V+도록

Overview

V+도록 is a versatile Korean grammatical ending that connects a preceding action or state to a subsequent one, primarily indicating purpose, desired outcome, or the extent/degree of an action. It describes the manner or condition under which an action is performed, leading to a specific result or state.

---

Usage

1. Expressing Purpose or Goal ('so that', 'in order to') This is the most common use of V+도록. The action in the main clause is performed with the intention of achieving the condition or action described in the V+도록 clause. It focuses on the result or state that the preceding action aims to bring about.

• 예: 학생들이 잘 이해하도록 선생님이 쉽게 설명해 주셨어요. (The teacher explained it simply so that the students could understand well.)
• 예: 잊지 않도록 메모해 두세요. (Please make a note so that you don't forget.)

2. Expressing Extent or Degree ('to the point where', 'until') V+도록 can indicate that an action or state continues or occurs to a certain limit or degree. It describes the intensity or duration of an action, often implying that it reaches a specific extreme or endpoint.

• 예: 목이 쉬도록 노래를 불렀어요. (I sang until my voice was hoarse.)
• 예: 밤새도록 비가 와서 길이 미끄러워요. (It rained all night, so the road is slippery.)

3. Used in Commands or Suggestions (V+도록 하다) When combined with 하다 (to do), as in 'V+도록 하다', it forms a polite command or suggestion, meaning 'to make sure to do V' or 'to do V so that...'.

• 예: 다음 주까지 숙제를 끝내도록 하세요. (Please make sure to finish your homework by next week.)

---

Conjugation Rules

V+도록 is straightforward to conjugate as it attaches directly to the verb stem, regardless of whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant.

• Verb Stem + 도록

---

Knowledge Plus

• Distinction from V-게: V+도록 and V+게 are often interchangeable when expressing purpose or result. However, V+도록 often emphasizes the extent or degree more strongly, or the achieved state/condition. V+게 is generally more versatile and can also modify adjectives, while V+도록 primarily connects verbs to express purpose or result.
• Common Fixed Expressions: You'll frequently encounter V+도록 in set phrases such as '알도록 하다' (to let someone know), '잊지 않도록' (so as not to forget), or '열심히 하도록 노력하다' (to try hard to do something diligently).
• Negative Form: To express a negative purpose or result, use the form V-지 않도록 (so that one does not V). For example, '늦지 않도록 일찍 출발했어요.' (I departed early so that I wouldn't be late.)