Causing outcomes (-masına sebep olmak)

Causing Outcomes (-masına sebep olmak)

In English, we often say "A causes B to happen." In Turkish, this is framed as "A leads to the happening of B." We express the outcome as a factive clause (a verbal noun) and link it to a verb of causation using the dative case.

To build this structure:

• Turn the result verb into a verbal noun using the suffix -mA / -mE.
• Add a possessive suffix to show who or what is performing the resulting action (e.g., -sI / -si for "its" or "their").
• Add the dative case suffix (-a / -e). Because you are attaching it after a third-person possessive, use the buffer letter n (-mAsIna / -mEsine).
• Complete the thought with a causative verb like sebep olmak (to cause) or yol açmak (to lead to).

Notice how ölmek (to die) becomes ölmesine (to their dying) to link with yol açar.

Causes as Factive Clauses

The "cause" of an event can be a simple noun or an infinitive. However, often the cause itself is also a factive clause (e.g., "The factories' using of chemicals").

When both the cause and the result are actions, you will see the -mAsI verbal noun structure used twice: once for the cause (the subject) and once in the dative case for the outcome.

Health and Environmental Impacts

This structure is highly useful when discussing complex cause-and-effect relationships, such as how pollution affects health.

Another helpful verb for discussing outcomes is tetiklemek (to trigger). Unlike sebep olmak and yol açmak, which require the dative case, tetiklemek takes a direct object. Therefore, the preceding word will take the accusative case (-i / -ı / -u / -ü).