Learn Hardcore Turkish: Monitör titreyince teknisyen gelip kabloları kontrol etti. - When the monitor flickered, the technician came and checked the cables.

The suffix -(y)ınca/ince/unce/unca makes an adverbial time clause meaning “when,” “once,” or “whenever.” So Monitör titreyince means “When the monitor flickered/trembled.” It’s relative to the main clause in time and doesn’t carry its own tense; the main verb (etti) supplies the past time reference.

Why is there a “y” in titreyince?

It’s a buffer consonant to prevent two vowels from meeting. The verb stem ends in a vowel (titre-), and the suffix begins with a vowel (-ince), so Turkish inserts -y-: titre-y-ince.
Compare:

gelince (no buffer, stem ends in consonant: gel- + -ince)
arıyınca (ara- + -yınca)
The exact vowel in the suffix follows vowel harmony: -ınca/-ince/-unca/-ünce.

How does -ince compare with -diğinde, -ken, and the “as soon as” pattern?

-ince: neutral “when/once/whenever,” often with a cause–effect feel.
Example: Monitör titreyince teknisyen geldi.
-diğinde: more formal/explicit “when” (“at the time that”).
Example: Monitör titrediğinde teknisyen geldi.
-ken: “while/during,” simultaneous overlap.
Example: Monitör titrerken teknisyen geldi = “While it was flickering, the technician came.”
“As soon as”: use -er…-mez or “start…as soon as.”
Examples:
- Monitör titremeye başlar başlamaz teknisyen geldi.
- (Less common here) Monitör titrer titremez teknisyen geldi.

Do I need a comma after Monitör titreyince?

It’s recommended to put a comma when the adverbial clause comes first, for readability:
Monitör titreyince, teknisyen gelip kabloları kontrol etti.
If the -ince clause comes at the end, a comma often precedes it:
Teknisyen gelip kabloları kontrol etti, monitör titreyince.

What does -ip in gelip do?

-ip links verbs into a chain with the same subject and usually implies sequence: “V1 and then V2.” Here, gelip = “(he) came and (then) …” before kontrol etti. It’s concise and natural for ordered actions: gelip bakmak, giyinip çıkmak, etc.

Can I say geldi ve kontrol etti instead of gelip kontrol etti?

Yes. Geldi ve kontrol etti is fully correct. Nuance:

-ip is tighter and often suggests quick sequence.
ve is neutral coordination and allows different subjects on each side if needed (e.g., Teknisyen geldi ve ben kabloları kontrol ettim). With -ip, the subject stays the same.

How do we know who did both actions in teknisyen gelip kabloları kontrol etti?

With -ip chains, the understood subject of the -ip verb and the following finite verb is the same. The explicit subject teknisyen controls both gelip and kontrol etti. If you wanted different subjects, you wouldn’t use -ip; you’d use ve or a new clause.

Why is kabloları marked with -ı?

It’s the accusative marker showing a definite direct object: kablo-lar-ı = “the cables.” In Turkish, definite objects take accusative; indefinite objects are typically unmarked:

Definite: kabloları kontrol etti = “(he) checked the cables.”
Indefinite: birkaç kablo kontrol etti = “(he) checked a few cables” (no accusative).

Could kabloları mean “his/her/their cables”?

Not in this exact form as an object. For a possessed object, Turkish adds an extra -n- before the case:

“his/her cables” (accusative): kablolarını
“their cables” (accusative): also kablolarını
So kabloları kontrol etti is understood as “checked the cables.” Possessive readings are made explicit with a pronoun if needed: onun kablolarını kontrol etti.

Can I drop gelip or say this in another way?

Yes, depending on what you mean:

If physical arrival isn’t important: Monitör titreyince teknisyen kabloları kontrol etti.
If you want “came to check” (purpose): Monitör titreyince teknisyen kabloları kontrol etmeye geldi.
If you prefer a full coordinator: Monitör titreyince teknisyen geldi ve kabloları kontrol etti.

Could I use gelerek instead of gelip?

Generally no, not for simple sequence. -erek often expresses manner or simultaneity (“by/while doing”). Gelerek kabloları kontrol etti leans toward “by coming, he checked the cables,” which is odd. For “came and then checked,” use -ip or ve.

How flexible is the word order here?

Turkish is flexible, but some orders are more natural. Common variants:

Monitör titreyince, teknisyen gelip kabloları kontrol etti. (given)
Teknisyen, monitör titreyince, gelip kabloları kontrol etti.
Monitör titreyince, teknisyen kabloları kontrol etti. (drops “came”) Placing the -ince clause first is very natural for setting the scene.

How would I say this as a general rule (whenever it happens)?

Use the aorist in the main clause(s):

Monitör titreyince teknisyen gelir, kabloları kontrol eder.
= “Whenever the monitor flickers, the technician comes and checks the cables.”

Why kontrol etti and not kontrol yaptı?

Many nouns form light-verb compounds with etmek, and they’re fixed expressions. The standard is kontrol etmek (“to check/inspect”). Past tense is kontrol etti; note the gemination: etmek → etti (not “edti”).

How do I negate parts of this sentence?

Negate the -ince clause: Monitör titremeyince teknisyen gelmedi. = “When the monitor didn’t flicker, the technician didn’t come.”
Negate the -ip chain: teknisyen gelmeyip kabloları kontrol etti = “not coming (first), he checked the cables” (uncommon here; better to coordinate: Teknisyen gelmedi, kabloları da kontrol etmedi/etti.)