The Role of -ㄹ and -을
In forms such as -(으)ㄹ 거예요 , select between -ㄹ and -을 according to how the stem ends.
In the regular pattern taught here, choose -ㄹ after a vowel-final stem and -을 after a consonant-final stem other than ㄹ .
This lesson focuses on forming the correct shape. The detailed meanings of -(으)ㄹ 거예요 are covered later.
Vowel-Final Stems: Choose -ㄹ
When the stem ends in a vowel, select -ㄹ . In the written form, ㄹ becomes the final consonant of the stem's last syllable.
가다 → 가- + -ㄹ 거예요 → 갈 거예요
보다 → 보- + -ㄹ 거예요 → 볼 거예요
마시다 → 마시- + -ㄹ 거예요 → 마실 거예요
Non-ㄹ Consonant-Final Stems: Choose -을
When the stem ends in a consonant other than ㄹ , select -을 . The 을 is written as a separate syllable after the stem.
먹다 → 먹- + -을 거예요 → 먹을 거예요
읽다 → 읽- + -을 거예요 → 읽을 거예요
입다 → 입- + -을 거예요 → 입을 거예요
Common Mistake to Avoid
A common mistake is selecting the form without checking how the stem ends.
The stem 가- ends in a vowel, so choose -ㄹ : 갈 거예요 , not 가을 거예요 .
The stem 먹- ends in a consonant other than ㄹ , so choose -을 : 먹을 거예요 . Do not try to attach -ㄹ directly to 먹- .
ㄹ -final stems follow a separate pattern outside this lesson and are covered in the Irregular Conjugation course.