Breakdown of Sular kesilmekle kalmayıp doğal gaz da kesildi.
su
water
kalmak
to stay / to be left / to remain (in a state)
de
too, also (de/da) / even if (concessive particle after conditional) / and (linking clauses)
gaz
gas
doğal
natural
kesilmek
to be cut off
Questions & Answers about Sular kesilmekle kalmayıp doğal gaz da kesildi.
How exactly does kesilmekle kalmayıp translate to 'wasn't just cut off'?
This is the core of the -mAkla kalmayıp structure, which means 'not only [doing X]'. Let's break it down: kesilmek (to be cut) + -le (with) + kal- (to stay or remain) + -ma (not) + -(y)ıp (the converb meaning 'and'). Literally, it means 'not remaining with being cut off (and instead going further)'. In natural English, this becomes 'not just being cut off'.
Why is water plural (sular) here? Isn't water uncountable?
In Turkish, when talking about the municipal water supply (like the water coming from your taps), it is almost always pluralized as sular. You will frequently hear the set phrases sular kesildi (the water is off) or sular geldi (the water is back on). Natural gas (doğal gaz) or electricity (elektrik), however, remain singular in these contexts.
Both halves of the sentence use the passive verb kesilmek. Does the grammar structure require the passive?
The structure itself doesn't require the passive, but this specific context does. Since water and gas cannot cut themselves, they are the subjects receiving the action. If you used the active voice (like kesmekle kalmayıp), it would mean some unnamed subject was actively cutting the water, rather than focusing on the utilities being cut.
Could we drop the da after doğal gaz?
Technically yes, but it would sound incomplete. The structure -mAkla kalmayıp sets up a 'not only X...' expectation. The da (too or also) provides the '...but also Y' payoff. Without da, the sentence loses its natural rhythm and conversational emphasis.
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