Istediklerinde

İstediklerinde is a Turkish verb form that functions as a temporal conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause meaning “when they wanted” or “in the times they wanted.” It is formed from the verb istemek (to want) in its past tense stem and is combined with a suffix pattern that marks a time clause with a plural subject. The exact subject of the clause is determined by the surrounding context.

Morphology and relation to similar forms: Turkish employs several -diklerinde/-dıkları/-diğinde type endings to create time clauses tied to different subjects. Istediklerinde shares this pattern with other verbs in the same class, such as geldiklerinde (when they came) or yaptıklarında (when they did). The choice of suffix reflects person, number, and tense, but the general function remains a temporal reference tied to a past or hypothetical moment.

Usage: The form is most common in written Turkish and in formal or narrative contexts. It is used to place a past or contingent action in relation to another event, often to describe sequence or conditions. In everyday speech, speakers may opt for simpler expressions such as istediğinde or istediği zaman, but istediklerinde appears in contexts where a past-plural subject is foregrounded.

Examples:

- İstediklerinde bu raporu okudular. (When they wanted, they read this report.)

- İstediklerinde bize haber verdiler. (When they wanted to, they informed us.)

Notes: Istediklerinde signals a plural subject in the temporal clause and is distinct from single-subject alternatives like istediğinde. It is part of a broader set of Turkish verb forms used to express time and condition in complex sentences.