Question 1

How does the word güçlendi break down, and how does the -len suffix work here?

Accepted Answer

The root is the noun güç (strength/power). Adding the denominal verb suffix -len (from the -lAn family) turns it into a verb that means "to acquire a state," so güçlenmek means "to become strong" or "to gain strength." Finally, -di is the past tense suffix, giving us "got stronger."

Question 2

Could we use güçleşti instead of güçlendi in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

No, and this is a common mix-up! The root güç can mean "strength" (noun) but also "difficult" (adjective). When you use the -lAn suffix (güçlenmek), it means "to become strong." If you use the -lAş suffix (güçleşmek), it means "to become difficult." Since the choir is gaining strength, we must use güçlendi.

Question 3

What is the grammar behind the repeated phrase yapa yapa?

Accepted Answer

This is a repeated action adverb (or gerund) created by adding -a or -e to a verb root and doubling it. From yapmak (to do/make), yapa yapa means doing it continuously or repeatedly. Combined with pratik, pratik yapa yapa means "by practicing over and over."

Question 4

Why is there an -ı and a -yla at the end of yardımıyla?

Accepted Answer

It originates from the noun compound şefin yardımı (the conductor's help), where yardım (help) takes the possessive suffix -ı. To say "with the help," we add the instrumental marker ile. When attached directly to a word ending in a vowel, ile drops its "i" and uses a buffer -y-, forming yardımıyla.

Koro şefin yardımıyla pratik yapa yapa güçlendi.

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