Questions & Answers about Herkes bu teleskobu kullanırdı.
Why does teleskop become teleskobu in this sentence?
Two things happen here. First, teleskop takes the accusative case suffix -u because it is the specific direct object of the verb (everyone used this specific telescope). Second, adding a vowel suffix to a word ending in p triggers consonant mutation, changing the hard p to a soft b.
Since herkes means everyone, why isn't the verb plural (kullanırlardı)?
In Turkish, the pronoun herkes (everyone/everybody) is always treated as a grammatically singular subject. Because of this, the verb takes the third-person singular form, just like it would for o (he/she/it).
How do the suffixes on kullanırdı create the meaning "would use"?
This verb uses a compound tense. To the root kullan- (to use), we add the aorist (broad time) suffix -ır, followed by the past tense suffix -dı. Together, the aorist and past tense create the "past habitual" mood, which translates to "used to do" or "would do" something as a regular habit in the past.
Could I say kullanıyordu instead of kullanırdı?
Yes, but it changes the feeling slightly. Kullanıyordu uses the continuous suffix -yor and means "everyone was using it" (focusing on an ongoing action at a specific time in the past). Kullanırdı sounds more like a general, long-term habit or a characteristic feature of that era.