Questions & Answers about Yaşlı adam sendeledi ve masayı devireyazdı.
How is devireyazdı constructed to mean "almost knocked over"?
It uses the approximative compound verb structure. The root devir- (from devirmek, to knock over) takes the linking vowel -e followed by -yazdı (the past tense of the auxiliary -yazmak). Together, devireyazmak describes an action that came very close to happening but ultimately did not.
Does the -yazdı part of devireyazdı have any connection to the verb "to write"?
No, none at all! While yazmak independently means "to write", when attached to another verb root with the buffer -(y)A, it acts purely as an auxiliary verb meaning "almost". This is a special grammatical pattern, not a combination of meaning.
Can I just use a word like neredeyse instead of this compound verb?
Yes, absolutely! In modern, everyday spoken Turkish, people usually prefer to say neredeyse masayı devirdi or az kalsın masayı deviriyordu. The -(y)Ayazmak suffix is perfectly understood but sounds a bit more literary, dramatic, or regional compared to those alternatives.
Why does masa take the accusative suffix to become masayı here, even though the action of knocking it over didn't actually happen?