10. Translate the following sentences into English:

• Eğer onu tanırsan, çok seveceksin.

• Eğer geç kalırsan, seni beklemeyeceğim.

• Eğer bu hafta sonu gelmezsen, üzülürüm.

Detailed Solutions and Explanations

Here are the solutions to the exercises provided above:

1. Translations:

• Eğer kar yağarsa, bir kardan adam yapacağım.

• Eğer ödevini tamamlarsan, televizyon izleyebilirsin.

• Eğer plaja gidersek, yüzebiliriz.

2. Completing sentences:

• Eğer bugün sinemaya gidersem, gördüğüm film çok güzel.

• Eğer yağmur yağarsa, evde kalırım.

3. Creative conditional sentences: (Answers will vary; here are some examples)

• If you eat too much, you will have a stomachache.

• If she studies hard, she will pass the exam.

• If they arrive on time, we will start the meeting.

4. Type identification:

• Real: Eğer hava güzel olursa, pikniğe gideriz.

• Unreal: Eğer ben zengin olsaydım, gezerdim.

• Real: Eğer sen çalışırsan, başarılı olursun.

5. Matching:

• A-2: Eğer erken gelmezsen, I will wait for you.

• B-3: Eğer kitap okursan, you will gain knowledge.

• C-1: Eğer onu sevmezsen, you will not be happy.

6. Fill in the blanks:

• Eğer kahvaltı yerseydim zamanında, işe geç kalmazdım.

• Eğer hava soğursa, kalın giysi giyinmelisin.

7. Rewriting sentences:

• Eğer uyumazsan, yorgun olursun.

• Eğer onu ararsan, mutlu olur.

• Eğer sıkı çalışırlarsa, başarılı olurlar.

8. Paragraph example: (Answers will vary; here is an example)

• Eğer bu hafta sonu hava güzel olursa, pikniğe gideceğim. Eğer pikniğe gidersem, arkadaşlarımla eğleneceğim.

9. Choice selection:

• Eğer beni ararsan, I will help you.

• Eğer hava güzel olursa, we will go to the park.

10. Translations:

• If you meet him, you will love him.

• If you are late, I won’t wait for you.

• If you don’t come this weekend, I will be sad.

Now you have a solid understanding of conditional sentences in Turkish, along with practical examples and exercises to reinforce your learning. Keep practicing, and soon you will feel more comfortable using these structures in conversation!

Table of Contents - Turkish Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Turkish Alphabet

• Vowels and Consonants
• Pronunciation

  ---

Basic Grammar

• Nouns
• Verbs
• Adjectives
• Pronouns

  ---

Complex Grammar

• Cases
• Participles
• Conditional Sentences

  ---

Everyday Phrases

• Greeting
• Asking for Directions
• Food and Drink
• Shopping

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Cardinal Numbers
• Ordinal Numbers
• Time

  ---

Turkish Culture

• History and Geography
• Traditions and Customs
• Cuisine
• Arts and Festivals

  ---

Daily Life

• Housing
• Family and Relationships
• Religion
• Transportation and Travel

Sources

• Lesson 46:Conditional tense in Turkish ... - MY TURKISH COURSE

Other Lessons

• Past Tense
• Nouns
• Vowels and Consonants
• Give your Opinion
• Negation
• Count from 1 to 10
• Personal Pronouns
• Prepositions
• Participles
• The Inclusive Case in Turkish

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