-madığını/-mədiyini
Negative Factual Complement
The -madığını/-mədiyini pattern creates a negative factual noun clause. It translates to 'that [someone] did not [do something]' or 'that [someone] is not [doing something]' when used as the object of verbs like 'to know', 'to see', or 'to say'.
How It Works
The -madığını/-mədiyini pattern is essential for reporting non-facts or negative perceptions. Unlike the infinitive-based negative, this pattern emphasizes the factuality of the non-occurrence.
1. Morphological Breakdown:
The construction follows a strict sequence:
- Verb Stem: The base action.
- Negative Suffix: -ma / -mə (follows 2-way vowel harmony).
- Factual Participle: -dıq / -dik. Note that the final 'q' or 'k' changes to 'ğ' or 'y' when followed by a vowel-starting possessive suffix.
- Possessive Suffix: Shows who didn't do the action and must agree with the genitive subject (e.g., -ı/-i for 'his/her').
- Buffer 'n': Specifically required when a case marker follows the 3rd person possessive suffix (e.g., -ını, -lərində).
- Case Marker: Usually the Accusative, but can change based on the main verb's requirements.
2. The Genitive Subject:
In Azerbaijani, the subject of a nominalized clause must be marked with the genitive case. For example, in 'Onun gəlmədiyini bilirəm' (I know that he didn't come), 'onun' is the genitive subject. Note that in natural conversation, the genitive subject pronoun is often omitted because the possessive suffix on the participle usually identifies the subject. However, because the 2nd and 3rd person singular forms are homophonous (e.g., gəlmədiyini can mean 'that you didn't come' or 'that he/she didn't come'), the genitive pronoun (sənin vs. onun) is frequently kept to resolve this ambiguity.
3. Tense and Aspect:
While it often refers to the past, it is aspectual and can refer to a present state depending on the main verb. To express a future negative, use the negative forms -mayacağını / -məyəcəyini (the negative version of the future content nominalization).
4. Usage with Different Cases:
While most verbs of cognition take the accusative, some verbs require the dative case, changing the ending to -madığına/-mədiyinə.
Examples (4)
- Onun gəlmədiyini bilirəm.
I know that he didn't come (or isn't coming).
Word by Word: His not-coming-(fact)-his-(acc) I-know.
Here, the negative factual clause acts as the direct object of the verb 'to know'.
- Məktubun hələ çatmadığını öyrəndik.
We learned that the letter had not arrived yet.
Word by Word: Letter-genitive yet not-arriving-(fact)-its-(acc) we-learned.
The subject of the sub-clause (the letter) is in the genitive case, and the participle takes the 3rd person possessive.
- Sənin heç nə demədiyini hamı gördü.
Everyone saw that you didn't say anything.
Word by Word: Your nothing not-saying-(fact)-your-(acc) everyone saw.
Because the subject is 'you' (2nd person singular), the participle takes the 2nd person possessive suffix '-in' followed by the accusative '-i', resulting in '-diyini'. This happens to look identical to the 3rd person singular form.
- Bizimlə gəlmədiyinə təəssüf edirəm.
I regret that you are not coming with us.
Word by Word: With-us not-coming-(fact)-your-(dat) regret I-do.
Note the use of the dative case (-ə) because the verb 'təəssüf etmək' requires it.
Common Mistakes
Omitting the possessive suffix.
Gəlmədini bilirəm.Gəlmədiyini bilirəm.In Azerbaijani, the factual participle must always have a possessive suffix to indicate the subject of that clause before the case marker is added.
Confusing factual negative with future negative.
Sabah gəlmədiyini dedi.Sabah gəlməyəcəyini dedi.Use -madığını for past/present facts. For future intentions or events, use the future complement -mayacağını.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the negative factual complement (-madığını/-mədiyini), learners must first be familiar with the affirmative factual complement (-dığını/-diyini) and how negation is formed in Azerbaijani verbs using -ma/-mə. Additionally, knowledge of how to link possessive suffixes to case markers using the buffer 'n' is essential for correctly forming the suffix chain.
- -dığını/-diyini (tamamlıq)Factual Complement Clause
The negative factual complement is the negative counterpart of the affirmative factual complement, sharing the same structure of a participle followed by a possessive suffix and the accusative case.
Level 4 - -madı/-mədiNegative Simple Past
The negative factual complement uses the negative suffix -ma/-mə, which is the same marker used for simple past negation.
Level 2 - -n-Buffer N After Possessive
This pattern requires the use of the buffer 'n' between the third-person possessive suffix and the accusative case marker.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- -acağını/-əcəyini (tamamlıq)Future Complement Clause
The future tense equivalent, used for reporting things that will not happen.
Level 4 - Genitive-possessive noun phrase
The subject of these complement clauses is often marked with the genitive case, forming a relationship with the possessive on the participle.
Level 2 - ki (tamamlıq cümləsi)Complement Clause with Ki
An alternative way to form complement clauses using the conjunction 'ki', though it uses a different sentence structure.
Level 5
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice -madığını/-mədiyini in Bubblegum
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