Future tense: (으)ㄹ 거예요 (will, going to)

This grammar structure attaches to the end of verb or adjective stems. It consists of three parts: a future marker (으)ㄹ, a noun 거 (meaning thing/fact), and the verb 예요 (to be). When you put them together, you are literally saying "It is the fact that I will [verb]." It sounds a bit complex when translated literally, right? But in practice, it is very simple. It works with almost any action or state. You can use it to talk about yourself or other people. You can even use it to talk about the weather. It is like a grammar Swiss Army knife for the future.

1. 1Creating this form is a three-step process. First, find the verb stem by dropping 다. Second, look at the last letter of that stem. Third, pick the right ending based on that letter.
2. 2If the stem ends in a vowel, add ㄹ 거예요.
3. 3가다 (to go) becomes 갈 거예요.
4. 4보다 (to see) becomes 볼 거예요.
5. 5If the stem ends in a consonant, add 을 거예요.
6. 6먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹을 거예요.
7. 7읽다 (to read) becomes 읽을 거예요.
8. 8If the stem ends in the consonant ㄹ, just add 거예요.
9. 9살다 (to live) becomes 살 거예요.
10. 10만들다 (to make) becomes 만들 거예요.
11. 11Yes, even native speakers mess up the spacing sometimes! Just remember there is a space before 거예요. Think of it like a social distancing rule for grammar.

You will use this pattern in several real-world scenarios. First, use it for definite future plans. If you bought a plane ticket, use (으)ㄹ 거예요. Second, use it for your personal intentions. If you plan to study hard tonight, this is your go-to phrase. Third, use it for predictions based on evidence. If the clouds are dark, you can say it will rain.

Imagine you are at a job interview. The manager asks about your goals. You would say, "I will work hard" using 열심히 할 거예요. Or imagine you are ordering five cups of coffee for your friends. You can tell the barista, "I will drink them here" using 마실 거예요. It sounds confident and clear. It is perfect for talking about your next vacation or your weekend plans with friends.

There are a few times when this pattern feels a bit out of place. Do not use it when you are making an immediate promise to someone. If a friend asks for help and you decide right then, use (으)ㄹ게요 instead. (으)ㄹ 거예요 sounds more like a pre-planned fact.

Also, avoid using it for things that are happening right now. That is what the present tense is for! It might feel tempting to use it for everything, but keep it strictly for the future. Don't use it if you are unsure and just guessing wildly without any basis. There are other patterns for "maybe" or "might." This one is for things you are fairly sure about. It is like a grammar traffic light that is stuck on green—you are ready to go!

The most common mistake is the spelling of 거예요. Many people accidentally write 거에요. Remember, it comes from 이다, so it must be 예요. Another mistake is forgetting the space. It is 갈 거예요, not 갈거예요.

Another tricky part is the ㄹ irregular verbs. Some learners try to add an extra 을. For example, they might say 살을 거예요 instead of 살 거예요. If the stem already has an ㄹ, don't add another one! Just let it be. Also, watch out for ㅂ irregulars like 춥다 (to be cold). It becomes 추울 거예요. It looks weird, but you will get used to it. Think of these irregulars like spicy surprises in a meal. They keep things interesting!

You might wonder how this differs from (으)ㄹ게요. This is a classic point of confusion. (으)ㄹ 거예요 is a general statement about the future. It doesn't care much about the listener's reaction. It is just a fact. On the other hand, (으)ㄹ게요 is like a promise or a reaction to the listener.

If you say 공부할 거예요, you are saying "I'm going to study (that's my plan)." If you say 공부할게요, you are saying "I will study (because you told me to, or I'm promising you)." Use (으)ㄹ 거예요 for your blog post about your goals. Use (으)ㄹ게요 when your mom tells you to clean your room. One is a plan, the other is a commitment to a person.