Ben zamanı iyi kullanmakta zorlanıyorum.

I am having difficulty using time well.

Breakdown of Ben zamanı iyi kullanmakta zorlanıyorum.

• ben: I
• kullanmak: to use
• zaman: the time
• iyi: well
• -ta: in
• zorlanmak: to have difficulty

Questions & Answers about Ben zamanı iyi kullanmakta zorlanıyorum.

What function does -makta serve in kullanmakta?

-makta is the locative case applied to the infinitive kullanmak (“to use”), literally meaning “in using.” Turkish often expresses “having difficulty doing X” with this pattern:
• infinitive (kullanmak) + locative -ta/-te → kullanmakta (“in using”)
• kullanmakta + zorlanmak → “to have difficulty in using.”

Why is zaman marked as zamanı instead of just zaman?

The -ı on zaman is the accusative suffix, marking it as a definite direct object. Here you’re talking about a specific “time” you want to manage. Without -ı, zaman would sound indefinite (“time” in general), whereas zamanı zeroes in on “the time” you’re trying to use well.

What does zorlanmak mean, and how does it combine with the infinitive?

zorlanmak is an intransitive verb meaning “to struggle,” “to have difficulty,” or “to be strained.” It doesn’t take a direct object. Instead you say what you struggle with by using an infinitive in the locative:
• yemek yapmakta zorlanıyorum – “I’m having difficulty in cooking.”
• kullanmakta zorlanıyorum – “I’m having difficulty in using…”

Why is iyi placed before the verb rather than after it?

iyi is an adverb modifying the action “to use.” In Turkish, adverbs typically precede the verb they modify. So zamanı iyi kullanmakta literally means “in using time well,” with iyi directly before kullanmakta.

Is the pronoun Ben necessary in this sentence?

No. Turkish verbs carry person/number information in their endings. -yorum already indicates “I” and present tense, so you can drop Ben:
• Zamanı iyi kullanmakta zorlanıyorum.

How would I say “I can’t use time well” instead?

You can use the negative potential of kullanmak:
• Zamanı iyi kullanamıyorum.
That means “I can’t use time well.”
Nuance:
– kullanmakta zorlanıyorum emphasizes the ongoing struggle.
– kullanamıyorum states inability more directly.

Can I rephrase with a verbal noun instead of the infinitive?

Yes. Replace kullanmak with the verbal noun kullanma + locative -da:
• Zamanı iyi kullanmada zorlanıyorum.
Both sentences are correct; kullanmakta vs. kullanmada just use infinitive vs. verbal noun.

What’s the difference between kullanmakta zorlanıyorum and kullanırken zorlanıyorum?

Both try to express “having difficulty while using time,” but they use different gerund forms:
• kullanmakta – infinitive + locative (“in using”)
• kullanırken – adverbial participle (“when/while using”)
In practice, kullanmakta zorlanıyorum is more idiomatic for zorlanmak. kullanırken zorlanıyorum sounds a bit awkward because “using time” isn’t a momentary action you’re “in the middle of” in the same way you say yürürken zorlanıyorum (“I struggle while walking”).