Middle School - Grade 8
Lesson 18: Expressing Conjecture
-(으)ㄹ 것 같다
"I Think..." / "It Seems Like..."
How do you express an opinion, guess, or assumption in Korean? One of the most common and versatile ways is using the pattern `-(으)ㄹ 것 같다`.
It literally means "it is like the thing that will/is/was...", but translates naturally to "**I think...**", "**It seems like...**", "**It looks like...**", or "**It probably...**". It's used to soften your statement and indicate that it's your opinion or guess, rather than a definite fact.
The Conjugation Rules
This pattern uses the noun-modifying forms you learned earlier (`-(으)ㄴ`, `-는`, `-(으)ㄹ`) combined with `것 같다` (lit. "like the thing").
Rule 1: Adjectives / 이다 (Present)
Use the Adjective Modifier `-(으)ㄴ` form.
Adj Stem + (으)ㄴ 것 같다
Noun + 인 것 같다
예쁘다 (vowel) 예쁜 것 같아요
("I think it's pretty" / "It seems pretty")
작다 (consonant) 작은 것 같아요
("I think it's small" / "It seems small")
학생이다 학생인 것 같아요
("I think (he/she) is a student")
Rule 2: Action Verbs (Present)
Use the Present Verb Modifier `-는` form.
Verb Stem + 는 것 같다
가다 가는 것 같아요
("I think (he/she) is going" / "It seems like (he/she) is going")
먹다 먹는 것 같아요
("I think (he/she) is eating" / "It seems like (he/she) is eating")
Rule 3: All Verbs/Adjectives (Past)
Use the Past Modifier `-(으)ㄴ` form (same as adjective present).
Past Stem + (으)ㄴ 것 같다
갔다 간 것 같아요
("I think (he/she) went" / "It seems like (he/she) went")
먹었다 먹은 것 같아요
("I think (he/she) ate" / "It seems like (he/she) ate")
예뻤다 예뻤던 것 같아요 (*Note: Sometimes `-던` is used for past adjectives)
("I think it was pretty")
Rule 4: All Verbs/Adjectives (Future/Guess)
Use the Future Modifier `-(으)ㄹ` form.
Stem + (으)ㄹ 것 같다
가다 갈 것 같아요
("I think (he/she) will go" / "It seems like (he/she) will go")
먹다 먹을 것 같아요
("I think (he/she) will eat" / "It seems like (he/she) will eat")
예쁘다 예쁠 것 같아요
("I think it will be pretty" / "It seems like it will be pretty")
Examples in Action
PRESENT ADJECTIVE
이 옷이 좀 작은 것 같아요.
I think these clothes are a bit small.
PRESENT VERB
밖에 비가 오는 것 같아요.
It seems like it's raining outside.
PAST VERB
그 사람이 벌써 간 것 같아요.
I think that person already left.
FUTURE GUESS
내일은 날씨가 좋을 것 같아요.
I think the weather will be good tomorrow.
Middle School Complete!
Great job! You've learned how to express your guesses and opinions. This wraps up the grammar for Grade 8 and the entire Middle School section. Get ready to move on to High School, where we'll tackle advanced concepts like Passive and Causative voice!