Choosing the Right Time
When describing a noun with an action verb, look for time clues in the situation. Words like "every day" ( 매일 ), "yesterday" ( 어제 ), or "tomorrow" ( 내일 ) help you decide which modifier form to use.
Instead of memorizing abstract grammar names, match the action's timeframe to the correct ending:
-는 (present/habit)
-(으)ㄴ (past/completed)
-(으)ㄹ (future/plan)
Present and Habitual Actions (-는)
Use -는 when the action is happening right now, or when it is a repeated habit.
Look for these clues:
매일 (every day)
자주 (often)
지금 (now)
Examples:
Action · Modifier Phrase
매일 읽어요 (I read every day) · 매일 읽는 책 (the book I read every day)
지금 일해요 (I work now) · 지금 일하는 사람 (the person working now)
Completed Actions (-(으)ㄴ)
Use -(으)ㄴ when the action has already finished. If the verb stem ends in a vowel, use -ㄴ . If it ends in a consonant, use -은 .
Look for these clues:
어제 (yesterday)
아까 (earlier)
작년에 (last year)
Examples:
Action · Modifier Phrase
어제 샀어요 (I bought it yesterday) · 어제 산 책 (the book I bought yesterday)
어제 먹었어요 (I ate yesterday) · 어제 먹은 음식 (the food I ate yesterday)
Future Plans (-(으)ㄹ)
Use -(으)ㄹ when the action has not happened yet, but is planned or expected. If the verb stem ends in a vowel, use -ㄹ . If it ends in a consonant, use -을 .
Look for these clues:
내일 (tomorrow)
주말에 (on the weekend)