Possessive Constructions

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The basis of a Possessive (genitive) Construction is a noun such as iç - inside, interior.
With this we can form a Possessive Construction like - evin içi - the inside of the house.

If the motion toward (dative) , static (locative) or motion away (ablative) suffix is the added we have:
evin içine - into the house [to the inside of the house]
evin içinde - in the house [at the inside of the house]
evin içinden - from within the house [from the inside of the house]

Consider the following examples:

1. Odanın içinde yer bulup oturdu. - He found a place in the room and sat down.
2.  
3. Bu kutuda ne var? - What is in this box?
4. Bilmem, içine bakmadım. - I don't know,I have not looked inside.
5.  
6. Bankanın içinden bir ses geliyordu. - A sound was coming from inside the bank.
7. Bu odanın içindekiler birbirine sohbet ediyor. - The people in this room are chatting to each other.

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Omission of the Possessive Suffix

In many cases the suffix of Possession (genitive) may be omitted from the first noun with very little difference in meaning:

1. Fabrikanın içinde çok insan çalışıyor.
2. Fabrika içinde çok insan çalışıyor.

both mean - There are many people working in the factory.

But in other cases there is a distinction in meaning when the Possession (genitive) Suffix is omitted from the first noun.

Definite Possession

Frequently the distinction is one of definiteness (or specificity):

If the first noun carries the Possessive (genitive) Suffix, it is definite (specific) and refers to a particular specific object known to the speaker.

1. Bu hayvanlar mağaranın içinde yaşar - These animals live inside the cave. (A definite cave)
2. Eşyalarımı kutunun içine koydum - I put my things into the box (A definite box)

Indefinite Possession

If however the Possessive (genitive ) Suffix is absent then the noun becomes indefinite and is often used in a general sense:

1. Bu hayvanlar mağara içinde yaşar - These animals live inside caves. (Caves generally)
2. Eşyalarımı kutu içine koydum. - I put my things into a box/boxes (Indefinite box/boxes)

Idiomatic Forms of possession

Sometimes the Possessive Compound corresponds to an idiomatic expression:

1. Ali'nin dairesi, şehrin içinde - Ali's office is (right) in the town
2. Ali'nin dairesi, şehir içinde - Ali's office is in town (downtown - USA usage)

Metaphorical Sense

Also the Possessive (genitive) is normally omitted when it is used in a metaphorical instead of actual physical sense:

1. Bir hafta içinde kitabını bitirecek. - He will finish his book within a week.
2. İki gün içinde geri döneceğim. - I'll return inside two days.

Demonstratives are Definite

However, when the first noun is already definite (as in the case of the Demonstrative Pronouns - this and that) then it must have a Possessor (genitive) Suffix:

1. Bu şehrin içinde çok insan var. - There are many people (living) in this city.
2. Bu bahçenin içinde çok çeşit çiçek bulunur. - There are many type of flowers to be found in this garden.
3. Yangın, o adamın ofisin içinde başlamış. - The fire started in that man's office.
4. O hayvanlar su mağaranın içinde yaşar - Those animals live inside that cave.

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