……
Breakdown of Aylardır bu projeye katkı sağlıyorum.
bu
this
proje
the project
katkı sağlamak
to contribute
-ye
to
aylardır
for months
Questions & Answers about Aylardır bu projeye katkı sağlıyorum.
What does Aylardır mean, and how is it built?
It means “for months (up to now).”
- Morphology: ay (month) + -lar (plural) + -dır (copular suffix used here as a duration marker).
- Nuance: It implies the action has been ongoing for a long time and still continues.
Why is the tense progressive (sağlıyorum) if the English feels like “have been …ing”?
Turkish uses the present continuous -yor with a duration adverb like Aylardır to express the English present perfect continuous. So katkı sağlıyorum with Aylardır = “I have been contributing.”
Can I use another tense with Aylardır?
Yes, to shift the time reference:
- Aylardır … sağlıyordum = I had been contributing (then).
- Aylardır … sağlamıyorum = I haven’t been contributing for months.
- More formal present: … sağlamaktayım.
What’s the difference between Aylardır, Aylarca, and …dan beri?
- Aylardır: for months (and it still holds now).
- Aylarca: for months (a long time), not necessarily up to now; often used for past spans too.
- X’den/den beri (e.g., Hazirandan beri): since X (specific starting point) and continuing to now.
How do I say “for two months” or “for a few months”?
- İki aydır (not “iki aylardır”; numerals take singular).
- Birkaç aydır (not “birkaç aylardır”).
Why is it projeye and not proje-e?
Turkish inserts the buffer consonant -y- between vowels. Proje + -e (dative) → projeye (“to the project”).
Why does katkı have no -ı/-i accusative ending?
Because it’s an indefinite direct object (“a contribution” in a general sense). If made definite, you can mark it: gerekli katkıyı sağlıyorum (“I’m providing the necessary contribution”).
What case does katkı sağlamak govern?
It’s typically “provide a contribution to X,” so:
- Object: katkı (indefinite).
- Target: X’e (dative). Example: bu projeye katkı sağlıyorum.
Is katkı sağlamak the only/most natural way to say “contribute”?
It’s common and formal-ish. Alternatives:
- katkıda bulunmak (very standard/formal): bu projeye katkıda bulunuyorum.
- destek vermek/sunmak (give/offer support): more everyday.
- katkı sunmak (offer a contribution): common in formal writing.
Is katkı yapmak or katkı koymak acceptable?
- katkı yapmak: widely heard but often criticized as less idiomatic.
- katkı koymak: colloquial/regional; understood, but less formal. Prefer katkıda bulunmak/katkı sağlamak in careful speech/writing.
Can I use katılmak instead of katkı sağlamak?
No. Katılmak means “to join/attend/participate in,” not “to contribute.” Projeye katılıyorum = “I’m joining/participating in the project,” which is different from contributing resources/effort.
Does word order change the emphasis?
Yes:
- Aylardır bu projeye katkı sağlıyorum: time span emphasized first.
- Bu projeye aylardır katkı sağlıyorum: topic “this project” foregrounded. Meaning remains the same; order tunes focus.
How do I pronounce some tricky parts?
- sağlıyorum: ğ lengthens the preceding vowel; it’s not pronounced as a hard consonant (roughly “sa:lıyorum”).
- projeye: the j is like the “s” in “measure.”
- ı in katkı/sağlıyorum is the undotted back vowel [ɯ], not like English “i.”
Is a comma after Aylardır required?
No. Aylardır bu projeye… is fine without a comma. A comma can be used for extra pause/emphasis but isn’t necessary.
Can I turn this into a negative or a question?
Yes:
- Negative: Aylardır bu projeye katkı sağlamıyorum (“I haven’t been contributing for months.”)
- Question: Aylardır bu projeye katkı sağlıyor musun? (“Have you been contributing to this project for months?”)
More from this lesson
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Turkish grammar?”
Turkish grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning TurkishMaster Turkish — from Aylardır bu projeye katkı sağlıyorum to fluency
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.
- ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
- ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
- ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
- ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions