To express that something "might" happen or "could" be true, Turkish uses a possibility suffix combined with the aorist tense. Because the aorist form of bilmek is always bilir, this structure always appears as -(y)abilir or -(y)ebilir, depending on vowel harmony.
- Verb Stem + -(y)abilir / -(y)ebilir
- Personal Suffix
To say "we might," attach the first-person plural suffix -iz:
| We might see the eagle with these binoculars. | Bu dürbünle kartalı görebiliriz. |
| We might find a rare bird's nest in the forest. | Ormanda nadir bir kuş yuvası bulabiliriz. |
Third-Person Subjects
For the third person (he/she/it/they), no personal suffix is added. The verb simply ends in -abilir or -ebilir:
| The bird on the tree might look at us. | Ağaçtaki kuş bize bakabilir. |
| The eagles might fly to the mountain. | Kartallar dağa uçabilir. |
Verbs Ending in a Vowel
If a verb stem ends in a vowel, insert the buffer -y- before the suffix (-yabilir / -yebilir):
| Rare birds might live in this swamp. | Bu bataklıkta nadir kuşlar yaşayabilir. |
Expressing "Might Be"
To state that something "might be" a certain way or in a specific location, attach this structure to the verb olmak (to be) to form olabilir:
| A white owl might be in that old nest. | Şu eski yuvada beyaz bir baykuş olabilir. |
| This bird's wings might be very big. | Bu kuşun kanatları çok büyük olabilir. |
Describing Behavior
This grammar pattern applies seamlessly to typical nature verbs, such as perching (konmak) or chirping (ötmek):
| The owl might perch on the tree. | Baykuş ağaca konabilir. |
| The birds in the forest might chirp in the morning. | Ormandaki kuşlar sabah ötebilir. |