Case suffix choices: four short practice questions

The idea

Choose the job of the noun before checking the sounds. In these sentences, a specific object takes the accusative, a destination the dative, a location the locative, and a starting point the ablative. Then check the word ending. The linked suffix lessons give the full forms.

Examples

• Bugün müzeye gidiyoruz.Today we are going to the museum.
• Öğrenciler koridorda bekliyor.The students are waiting in the corridor.
• Otobüs duraktan kalkıyor.The bus is pulling away from the stop.
• Bu kitabı dikkatle okuyorum.I am reading this book carefully.
• Boş kutuyu rafa koyuyorum.I am putting the empty box on the shelf.
• Akşam işten dönüyorum.I return from work in the evening.

Watch out

Vowel harmony cannot decide between işe dönüyorum (I am returning to work) and işten dönüyorum (I am returning from work). Both are grammatical. Use the intended meaning to decide whether work is the destination or the starting point.

Try it yourself

1. Bu film___ izliyorum. — I am watching this film. (filmi / filme / filmde)

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   filmi

   filmi: bu identifies a particular film, and that film is what you are watching. It is the direct object, so use -i; filme would mark a direction or recipient.

2. Sepeti masa___ koyuyorum. — I am putting the basket onto the table. (masada / masadan / masaya)

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   masaya

   masaya: the table is where you put the basket. It is the destination of the placement, not merely the place where an action happens. The vowel-ending masa needs y before -a.

3. Kediler bahçe___ oynuyor. — The cats are playing in the garden. (bahçeden / bahçede / bahçeye)

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   bahçede

   bahçede: the cats are already playing in the garden; the sentence does not describe entering or leaving it. The last vowel e gives -de.

4. Şimdi iş___ dönüyorum. — I am returning from work now. (işe / işten / işte)

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   işten

   işten: work is the place you are returning from. İşe would reverse that relation and mean returning to work. After the voiceless ş, the suffix starts with t.

Use it today

For each gap, write the complete word from the options. Name its job in the sentence, then explain why one of the other options does not fit the intended meaning.