Unit 21: Future Tense (-(으)ㄹ 거예요)

We have learned the Present Tense (가요) and the Past Tense (갔어요). Now it is time to learn the Future Tense!

To say "I will" or "I am going to", we attach -(으)ㄹ 거예요 to the verb stem.

1. How to conjugate the Future Tense

The conjugation depends on whether the verb stem ends in a vowel or a consonant.

Rule 1: Verb stem ends in a VOWEL -> + ㄹ 거예요

If the verb stem ends in a vowel, you attach ㄹ directly to the bottom of the stem, followed by 거예요.

• 가다 (to go). Stem = 가. -> 가 + ㄹ 거예요 = 갈 거예요 (gal geo-ye-yo). = I will go.
• 보다 (to see). Stem = 보. -> 보 + ㄹ 거예요 = 볼 거예요 (bol geo-ye-yo). = I will see.
• 하다 (to do). Stem = 하. -> 하 + ㄹ 거예요 = 할 거예요 (hal geo-ye-yo). = I will do.

Rule 2: Verb stem ends in a CONSONANT -> + 을 거예요

If the verb stem ends in a consonant, there is no room at the bottom of the block to add ㄹ. So, we add the cushion block 을, followed by 거예요.

• 먹다 (to eat). Stem = 먹 (ends in ㄱ). -> 먹 + 을 거예요 = 먹을 거예요 (meo-geul geo-ye-yo). = I will eat.
• 읽다 (to read). Stem = 읽. -> 읽 + 을 거예요 = 읽을 거예요 (il-geul geo-ye-yo). = I will read.

Rule 3: The ㄹ exception

If the verb stem ALREADY ends in the ㄹ consonant, you do not add another ㄹ, and you do not add 을. You just attach 거예요!

• 놀다 (to play). Stem = 놀. -> 놀 + 거예요 = 놀 거예요 (nol geo-ye-yo). = I will play.

2. Asking Questions in the Future

Just like present and past tenses, simply raise your intonation!

• 내일 학교에 갈 거예요? = Are you going to school tomorrow?
• 뭐 먹을 거예요? = What will you eat?

Summary

• Vowel stem: + ㄹ 거예요 (할 거예요)
• Consonant stem: + 을 거예요 (먹을 거예요)
• ㄹ stem: + 거예요 (놀 거예요)