göz önünde bulundurmak

The Turkish expression göz önünde bulundurmak is a sophisticated compound verb used to describe the mental process of accounting for specific factors, facts, or possibilities before making a decision or reaching a conclusion. In English, it is most accurately translated as 'to take into consideration' or 'to keep in mind.' The literal translation is quite evocative: 'to keep (something) in front of the eyes.' This imagery suggests that the subject is not merely aware of a fact but is actively looking at it, metaphorically speaking, while weighing their options. It implies a level of diligence and thoroughness that simpler verbs like düşünmek (to think) do not fully capture. This phrase is a staple in professional, academic, and serious personal contexts where deliberation is required. Whether a manager is evaluating a job candidate's experience or a traveler is considering the weather before a hike, this verb provides the necessary weight to the action of considering variables.

Literal Meaning

To keep [something] in front of [one's] eyes.

Grammatical Structure

The object being considered must take the accusative case suffix (-i, -ı, -u, -ü).

Usage Frequency

Extremely common in B1 level and above, especially in newspapers, reports, and formal discussions.

The phrase is composed of three parts: göz (eye), ön (front), and bulundurmak (the causative form of bulunmak, meaning 'to cause to be present' or 'to keep'). When you use this phrase, you are signaling that you are being objective and comprehensive. It is often used in the imperative form to give advice or in the passive form in official documents. For instance, a judge might say that certain evidence was 'kept in front of the eyes' (considered) during the sentencing. In daily life, it adds a touch of formality and seriousness to your speech. Instead of saying 'think about the price,' saying 'take the price into consideration' using this phrase makes you sound much more like a native speaker who has mastered the nuances of Turkish logic. It is particularly useful when you want to list several factors that influence a situation, often preceded by words like şunu (this), bunu (that), or gerçeği (the fact).

Furthermore, the expression can be adapted into different moods and tenses easily. In professional settings, you will frequently hear the gerund form göz önünde bulundurarak (by taking into consideration), which acts as an adverbial phrase explaining how an action was performed. This level of detail is essential for anyone aiming for a B1 or B2 level of proficiency because it moves beyond simple subject-verb-object structures into more complex, descriptive Turkish. It also reflects a cultural value in Turkish communication: the importance of showing that you have been thoughtful and have not overlooked the details. By using this phrase, you demonstrate that your perspective is wide and that you are paying attention to the 'big picture' as well as the specific 'items in front of you.'

Using göz önünde bulundurmak correctly requires an understanding of Turkish sentence structure and case markings. Because it is a transitive verb phrase, it must have a direct object. In Turkish, the direct object usually takes the accusative case suffix (-i, -ı, -u, or -ü) if it is specific. For example, if you are considering 'the weather' (hava), you must say havayı. The structure generally follows this pattern: [Object + Accusative] + göz önünde + [bulundurmak conjugated]. This consistency makes it a reliable tool for learners once the basic rule is mastered. It is also common to see this phrase used with 'olduğu gerçeğini' (the fact that...) to consider whole clauses or complex situations.

With Simple Nouns

Fiyatı göz önünde bulundurmalısın. (You should consider the price.)

With Complex Clauses

Onun genç olduğunu göz önünde bulundurmalıyız. (We must consider that he is young.)

In the Passive Voice

Tüm faktörler göz önünde bulunduruldu. (All factors were taken into consideration.)

One of the most powerful ways to use this verb is in the 'arak/erek' (by doing) form. This allows you to link a consideration directly to a resulting action. For instance, 'Zaman kısıtlılığını göz önünde bulundurarak hızlıca karar verdik' (Taking the time constraint into consideration, we decided quickly). Here, the consideration is the justification for the speed of the decision. This usage is very common in business reports and academic writing. It provides a logical flow to the sentence, showing cause and effect or rationale. Another frequent pattern is using it with the word gereklilik (necessity) or zorunluluk (obligation), as in 'Bunu göz önünde bulundurmak bir zorunluluktur' (It is a necessity to take this into consideration).

In more advanced Turkish, you might encounter the word bulundurulmak, which is the passive form. This is used when the person doing the considering is not mentioned, focusing instead on the fact that the consideration happened. For example, 'Adayın tecrübesi göz önünde bulunduruldu' (The candidate's experience was taken into consideration). This is very common in news reports regarding government policies or legal rulings. Understanding this passive shift is key to moving from B1 to C1 levels of proficiency. Finally, remember that while synonyms like dikkate almak exist, göz önünde bulundurmak is often preferred when you want to emphasize the 'presence' of a fact in your mind during a specific period of time.

You will encounter göz önünde bulundurmak in a variety of settings, ranging from formal office environments to news broadcasts and legal proceedings. In a professional Turkish office, it is the standard way to discuss variables in a project. A manager might ask their team, 'Bütçe kısıtlamalarını göz önünde bulundurdunuz mu?' (Did you take the budget constraints into consideration?). It sounds professional and measured. In the news, anchors use it to explain why the government might have made a certain decision, such as taking public opinion or economic indicators into consideration. It provides a formal 'buffer' that makes the reporting sound objective and analytical.

In the Workplace

Used during meetings, performance reviews, and strategic planning sessions.

In Education

Teachers use it when explaining grading criteria or when students are writing essays.

In Legal Contexts

Lawyers and judges use it to refer to evidence or mitigating circumstances.

In academic settings, this phrase is indispensable. When writing a thesis or an article, researchers must 'take into consideration' previous studies, limitations of their data, or specific theoretical frameworks. You will see it in the 'Conclusion' or 'Methodology' sections of Turkish academic papers. For example, 'Bu sonuçlar, örneklem büyüklüğü göz önünde bulundurularak değerlendirilmelidir' (These results should be evaluated by taking the sample size into consideration). This allows the writer to qualify their statements and show intellectual rigor. It is one of those 'prestige' phrases that instantly elevates the quality of a written piece.

Even in daily conversations between friends, the phrase appears when the topic is serious. If a friend is thinking about moving to a new city, you might say, 'Yaşam maliyetini de göz önünde bulundurmalısın' (You should also take the cost of living into consideration). It sounds more helpful and thoughtful than a simple 'think about it.' It suggests that you are giving them a specific piece of advice that they might have overlooked. In summary, while it is a 'long' phrase, its utility across different levels of formality makes it one of the most important idiomatic verbs for a Turkish learner to internalize. You will hear it in podcasts, see it in newspapers like Hürriyet or Sabah, and use it yourself to sound more articulate.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using göz önünde bulundurmak is forgetting the accusative case suffix on the object. In English, we say 'consider the risk,' where 'the risk' is the object. In Turkish, you cannot simply say 'Risk göz önünde bulundur.' You must say 'Riski göz önünde bulundur.' This small suffix is vital for the sentence to be grammatically correct. Another common mistake is confusing it with gözden geçirmek (to review/to look over). While both involve 'eyes,' gözden geçirmek is about checking something for errors or reading through it, whereas göz önünde bulundurmak is about factoring information into a mental decision-making process.

Case Marking Error

Incorrect: Hava göz önünde bulundur. Correct: Havayı göz önünde bulundur.

Confusion with 'Gözden Geçirmek'

Gözden geçirmek means to review; Göz önünde bulundurmak means to factor in/consider.

Word Order Issues

The phrase 'göz önünde' must stay together and typically comes right before the verb 'bulundurmak'.

Another nuance that learners often miss is the difference between bulundurmak and tutmak. While göz önünde tutmak is also used and means nearly the same thing, bulundurmak is slightly more formal and more common in writing. Using tutmak (to hold) makes it sound a bit more physical, whereas bulundurmak (to keep present) is the standard for 'considering' abstract concepts. Additionally, some learners try to translate 'take into consideration' literally using the verb almak (to take), resulting in phrases like 'dikkate almak' (which is correct) or incorrect inventions like 'göz önüne almak.' While göz önüne almak is sometimes heard, göz önünde bulundurmak is the more robust and widely accepted version for B1+ learners.

Lastly, a common stylistic mistake is using this long phrase when a simpler word like düşünmek (to think) would suffice. If you are just 'thinking about' what to eat for dinner, göz önünde bulundurmak is too heavy. It is reserved for factors that influence a significant choice. Using it for trivial things can make you sound overly dramatic or unnaturally formal. For example, 'Acıktığımı göz önünde bulundurarak yemek yedim' (I ate by taking into consideration that I was hungry) sounds like a legal report about a sandwich. Stick to using it for professional contexts, advice, or complex planning to ensure your Turkish sounds natural and appropriately leveled.

Turkish is rich with expressions related to thinking and considering. The most direct synonym for göz önünde bulundurmak is dikkate almak. While they are often interchangeable, dikkate almak literally means 'to take into attention.' It is slightly shorter and very common in both speech and writing. Another close relative is hesaba katmak, which literally means 'to add to the account' or 'to factor in.' This is particularly useful when talking about numbers, costs, or specific risks that might 'add' to a situation. Understanding the subtle differences between these three will help you choose the right word for the right moment.

Dikkate Almak

More common in daily speech; means 'to take notice of' or 'to consider.'

Hesaba Katmak

Used when 'factoring in' a variable, often used with risks or costs.

Göz Önüne Almak

A variation of our main phrase; slightly less formal but essentially the same meaning.

If you want to say 'to keep in mind' in a more casual way, you might use aklında bulundurmak (to keep in one's mind). This is the perfect phrase for small reminders, like 'Keep in mind that the meeting is at 2 PM.' It lacks the analytical weight of göz önünde bulundurmak but is much more natural for social interactions. On the more formal end, you might see mülahaza etmek in very old or legalistic texts, though this is rare today. For a B1 learner, mastering the 'göz' and 'dikkat' versions is the priority. The choice often comes down to the 'flavor' you want: 'göz önünde bulundurmak' feels like you are looking at a map or a list of facts, while 'dikkate almak' feels like you are paying attention to a warning or a suggestion.

In summary, while göz önünde bulundurmak is the most 'comprehensive' of these terms, you have several tools at your disposal. Use dikkate almak for general consideration, hesaba katmak for adding factors to a calculation or plan, and aklında bulundurmak for simple reminders. As you progress to C1 and C2, you will notice that authors use these synonyms to avoid repetition in long texts. For example, in a single paragraph, a writer might start by saying they 'took the data into consideration' (göz önünde bulundurmak) and conclude by saying they 'factored in the limitations' (hesaba katmak). Learning these together will significantly boost your reading comprehension and writing flexibility.