Core Grammar Rule: ~에 의하여
This grammar point indicates the basis, reason, or method for an action, similar to "according to," "based on," or "by" in English.
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: It attaches to a noun to show that the action in the following clause is based on that noun. It provides a formal basis or justification for something.
When to use: This is a very formal expression primarily used in written language. You will see it in news articles, legal documents, official announcements, academic papers, and formal speeches. It is almost never used in casual, everyday conversation.
Conjugation Rules
Rule: It's simple to use. Just attach ~에 의하여 directly after a noun, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant. In spoken contexts or slightly less formal writing, it is often shortened to ~에 의해.
Noun + 에 의하여
Native Nuance & Mistakes
It's crucial to distinguish ~에 의하여 from its more common conversational counterparts to avoid sounding unnatural.
~에 의하여 vs. ~에 따라 vs. ~때문에
Context: While all can indicate a reason or basis, their formality and nuance differ greatly. ~에 의하여 points to a strong, often legal or authoritative basis (e.g., 법에 의하여 - by law). ~에 따라 is also formal and means "in accordance with" a plan, rule, or change (e.g., 계획에 따라 - according to the plan). ~때문에 is the most common way to say "because of" in casual speech (e.g., 법 때문에 - because of the law).
Example: A friend would say "새로운 규칙 때문에 못 들어가." (We can't go in because of the new rule), not "새로운 규칙에 의하여 못 들어가." The second one sounds like you're reading a legal notice.
The Mistake of Overusing It
Context: The most common mistake learners make is using ~에 의하여 in casual conversation. It creates a jarring, overly formal tone, like wearing a tuxedo to a picnic. For daily speech, always opt for simpler expressions like ~때문에 (because of) or ~(으)로 (by means of).
Do: 법 때문에 바뀌었어요. (O) / Don't: 법에 의하여 바뀌었어요. (X — in casual talk)
Common Combinations
This grammar point typically appears with a specific set of formal nouns related to rules, laws, and official decisions.
Legal and Regulatory Basis
Context: You will most frequently see it paired with words related to law and regulations in official documents. Recognizing these combinations helps you quickly understand the formal basis of a statement.
Example: 헌법에 의하여 모든 국민은 법 앞에 평등하다. (According to the Constitution, all citizens are equal before the law.)
Basis of Agreement or Decision
Context: It's also used to state that something was done based on a mutual agreement or a formal vote.
Example: 이사회는 만장일치 합의에 의하여 그 안건을 통과시켰다. (The board of directors passed the motion by unanimous agreement.)
법률에 의하여 = according to the law / 규정에 의하여 = according to the regulations
Responding to Unverified News
When you hear surprising or unbelievable news, especially from an online source, it's natural to be skeptical. The dialogue shows a great pattern for questioning information before accepting it as fact.
Expressing Disbelief & Questioning the Source
Start with a strong expression of disbelief like 말도 안 돼 (No way / That's ridiculous).
Immediately ask for the source to gauge its reliability: 그거 어디서 봤는데? (Where did you see that?).
Directly question the certainty of the information: 그거 확실한 정보 맞아? (Is that information certain?).
Suggesting Alternatives & Offering to Help
Propose that it might be false: 가짜 뉴스일 수도 있잖아 (It could be fake news, you know).
If someone asks you to check, you can agree by saying: 알겠어. 내가 지금 검색해 볼게 (Okay. I'll search for it now).
말도 안 돼. / 그거 확실한 정보 맞아? / 가짜 뉴스일 수도 있잖아.
올라오다 vs. 뜨다 for Online Content
Both 올라오다 and 뜨다 are used to say something has appeared online, but they have slightly different nuances.
글이 올라오다 (A post goes up)
올라오다 literally means "to come up." In an online context, it emphasizes the action of something being uploaded or posted onto a platform like a forum, social media feed, or blog.
It implies a user or entity actively put the content there. For example: 방금 한 커뮤니티에 글 올라왔어. (A post just went up on a community site.)
자료가 뜨다 (Data appears/pops up)
뜨다 literally means "to float" or "to rise." Online, it often means something has appeared, become visible, or popped up, especially as a result of a search or a new official publication.
It focuses more on the result of the content becoming available, rather than the action of posting. For example: 시청 홈페이지에 보도자료 떴네. (A press release is up on the city hall website.)
커뮤니티에 글 올라왔어 / 홈페이지에 보도자료 떴네