-mektedir

The Formal Progressive

Level 6

The formal progressive (-mektedir) is the 'high-register' equivalent of the standard -iyor tense. It describes ongoing actions or states in official writing, news, and legal documents.

How It Works

The -mektedir pattern is used to convey a sense of professionalism, impersonality, and authority.

1. Structure:
It is formed by taking the verb stem, adding the infinitive suffix (following two-way vowel harmony), the locative case, and finally the assertive copula. Because the locative suffix -makta/-mekte always ends in 'a' or 'e', the copula only appears in two forms:

  • Verb Stem + -makta + -dır
  • Verb Stem + -mekte + -dir

Note that because the suffix ends in a vowel, the copula always starts with 'd' (never 't'). In formal prose, the assertive copula -dır/-dir is sometimes omitted, leaving just the -makta/-mekte form.

2. Negation:
To form the negative, the -me/-ma suffix is added directly to the verb stem before the infinitive: Verb Stem + -ma/me + -makta/mekte + -dır (e.g., yapmamaktadır - is not doing).

3. Person and Tense:
While the 3rd person singular is most common in writing, this pattern can be conjugated for all persons using person endings (e.g., beklemekteyim - I am waiting) and can even be used in the past tense with -(y)di (e.g., çalışmaktaydı - he/she was working).

4. Usage Contexts:

  • Academic Writing: Stating research findings or theories.
  • Journalism: Reporting news events as they unfold.
  • Legal/Official: Stating laws, regulations, or corporate statuses.
  • Formal Speeches: Used by officials to sound authoritative.

5. Nuance:
Unlike the standard progressive -iyor, which focuses on the activity itself, -mektedir often emphasizes the state of the situation. It feels more descriptive and static.

Examples (6)

  1. Şirketimiz hızla büyümektedir.

    Our company is growing rapidly.

    Word by Word: Our company fast is in the state of growing.

    This is a typical sentence found in an annual corporate report or a formal announcement.

  2. Çalışmalarımız tüm hızıyla devam etmektedir.

    Our work is continuing at full speed.

    Word by Word: Our works with all its speed is in the state of continuing.

    A common phrase used by officials or project managers in formal updates.

  3. Türkiye ekonomisi her geçen gün gelişmektedir.

    The Turkish economy is developing with each passing day.

    Word by Word: Turkey economy every passing day is in the state of developing.

    Standard journalistic style used in news broadcasts or economic articles.

  4. Bu kanun, 1 Ocak itibarıyla yürürlüğe girmektedir.

    This law enters into force as of January 1st.

    Word by Word: This law, January 1 as of, into force is entering.

    Used in legal contexts to describe the current status or upcoming implementation of a law.

  5. Bilim insanları bu konu üzerinde araştırmalar yapmaktadır.

    Scientists are conducting research on this subject.

    Word by Word: Science people this subject over researches are doing.

    Typical academic register describing an ongoing scientific process.

  6. Söz konusu proje henüz tamamlanmamaktadır.

    The project in question is not yet being completed.

    Word by Word: Word subject project yet is not in the state of being completed.

    Demonstrates the negative form (-memektedir) used in formal reporting.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -mektedir in casual conversation.

    Anne, ben şimdi yemek yemekteyim.
    Anne, ben şimdi yemek yiyorum.

    Using the formal progressive with your mother sounds robotic and unnaturally stiff. Stick to -iyor for daily life.

  • Applying 4-way vowel harmony to the -makta/-mekte part.

    Okumukta.
    Okumakta.

    The -makta/-mekte part is based on the infinitive, which only follows 2-way vowel harmony (a/e).

  • Confusing the tense with a simple locative infinitive.

    Yüzmektedir seviyorum.
    Yüzmekte zorlanıyorum.

    Without the -dir suffix, -makta/-mekte often just means 'in the act of'. It is used as an argument for verbs like 'zorlanmak' (to have difficulty in), not as a standalone tense.

How It Connects

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

-mektedirLevel 6The Formal Progressive

Learn This First

To understand the formal progressive (-mektedir), you need to know how to form the infinitive (-mek), how to apply the locative case (-de), and how the formal copula (-dir) is used to state facts in written or official contexts.