Learn Hardcore Turkish: Ben patrondan ek süre talebinde bulunuyorum.

In Turkish the personal ending on the verb already indicates the subject, so ben (I) is usually optional. You can include ben for emphasis or clarity. The sentence is perfectly fine as Patrondan ek süre talebinde bulunuyorum without ben.

Why is patrondan in the ablative case (-dan)? Can't we use another case?

When you request something from someone in Turkish, the person you’re asking takes the ablative marker -den/-dan (indicating source). So patrondan means from the boss. Using dative (patrona) or a bare noun would be ungrammatical here.

What does ek süre mean? How does ek work?

ek is an adjective meaning additional or extra, and süre means time or period. Together, ek süre means additional time or an extension.

Why do we say talebinde bulunuyorum instead of simply talep ediyorum?

Both are correct but differ in style:

talep etmek is a direct verb meaning to request.
talepte bulunmak (or talebinde bulunmak) is an idiomatic, more formal construction—literally “to be in a request.”
Using talebinde bulunuyorum sounds more official or polite in business contexts than talep ediyorum.

Can you break down the structure of talebinde bulunuyorum?

Sure.
• talep (noun root: “request”)
• -i (3rd person possessive; needed before locative) → talebi
• -nde (locative: “in”) → talebinde (“in the request”)
• bulun (verb root: “to be present”)
• -uyor (present continuous suffix)
• -um (1st person singular ending)
Together, bulunuyorum = “I am making/presenting.”
Full phrase talebinde bulunuyorum = “I am making a request.”

Is bulunmak always “to make” in this phrase? I thought bulunmak means “to be” or “to exist.”

You’re right—bulunmak normally means to be found, exist, or be located. In the idiom talebinde bulunmak, however, it combines with talep to mean “to make a request.” Outside such fixed expressions, bulunmak retains its usual meaning.

What about word order? Could I say Ben ek süre patrondan talebinde bulunuyorum?

Yes, Turkish word order is flexible. You can say:
• Ben patrondan ek süre talebinde bulunuyorum
• Ben ek süre talebinde bulunuyorum patrondan
• Patrondan ben ek süre talebinde bulunuyorum
All convey the same idea, though the first is the most neutral in formal contexts.

Are there synonyms for talebinde bulunmak? Maybe a less formal alternative?

Yes. Common alternatives include:
• rica etmek – “to request,” very polite/formal
• istemek – “to want/ask for,” more neutral
• talep etmek – “to request,” direct
• istekte bulunmak – similar in structure to talepte bulunmak
Choose based on formality: rica etmek is softer than talep etmek, and talebinde bulunmak is quite formal.

Can I drop the -i suffix and say talepte bulunuyorum instead of talebinde bulunuyorum?

Yes. The more common form is talepte bulunmak:
talep + -te (locative) + bulunmak → talepte bulunmak.
This avoids the possessive suffix and is widely used in both speech and writing.