Question 1

Why does kazandığı end in just the possessive suffix without any case marker?

Accepted Answer

Because the entire clause Seçimi nasıl kazandığı (How he won the election) is the subject of the sentence. In Turkish, subject clauses use the -dIk or -(y)AcAk suffix followed by a possessive ending to show who did the action, but they take zero case (the nominative case). This is different from object clauses, which require an accusative case marker.

Question 2

I am used to seeing factive clauses with an accusative ending, like kazandığını. Would that work here?

Accepted Answer

No, because kazandığını would make the clause the direct object of a verb (for example, Seçimi nasıl kazandığını biliyorum - I know how he won the election). Since this clause is the subject (the thing that is dubious), it must remain in the nominative case with no extra case suffix.

Question 3

Why is seçimi in the accusative case if the main sentence just ends in an adjective (şaibeli)?

Accepted Answer

The accusative case on seçimi belongs to the verb kazanmak (to win) inside the embedded clause. It is the direct object of what he won. The internal grammar of the clause is kept completely separate from its role as the subject of the main sentence.

Question 4

The word oldukça looks like it comes from the verb olmak (to be) plus the suffix -dıkça. Is that what is happening here?

Accepted Answer

Historically yes, but oldukça is used here as a fixed adverb meaning 'quite' or 'rather'. While the -dıkça suffix usually implies a gradual action (like 'as long as' or 'the more'), oldukça has evolved into a standalone vocabulary word used to express degree.

Seçimi nasıl kazandığı oldukça şaibeli.

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