ㄹ/을 (future modifier) - Future/Prospective Modifier

This grammar acts like an adjective for verbs. In English, we usually put these descriptions after the noun. We say "the book to read" or "the food I will eat." In Korean, the description always comes before the noun. You take a verb and turn it into a modifier. This modifier then hugs the noun that follows it. It tells us the noun's relationship to a future action. It is not a full sentence on its own. It needs a noun to describe and a final verb. Think of it as a bridge between a verb and a noun. It is like a label on a box for later. It is very common in daily life and professional settings.

1. 1First, find the verb stem by removing 다.
2. 2If the stem ends in a vowel, add ㄹ.
3. 3가다 (to go) becomes 갈.
4. 4보다 (to see) becomes 볼.
5. 5If the stem ends in a consonant, add 을.
6. 6먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹을.
7. 7읽다 (to read) becomes 읽을.
8. 8Watch out for the ㄹ irregular verbs.
9. 9For 만들다 (to make), just use 만들.
10. 10The existing ㄹ stays, and you don't add another.
11. 11Handle the ㄷ irregular verbs carefully.
12. 12듣다 (to listen) changes ㄷ to ㄹ and adds 을.
13. 13It becomes 들을. It sounds like music to your ears.
14. 14For ㅂ irregulars like 돕다 (to help).
15. 15Change ㅂ to 우 and add ㄹ to get 도울.

Use this when you have a specific future plan. If you have a "place to go," use 갈 곳. It is perfect for describing your upcoming schedule. Use it for items with a specific future purpose. Think of "water to drink" (마실 물) during a hike. It is also great for expressing your intentions. In a job interview, talk about "work I will do" (할 일). Use it when you are predicting something about a noun. If you see a "movie that will be fun," use 재미있을 영화. It works well when asking for favors or making suggestions. Use it to define roles, like "the person to lead."

Do not use this for things happening right now. For current actions, you must use the 는 modifier. If you are eating bread now, it is 먹는 빵. Using 먹을 빵 implies you haven't started eating yet. Avoid using it for past events or completed actions. For the past, use the ㄴ/은 modifier instead. You wouldn't say "the book I will read" for yesterday's book. That would make you a grammar time traveler. Also, don't use it for general facts or habits. Stick to the present modifier for things that are always true. It is strictly for the prospective or intended future. Keep your timeline clear to avoid confusing your friends.

One common error is forgetting the noun after the modifier. You cannot just end a phrase with 갈. It needs to be 갈 사람 or 갈 곳. Another mistake is mixing up the irregular verb endings. Many people try to say 먹ㄹ instead of 먹을. Remember that consonants need the extra bubble of 을. Yes, even native speakers mess this up when tired. Don't forget the ㄹ drop rule for stems like 살다. It becomes 살 곳, not 사를 곳 or 살을 곳. Be careful not to use it with adjectives too often. Adjectives usually take a different form for future predictions. Focus on verbs for this specific modifier pattern first.

Compare ㄹ/을 with the present modifier 는. 가는 사람 is a person currently going somewhere. 갈 사람 is a person who will go later. The difference is all about the timing of the action. Compare it with the past modifier ㄴ/은. 간 사람 is a person who already left the building. Now compare it with the sentence ending ~ㄹ 거예요. The modifier ㄹ always needs a noun immediately following it. The ending ~ㄹ 거예요 finishes the whole thought at the end. Think of the modifier as a small piece of a puzzle. The sentence ending is the completed picture on the box. Use the modifier to build complex, descriptive, and clear sentences.