How to Use “-(으)ㄹ 것이다” in Korean (Future & Guess Grammar Guide)

How to Use “-(으)ㄹ 것이다” in Korean (Future & Guess Grammar Guide)

📌 Meaning: “-(으)ㄹ 것이다” is a core Korean grammar pattern used to express future actions and predictions. It can be translated as “will,” “going to,” or “probably” depending on the context.

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📖 1. What Does “-(으)ㄹ 것이다” Mean?

This grammar has two main uses:

• Future intention → something you plan to do
• Guess or prediction → something you think will happen

Because of this flexibility, it is one of the most frequently used grammar points in Korean.

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🧩 2. Structure

• Verb + -(으)ㄹ 것이다

Formation rules:

• 받침 없음 → -ㄹ 것이다 (가다 → 갈 것이다)
• 받침 있음 → -을 것이다 (먹다 → 먹을 것이다)
• 하다 → 할 것이다

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✏️ 3. Usage ① Future Plan

Used when the speaker is talking about a planned future action.

Examples:

• 내일 한국에 갈 것이다.
  → I will go to Korea tomorrow.
• 저는 내년에 유학할 것이다.
  → I will study abroad next year.
• 이번 주말에 공부할 것이다.
  → I will study this weekend.

👉 If you want to express intention more directly, check -(으)려고 하다.

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🔮 4. Usage ② Guess or Prediction

This grammar is also used to make predictions based on assumptions or evidence.

Examples:

• 비가 올 것이다.
  → It will probably rain.
• 그 사람은 이미 집에 갔을 것이다.
  → He probably already went home.
• 시험이 어려울 것이다.
  → The exam will be difficult.

👉 For explaining reasons behind predictions, see -기 때문에.

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⚖️ 5. Difference from “-(으)려고 하다”

Grammar	Meaning	Focus
-(으)려고 하다	intend to	speaker’s intention
-(으)ㄹ 것이다	will / probably	future fact or prediction

Example:

• 한국에 가려고 한다 → I intend to go to Korea
• 한국에 갈 것이다 → I will go / I probably will go

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🔗 6. Related Grammar Connections

This grammar connects naturally with other key Korean patterns:

• 👉 -아/어서 (basic reason)
• 👉 -기 때문에 (strong reason)
• 👉 -(으)려고 하다 (intention)
• 👉 ~게 되다 (result/change)
• 👉 -(으)ㄹ수록 (the more..., the more...)

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💡 7. Common Mistakes

• Mixing intention and prediction
  ❌ 내일 갈 것이다 (when you mean “I plan to”)
  ✔️ 내일 가려고 한다 (clear intention)
• Overusing it in casual speech
  👉 In conversation, “-(으)ㄹ 거예요” is more natural.

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📌 8. Practice Sentences

Try translating these:

• I will meet my friend tomorrow.
• It will probably snow tonight.
• She will study hard.

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✅ 9. Summary

• “-(으)ㄹ 것이다” expresses future actions and predictions
• It is essential for both writing and speaking
• It connects well with other grammar like -(으)려고 하다 and ~게 되다

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📚 Related Korean Grammar

• -아/어서
• -기 때문에
• -(으)려고 하다
• ~게 되다
• -(으)ㄹ수록