Choosing -ㄹ or -을 for Future Tense

In this lesson, we will learn how to build the future tense and intention form -(으)ㄹ 거예요 .

To attach this ending, you do not need to look at the last vowel. Instead, you only need to check one thing: does the verb stem end in a final consonant (batchim) or not?

When to use -ㄹ 거예요

If the verb stem ends in a vowel (meaning it has no final consonant), attach -ㄹ directly to the bottom of that final syllable, and then add 거예요 .

Dictionary Form · Stem · Conjugated Form

가다 · 가 · 갈 거예요

보다 · 보 · 볼 거예요

하다 · 하 · 할 거예요

Core takeaway: Attach -ㄹ

When to use -을 거예요

If the verb stem ends in a consonant (batchim), there is no room to attach another consonant at the bottom. Instead, you add -을 as a separate block, followed by 거예요 .

Note: Consonants that undergo irregular changes (like ㄹ-irregular) are covered in a separate course. For basic verbs with a final consonant, simply attach -을.

Dictionary Form · Stem · Conjugated Form

먹다 · 먹 · 먹을 거예요

읽다 · 읽 · 읽을 거예요

입다 · 입 · 입을 거예요

Core takeaway: Attach -을

Beginners sometimes mix up the rules or add unnecessary vowels when conjugating.

보다: The stem is 보 . Because it has no final consonant, it simply becomes 볼 거예요 . Do not write 보을 거예요 .

읽다: The stem is 읽 . Because it has a final consonant, it becomes 읽을 거예요 . Do not try to squeeze another consonant into the stem block.

Watch out: Don't mix up the rules