gerek ... gerek(se)

Both ... and (Formal)

Level 5

The pattern gerek ... gerek(se) is a formal way to link two or more elements, showing they are equally important and inclusive. It is the academic and professional equivalent of hem ... hem.

How It Works

In formal Turkish, gerek ... gerek(se) is used to group qualities, nouns, or phrases to show their collective relevance.

1. Structure and Morphology:
The word gerek acts as a standalone marker. While the first element is always preceded by gerek, the second element can be preceded by either gerek or gerekse. The addition of the conditional suffix -se (gerekse) is very common in modern formal writing but is technically optional.

2. Parallelism:
Items linked by this pattern must maintain a parallel grammatical structure. If the first noun takes a case ending like the dative or ablative, the second noun should typically follow suit.

3. Register:
This is a high-register pattern. You will encounter it in:

  • Legal and administrative documents
  • Academic papers and formal reports
  • News broadcasts and political speeches

In daily conversation, speakers almost always prefer hem ... hem.

4. Punctuation:
According to TDK (Turkish Language Association) rules, no comma should be placed between the elements of a correlative conjunction. Writing 'gerek A, gerekse B' is a common mistake; the correct form is 'gerek A gerekse B'.

Examples (4)

  1. Gerek idari gerekse adli tahkikat başlatıldı.

    Both administrative and judicial investigations have been initiated.

    Word by Word: Both administrative both-if judicial investigation was-started.

    This is a classic legal/news sentence where two types of investigations are treated as equally relevant.

  2. Bu karar gerek yerel gerekse ulusal basında geniş yer buldu.

    This decision received extensive coverage in both the local and national press.

    Word by Word: This decision both local both-if national press-in wide place found.

    Note how 'gerek' precedes the adjectives 'yerel' (local) and 'ulusal' (national).

  3. Gerek teorik gerekse pratik açıdan konuyu inceledik.

    We examined the subject from both a theoretical and a practical perspective.

    Word by Word: Both theoretical both-if practical perspective-from subject-acc we-examined.

    The pattern links two different viewpoints, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the study.

  4. Gerek öğrenciler gerek öğretmenler bu durumdan memnun kalmadı.

    Both the students and the teachers were not satisfied with this situation.

    Word by Word: Both students both teachers this situation-from satisfied stayed-not.

    In this example, the suffix '-se' is omitted, which is also grammatically correct.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a comma between the elements.

    Gerek ailem, gerekse arkadaşlarım bana destek oldu.
    Gerek ailem gerekse arkadaşlarım bana destek oldu.

    In Turkish, correlative conjunctions (like gerek...gerek, hem...hem, ya...ya) do not take commas between the linked items.

  • Omitting the first 'gerek'.

    Elmalar gerekse armutlar çok taze.
    Gerek elmalar gerekse armutlar çok taze.

    The pattern requires 'gerek' to appear before every item in the list to establish the correlation.

  • Using the pattern in very casual settings.

    Gerek süt gerekse ekmek aldım.
    Hem süt hem de ekmek aldım.

    While grammatically correct, using 'gerek...gerekse' for grocery items sounds unnaturally stiff. Use 'hem...hem' for daily chores.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

gerek ... gerek(se)Level 5Both ... and (Formal)

Learn This First

The pattern 'gerek ... gerek(se)' is a formal correlative conjunction used to list two or more items that share the same property. To understand it, you should be familiar with basic conjunctions like 've', the informal 'both... and' structure ('hem... hem'), and how the conditional suffix '-se' can be attached to words to provide emphasis or nuance.

Words in This Pattern

gerek