Su seviyesi, kanyonun zemin dokusuna bağlı olarak yükselebilir.

The water level may rise depending on the texture of the canyon floor.

Breakdown of Su seviyesi, kanyonun zemin dokusuna bağlı olarak yükselebilir.

• su: the water
• seviye: the level
• bağlı olarak: depending on
• kanyon: the canyon
• zemin: the floor
• doku: the texture
• yükselebilmek: to be able to rise

Questions & Answers about Su seviyesi, kanyonun zemin dokusuna bağlı olarak yükselebilir.

How is su seviyesi formed grammatically, and why isn’t su in the genitive?

su seviyesi is a noun–noun compound meaning “water level.” In Turkish, when you form a compound of the pattern “X of Y,” you:

• Keep Y (the possessor) bare (no case or possessive suffix).
• Put the possessive suffix on X (the possessed noun, seviye).

So:

• seviye
  • -si → seviyesi (“its level”)
• su remains unmarked (“water”)

This contrasts with a full genitive construction (suyun seviyesi), which is also correct but stylistically heavier.

What does kanyonun zemin dokusuna literally mean, and how are its suffixes built?

It means “to the canyon’s ground texture.” Morphologically:

• kanyon-un = kanyon (canyon) + -un (genitive) → “of the canyon”
• zemin = “floor/ground” (bare noun)
• doku-su = doku (texture) + -su (3rd sg. possessive) → “its texture”
• -na = dative case marker → “to/toward”

Put together: kanyon-un zemin doku-su-na → “to the canyon’s ground texture.”

Why is bağlı followed by the dative suffix -a, and what does olarak add?

• bağlı is an adjective meaning “connected/dependent.” In Turkish, adjectives like bağlı, ait (“belonging to”), etc. take the dative case on the noun they relate to: X’e bağlı = “dependent on X.”
• The -a on doku-su-na marks exactly that dative relation.
• olarak turns the adjective phrase bağlı into an adverbial phrase bağlı olarak, meaning “in a manner of being dependent on” or simply “depending on.”

How do you analyze the verb yükselebilir in terms of root, suffixes, and meaning?

yükselebilir = “it can rise/increase.” Breakdown:

• yüksel- = root meaning “rise”
• -ebil- = potential suffix “to be able to”
• -ir = present simple tense marker No explicit subject → impersonal or generic “it.”
  Combined: “(The water level) is able to rise.”

What is the function of the comma after Su seviyesi, and is it mandatory?

The comma separates a longer subject or introductory phrase from the predicate, adding a slight pause. It is not grammatically mandatory—Turkish doesn’t require a comma there—but writers often use it for clarity or emphasis, especially when the subject is long.

Could we change the word order, for example by starting with Kanyonun zemin dokusuna bağlı olarak?

Yes. Turkish word order is flexible. You can say:
“Kanyonun zemin dokusuna bağlı olarak su seviyesi yükselebilir.”
This front-positions the adverbial phrase for emphasis. You may still insert a comma after olarak, but it’s optional.

Could we replace yükselebilir with artabilir, and would the nuance change?

Yes, artabilir means “it can increase,” and fits many contexts. However:

• yükselmek is preferred for levels, heights, prices → “to rise.”
• artmak is more general → “to increase.”

Using artabilir is grammatically fine but slightly less specific to “rising.”

Are there alternative ways to express “depending on” in Turkish besides bağlı olarak?

Yes, a few options:

• -e göre: e.g. kanyonun zemin dokusuna göre (“according to the canyon’s ground texture”).
• -e bağlı (without olarak), though this reads like an adjective modifying su seviyesi directly.
• -e dayanarak: e.g. kanyonun zemin dokusuna dayanarak (“based on the canyon’s ground texture”).

Each has subtle stylistic and nuance differences but all convey “depending on” or “based on.”