Korean Grammar Point
~할 것이다 [hal geosida] (Will)

~할 것이다 [hal geosida] (Will)

Short explanation:

Used to express that an event will occur in the future.

Formation:

Verb Stem + ~(으)ㄹ 것이다

Examples:

눈이 계속 이렇게 오면 학교가 내일은 문을 닫을 것이다.
Nuni gyesok ireohge omyeon hakgyoga naeireun muneul dateul geosida.
If it keeps snowing like this, the school will close tomorrow.
체육대회가 다가오므로 우리들은 더 열심히 연습할 것이다.
Cheyukdaehega dagao moreo urideureun deo yeolsimhi yeonseuphal geosida.
As the sports meet is approaching, we will practice harder.
지난 학기보다 이번 학기 성적이 더 좋을 것이다.
Jinan hakgiboda ibeon hakgi seongjeogi deo joeul geosida.
This semester's grades will be better than last semester's.
오늘 밤에 별이 많이 보일 것이다.
Oneul bame byeoli mani boil geosida.
A lot of stars will be visible tonight.

Long explanation:

'~할 것이다 [hal geosida]' is a future tense marker in Korean. It is usually attached at the end of a verb to indicate that something is going to happen or will happen in the future. '~할 것이다' also implies the speaker's wish, intention, or prediction about the future event. The speaker's assumption or judgment can also be expressed with this structure.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: ~할 것이다 [hal geosida] (Will)

Korean Grammar Point: ~할 것이다 [hal geosida] (Will)

Korean Grammar Point: ~할 것이다 [hal geosida] (Will)

1. Introduction

Expressing future actions is essential in any language. In Korean, one common way to indicate the future tense is by using ~할 것이다 [hal geosida], which translates to "will" in English. This grammar point is fundamental for conveying intentions, plans, or predictions.


2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

~할 것이다 is used to express an action that will happen in the future. It indicates:

  • Intentions: What someone plans to do.
  • Predictions: What someone expects to happen.

Structure

The construction combines a verb stem with a future tense marker and 것이다.

Formation:

  1. Verb Stem + -(으)ㄹ + 것이다
    • If the verb stem ends in a vowel: Add -ㄹ 것이다
    • If the verb stem ends in a consonant: Add -을 것이다

Formation Diagram:

Verb Stem (Dictionary Form) Ends With Future Marker Combined Form
가다 (to go) Vowel -ㄹ 것이다 갈 것이다
먹다 (to eat) Consonant -을 것이다 먹을 것이다
읽다 (to read) Consonant -을 것이다 읽을 것이다
보다 (to see) Vowel -ㄹ 것이다 볼 것이다

3. Comparative Analysis

Comparison with Similar Grammar Points

  1. ~겠다:
    • Usage: Expresses intention, spontaneous decision, or assumption.
    • Example: 제가 도와드리겠습니다. (I will help you.)
    • Nuance: More formal and immediate.
  2. ~하려고 하다:
    • Usage: Indicates an attempt or plan to do something.
    • Example: 내일 공부하려고 해요. (I plan to study tomorrow.)
    • Nuance: Focuses on the plan rather than the action itself. Differences:
  • ~할 것이다 emphasizes a future action or event that is expected to happen.
  • ~겠다 often conveys immediate intention or willingness.
  • ~하려고 하다 highlights the intention or attempt to do something.

4. Examples in Context

Formal (존댓말)

  1. 저는 내년에 한국에 갈 것입니다.
    • I will go to Korea next year.
  2. 회의는 오후 3시에 시작할 것입니다.
    • The meeting will start at 3 PM.

Informal Polite (해요체)

  1. 비가 올 거예요.
    • It will rain.
  2. 친구를 만날 거예요.
    • I will meet a friend.

Informal Casual (반말)

  1. 나 중학교에 입학할 거야.
    • I will enter middle school.
  2. 주말에 영화 볼 거야.
    • I will watch a movie on the weekend.

Written Context

  1. 이 제품은 곧 출시될 것입니다.
    • This product will be launched soon.
  2. 다음 주에 결과를 발표할 것입니다.
    • We will announce the results next week.

Spoken Context

  1. 그는 곧 올 거예요.
    • He will come soon.
  2. 시험이 어려울 거야.
    • The exam will be difficult.

5. Cultural Notes

Levels of Politeness and Formality

Korean language emphasizes respect and hierarchy through speech levels. The ending of ~할 것이다 changes based on the level of politeness:

  • Formal Polite: ~할 것입니다
    • Used in formal settings, business, presentations.
  • Informal Polite: ~할 거예요
    • Common in everyday conversation among peers.
  • Casual: ~할 거야
    • Used among close friends or to someone younger.

Idiomatic Expressions

  • 꿈은 이루어질 것이다.
    • Dreams will come true.
  • 시간이 해결해 줄 것이다.
    • Time will solve it.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

  1. Using the Wrong Future Marker
    • Mistake: 가다 → 가을 것이다
    • Correction: 가다 → 갈 것이다
  2. Forgetting Politeness Levels
    • Mistake: Formal setting but saying 할 거야
    • Correction: Use 할 것입니다 in formal contexts.

Learning Strategies

  • Mnemonic Device: Think of 것이다 as "thing is" — so 할 것이다 literally means "will do is" leading to "will do".
  • Practice Politeness Levels: Create sentences with different endings to get comfortable with switching formality.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • ~할 것이다 is used to express future actions or events.
  • Attach -ㄹ 것이다 to vowel-ending verb stems, -을 것이다 to consonant-ending verb stems.
  • Adjust endings (-거야, -거예요, -것입니다) based on politeness levels.

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. Convert to future tense using ~할 것이다: 마시다 (to drink)
    • Answer: 마실 것이다
  2. Is the following sentence formal or informal?
    • 우리는 다음 주에 만날 거예요.
    • Answer: Informal Polite
  3. True or False: ~할 것이다 and ~하려고 하다 have the same meaning.
    • Answer: False (They both refer to future actions but have different nuances.)

Feel free to practice by creating your own sentences using ~할 것이다 and experiment with different verbs and politeness levels!

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