Ben projeyi yakından izliyorum.

I am closely following the project.

Breakdown of Ben projeyi yakından izliyorum.

• ben: I
• izlemek: to watch
• proje: the project
• yakından: closely

Questions & Answers about Ben projeyi yakından izliyorum.

What is the role of Ben in this sentence? Is it necessary?

Ben means “I.” In Turkish, the verb ending -yorum already tells you the subject is “I,” so Ben is optional. You include it for emphasis or clarity, but you can drop it without changing the basic meaning:
• Projeyi yakından izliyorum. (“I am closely monitoring the project.”)

Why is projeyi not just proje? What does the -yi suffix do?

The suffix -yi is the accusative case marker, used when the direct object is definite or specific. Adding -yi to proje indicates “the project” (a particular one you have in mind).
• proje (project—indefinite)
• projeyi (the project—definite, direct object)

What does yakından mean, and why is there a -dan suffix?

Yakın is the adjective “near,” and adding the ablative suffix -dan turns it into an adverb meaning “from near” or “closely.” So yakından = “closely” or “at close range.” Many Turkish adverbs are formed this way (e.g. uzaktan = “from far,” “from a distance”).

How is izliyorum constructed? Can you break it down?

The verb is izlemek (“to watch, to monitor”). In the present continuous tense for “I,” you attach:
• stem + -(i)yor (progressive) + -um (1st sg).
So: izle- + -iyor + -um → izliyorum (“I am watching/monitoring”).

Why does izle- + -(i)yor become izliyor instead of izleyor or izleiyor?

Turkish vowel harmony and consonant adjustments make izle- + -(i)yor compress to izliyor. The suffix is often described as -(i)yor, and the stem-final e and suffixal i harmonize into i, giving izliyor. Then you add -um for “I”: izliyorum.

Could I move yakından around in the sentence? For example, “Ben yakından projeyi izliyorum”?

Yes. Turkish allows flexible word order, though S-O-Adv-V (Subject-Object-Adverb-Verb) is most neutral:
• Ben projeyi yakından izliyorum.
Putting the adverb before the object—Ben yakından projeyi izliyorum—is also grammatically fine, but it slightly shifts emphasis (you stress the closeness rather than the object).

What’s the difference between izlemek and bakmak? Could I say “Ben projeye yakından bakıyorum”?

Bakmak means “to look” or “to glance.” İzlemek means “to watch,” “to follow,” or “to monitor” something more attentively over time.
• projeye bakmak = “to look at the project” (a quick glance)
• projeyi izlemek = “to watch/monitor the project” (track its progress)
So “Ben projeye yakından bakıyorum” would sound like “I’m looking closely at the project” (as if it’s right in front of you), whereas izlemek conveys ongoing observation.

Could I use takip etmek instead of izlemek here? What’s the nuance?

Yes. Takip etmek literally means “to follow” or “to keep track of.” In a business or progress-tracking context, Projeyi yakından takip ediyorum is very common and perhaps even more idiomatic than izliyorum. It emphasizes systematically following updates or developments.

Why is the present-continuous used (izliyorum) rather than the simple present (izlerim)? What’s the difference?

In Turkish, -iyor (present-continuous) describes an action happening right now or around now. The simple present (aorist) -r (as in izlerim) expresses habitual or repeated actions, general truths, or abilities.
• Ben projeyi yakından izliyorum. = “I am (right now) closely monitoring the project.”
• Ben projeyi yakından izlerim. = “I (habitually) watch/monitor the project closely” (e.g. whenever it’s my job routine).