Must be: -ㄹ/을 게 분명하다

At its heart, this pattern combines three parts. First, you have the -ㄹ/을 suffix, which points toward the future or a presumptive state. Then, you have 게, which is actually a shortcut. It's a contraction of 것이. Finally, you have the adjective 분명하다, which means "to be clear" or "to be certain." When you put them together, you're literally saying "the thing that [verb/adjective] is certain." It acts like a grammar magnifying glass. You aren't just saying "it might happen." You are saying the evidence is so strong that the result is inevitable. It’s like a grammar traffic light that’s stuck on green—there’s no stopping this conclusion! You can use it with verbs, adjectives, and even nouns.

1. 1Conjugating this is pretty straightforward, but you need to watch those tail-end consonants.
2. 2For Verbs/Adjectives ending in a vowel: Add -ㄹ 게 분명하다 to the stem.
3. 3가다 (to go) → 갈 게 분명하다 (Certain to go)
4. 4예쁘다 (to be pretty) → 예쁠 게 분명하다 (Certain to be pretty)
5. 5For Verbs/Adjectives ending in a consonant: Add -을 게 분명하다 to the stem.
6. 6먹다 (to eat) → 먹을 게 분명하다 (Certain to eat)
7. 7작다 (to be small) → 작을 게 분명하다 (Certain to be small)
8. 8For Nouns: Add -일 게 분명하다 to the noun.
9. 9범인 (criminal) → 범인일 게 분명하다 (Certain to be the criminal)
10. 10For Past Tense: Use -었/았을 게 분명하다 to express certainty about something that already happened.
11. 11왔다 (came) → 왔을 게 분명하다 (Certain to have come)
12. 12Special Note: For ㄹ irregulars like 만들다, just add 게 분명하다 directly → 만들 게 분명하다.

Use this when you have solid reasons for your opinion. Imagine you are at a job interview. You see a candidate walk out with a huge smile and a thumbs up. You'd say, 합격할 게 분명해요 (They’re certain to pass). Or maybe you’re ordering food at a place known for its spice levels. You see red peppers all over the menu. You can confidently say, 매울 게 분명해요 (It’s bound to be spicy). It’s perfect for scenarios where the outcome feels like a logical necessity. Use it when discussing sports results, weather changes, or even your friend’s reaction to a surprise party. If the evidence is there, this grammar should be too. It shows you're paying attention to the world around you.

Don't use this if you are just tossing a coin in your head. If you're only 50% sure, -ㄹ 것 같다 is a much safer bet. Also, avoid using it for your own immediate, first-person intentions where logic isn't the primary driver. For example, don't say 나는 점심을 먹을 게 분명하다 to mean "I will definitely eat lunch." That sounds like you're an AI analyzing your own biological needs! It’s also a bit too strong for very delicate social situations where you want to sound humble or indirect. If your boss asks if a project will be late, saying 늦을 게 분명합니다 might sound a bit too blunt or pessimistic unless you have undeniable proof.

The most frequent slip-up is forgetting the 게 or mixing it up with 기. Remember, it’s 게 (from 것이). Another common oopsie is using the present tense -는 instead of -ㄹ/을. Even if you are talking about a current state, like "he is definitely a student," we still use the presumptive -일 form: 학생일 게 분명해요. Also, watch out for irregulars! Don't say 돕을 게—it should be 도울 게 분명하다. Yes, even native speakers mess this up when they're rushing, but you’re better than that! Think of the -ㄹ as the "logic link" that connects the subject to the certainty.

How does this stack up against the competition?

• -ㄹ 것 같다: This is the "maybe" cousin. Use it for general guesses or polite opinions. It’s like saying "I think..."
• -나 보다 / -(ㄴ/은)가 보다: This is the "I see it, so I guess it" pattern. It’s heavily based on immediate visual observation. 비가 오나 봐요 means "I see wet umbrellas, so it must be raining."
• -ㄹ 게 분명하다: This is the heavy hitter. It’s the "I’ve calculated the odds and it’s 99%" pattern. It feels more intellectual and firm than the others. While -나 보다 is about what you see, -ㄹ 게 분명하다 is about what you *conclude*.