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Unit 22: Because Of The Commotion (-는 통에)

We learned -는 바람에 (unexpected cause). -는 통에 is similar, but it specifically implies that the cause was a distracting, noisy, or chaotic situation that made you lose focus or messed up your plans.

Structure

Action Verb Stem + -는 통에

  • 울다 -> 우는 통에 (Because of the crying [commotion]...)
  • 떠들다 -> 떠드는 통에 (Because of the chatting/noise...)

Rules

  1. Can ONLY be used with Action Verbs.
  2. The result MUST be negative (you were distracted, made a mistake, etc.).
  3. The final clause is usually in the past tense.

Examples

  • 아이가 우는 통에 잠을 한숨도 못 잤어요. (Because the baby was crying [making a ruckus], I couldn't sleep a wink.)
  • 옆에서 떠드는 통에 집중할 수가 없었어요. (Because they were chattering next to me, I couldn't concentrate.)
  • 사람들이 밀치고 들어오는 통에 넘어졌어요. (In the commotion of people pushing and coming in, I fell down.)