Learn Hardcore Turkish: Öğretmen, yazılı soruların her birini örneklemek için benzer cümleler istedi. - The teacher asked for similar sentences to exemplify each written question.

yazılı means “written.” It’s the passive participle used as an adjective. You start from the verb root yaz‑ (“to write”), add the passive suffix ‑ıl, then the adjective‑forming vowel ‑ı, yielding yaz‑ıl‑ı → yazılı. Thus yazılı soru = “written question.”

Why does yazılı soruların take the genitive suffix ‑ın?

The phrase yazılı soruların her birini means “each of the written questions.” In Turkish, when you express “each of X,” X must be in the genitive case. So sorular (“questions”) gets ‑ın to become soruların, marking “of the questions.”

Why is her birini used instead of her biri, and why does it have the accusative suffix ‑ni?

her biri means “each one.” Here it functions as the direct object of örneklemek (“to exemplify”). Turkish marks definite/specific objects with the accusative suffix. By adding ‑ni to biri, you get her birini = “each one (as an object).”

What does örneklemek için mean, and why is the infinitive form used?

‑mek için attaches to a verb to form a purpose clause: “in order to + verb.” So örneklemek için = “in order to exemplify.” The infinitive örnekle‑mek + için clearly shows the teacher’s purpose in requesting sentences.

Why is benzer cümleler unmarked for the accusative (no ‑i suffix)?

In Turkish, indefinite or nonspecific direct objects usually do not take the accusative suffix. benzer cümleler (“similar sentences”) here means “some similar sentences,” so it remains in the bare plural. If the teacher had asked for specific, known sentences, you would say benzer cümleleri.

What nuance does istedi carry here? Does it mean “wanted” or “asked for”?

The verb istemek can mean both “to want” and “to ask for.” In this teaching/request context, istedi is best translated as “asked for.” So the sentence means “The teacher asked for similar sentences…”

Why does the verb istedi appear at the end of the sentence?

Turkish follows a Subject‑Object‑Verb (SOV) word order. While you can move elements like objects or adverbs around for emphasis, the finite verb almost always comes last. Hence istedi closes the clause.

Can we rephrase yazılı soruların her birini örneklemek için as her bir yazılı soruyu örneklemek için? Are both acceptable?

Yes. Both versions mean “in order to exemplify each written question.” You can either split her biri off from the noun phrase (yazılı soruların her birini) or place her bir directly before the noun (her bir yazılı soru). The meaning remains the same; it’s mainly a stylistic choice.

Is the comma after Öğretmen necessary?

No, it’s optional. The comma simply indicates a brief pause or topicalises Öğretmen at the start. You can equally write:
Öğretmen yazılı soruların her birini örneklemek için benzer cümleler istedi.