ㄹ/을지도 모르다 (possibility) - Might, May

This pattern is actually made of two parts. First, we have the -ㄹ/을지 part. This indicates an uncertain question or doubt. Then, we have 모르다, which means "to not know." When you put them together, you are literally saying, "I don't know if it will [do something]." In practice, it just means "it might." It is a B1 level grammar because it requires you to understand verb stems. You can use it with verbs, adjectives, and even nouns. It covers the past, present, and future. It feels a bit more uncertain than other patterns. If ㄹ 것 같다 is a 70% guess, ㄹ/을지도 모르다 is more like a 30-40% guess. It is the "shrug" of Korean grammar. Use it when you want to sound cautious. It is like looking at a cloudy sky and saying "It might rain," rather than "It's going to rain."

1. 1Using this grammar is like building with Lego blocks. You just need the stem and the right ending. Follow these simple steps:
2. 2Find the verb or adjective stem. This means dropping the 다 at the end.
3. 3Look at the last letter of the stem.
4. 4If the stem ends in a vowel or the letter ㄹ, add ㄹ지도 모르다. For example, 가다 becomes 갈지도 모르다 (might go).
5. 5If the stem ends in a consonant, add 을지도 모르다. For example, 먹다 becomes 먹을지도 모르다 (might eat).
6. 6For Nouns, simply add 일지도 모르다. For example, 선물 becomes 선물일지도 모르다 (might be a gift).
7. 7For the Past Tense, use 았/었을지도 모르다. For example, 했다 becomes 했을지도 모르다 (might have done).
8. 8It is very consistent! Just remember that ㄹ irregulars drop the ㄹ before adding the ending. So 만들다 becomes 만들지도 모르다, not 만들을지도 모르다. Yes, even native speakers sometimes have to pause and think for a split second on those!

This grammar is your best friend in many real-world scenarios. Use it when you are predicting the future with low confidence. If you are ordering food and aren't sure if it's spicy, say 매울지도 몰라요 (It might be spicy). It warns your friend without being dramatic. Use it when you are worrying about something. "I might be late" is 늦을지도 몰라요. It is much softer than saying "I am late." Use it for asking directions. If someone asks where the bank is, and you think it moved, say 이사했을지도 몰라요 (It might have moved). It protects you from being wrong! It is also great for job interviews. If you are asked about a skill you are still learning, you could say "I might need some help with that initially." It shows humility and self-awareness. It is like a grammar traffic light—the yellow light that says "proceed with caution, I am not totally sure!"

Don't use this for things you are certain about. If you are standing in the pouring rain, don't say 비가 올지도 몰라요. It makes you sound like you are joking or perhaps very confused. Use 비가 와요 instead. Also, avoid using it in official commands or instructions. A doctor wouldn't say "This medicine might work" if they are sure it will. It sounds unprofessional if used for basic facts. "The sun might rise tomorrow" sounds like a line from a sci-fi movie where the world is ending. Keep it for subjective guesses and genuine uncertainties. Also, try not to over-use it in one conversation. If every sentence is a "maybe," you might sound a bit indecisive. Use it when you truly have a doubt.

One big mistake is mixing up the vowel and consonant rules. Beginners often say 먹지도 몰라요 instead of 먹을지도 몰라요. Don't forget that 을! Another mistake is using the wrong tense. If you want to say someone "might have already left," you must use the past tense 갔을지도 몰라요. If you say 갈지도 몰라요, you are talking about the future. Also, watch out for the ㄹ irregulars. They are tricky little things. 살다 (to live) becomes 살지도 몰라요, not 살을지도 몰라요. Think of it like a puzzle—if the pieces don't click smoothly, check your stem ending! Finally, remember that this isn't for "ability." If you want to say "I can do it," don't use this. This is only for "possibility."

How is this different from ㄹ 것 같다 or ㄹ 수도 있다? This is a common point of confusion. Think of it as a scale of certainty. ㄹ 것 같다 is the most common way to say "I think..." or "It seems..." and it feels quite strong. It is your go-to for opinions. ㄹ 수도 있다 means "It is possible" or "It could happen." It sounds more like a logical possibility. ㄹ/을지도 모르다, however, has the lowest certainty. It carries a nuance of "I really don't know, but..." or "There is a chance." If ㄹ 것 같다 is a sunny day with one cloud, ㄹ/을지도 모르다 is a foggy morning where you can't see the road clearly. Choosing the right one changes the whole vibe of your sentence.