Ability (-ebil/-abil)

Formation

The ability suffix expresses 'can' or 'be able to'. It's formed by adding -ebil/-abil (e-type harmony) to the verb stem.

Pattern: Verb stem + -ebil/-abil + tense + personal ending

Front vowels → -ebil

Back vowels → -abil

gel-ebil-iyor-um

I can come

gel + ebil + iyor + um

yap-abil-ir-sin

you can do

yap + abil + ir + sin

gör-ebil-di-m

I was able to see

gör + ebil + di + m

Negative Ability

To express 'cannot', add -me/-ma before -ebil/-abil:

Pattern: Verb stem + -me/-ma + -yebil/-yabil + tense

Note the buffer 'y' after the negative suffix.

gelemiyorum

I cannot come

gel + eme + iyor + um (contracted form)

yapamam

I cannot do

yap + ama + m (contracted present)

göremedim

I couldn't see

gör + eme + di + m (contracted)

Ability vs Permission

-ebil/-abil expresses both:

1. Physical/mental ability (can)

2. Permission (may)

3. Possibility (might)

Context clarifies the meaning.

Türkçe konuşabilirim

I can speak Turkish

Ability

Girebilir miyim?

May I enter?

Permission

Yağmur yağabilir

It might rain

Possibility

Exercises

conjugation

Conjugate 'gelmek' (to come) for 'we can' in present

Answer: gelebiliriz

gel + ebil + ir + iz = gelebiliriz

translation

Translate: I cannot read

Answer: Okuyamam

oku + yama + m = okuyamam (contracted negative)

fill in-blank

Complete: Yardım ed__? (Can you help?)

Answer: ebilir misin

et + ebil + ir + misin = edebilir misin?