-alı/-əli

Since Doing Converb

Level 3

The -alı/-əli suffix is used to indicate the starting point of a period of time that continues to the present. It is most commonly translated as 'since' in English.

How It Works

The -alı/-əli duration converb is a standard way to express the time elapsed since an event occurred.

1. Formation:
The suffix follows two-way vowel harmony:

  • -alı: Used with back vowels (a, ı, o, u). Example: yaz (write) → yazalı (since writing).
  • -əli: Used with front vowels (e, ə, i, ö, ü). Example: gəl (come) → gələli (since coming).

2. Phonological Rules:
If the verb stem ends in a vowel, you must insert the buffer consonant 'y' before the suffix (e.g., oxu-y-alı).

3. Subject Marking:
Crucially, the -alı/-əli suffix is invariant and does not take personal endings. The subject of the action must be inferred from the context or explicitly stated using a personal pronoun.

4. Syntactic Requirement:
This converb typically functions as part of a larger construction that specifies a duration. It is often paired with a main verb expressing the passage of time, such as olmaq (to be/become) or keçmək (to pass), but other verbs also follow it, as in the examples. For example: Bakıya gələli üç il keçib (Three years have passed since coming to Baku).

5. Negation:
To express 'since not doing' something (often implying 'since the last time I did it'), use the negative suffix -ma/-mə before the converb. Note that the negative form always requires the buffer 'y': görməyəli (since [last] seeing).

6. Usage and Register:
While this form is common in literature and formal contexts, in everyday Baku speech, you might more frequently hear the alternative construction -andan/-əndən bəri. However, -alı/-əli is more concise and remains a vital part of the language, especially in idiomatic expressions regarding time.

Examples (4)

  1. Bakıya gələli iki il keçib.

    Two years have passed since [I] came to Baku.

    Word by Word: Baku-to coming-since two year has-passed.

    Here, 'gələli' marks the starting point of the two-year period.

  2. Səni görməyəli çox dəyişmisən.

    You have changed a lot since I [last] saw you.

    Word by Word: You-acc seeing-not-since much you-have-changed.

    The negative form 'görməyəli' is used to mean 'since the last time we met'.

  3. Müharibə başlayalı həyat çətinləşib.

    Life has become difficult since the war started.

    Word by Word: War starting-since life has-become-difficult.

    Note the buffer 'y' in 'başlayalı' because the stem 'başla-' ends in a vowel.

  4. O, kənddən köçəli heç kimlə danışmır.

    He hasn't spoken to anyone since moving from the village.

    Word by Word: He, village-from moving-since no who-with speaks-not.

    The action of not speaking started at the moment he moved.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing -alı/-əli with the necessity suffix -malı/-məli.

    Mən gələli.
    Mən gəlməliyəm.

    Learners often confuse 'gələli' (since coming) with 'gəlməli' (must come). Remember that the necessity suffix always has an 'm' in the positive form, while the duration converb only has an 'm' if it is negated.

  • Omitting the buffer 'y' after vowel-ending stems.

    Oxualı üç saat keçdi.
    Oxuyalı üç saat keçdi.

    If a verb stem ends in a vowel like 'oxu-', you must add 'y' before attaching -alı.

How It Connects

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-alı/-əliLevel 3Since Doing Converb

Learn This First

To understand the -alı/-əli duration converb, learners need to be familiar with two-way vowel harmony for suffix attachment. Semantically, it functions similarly to the postposition 'bəri' (since), but attaches directly to verb stems. Additionally, because this pattern is almost always used to state how much time has passed, knowledge of numbers and time units is essential.