ㄹ/을 게 뻔하다

1. Title

Expressing Supposition and Possibility with “ㄹ/을 게 뻔하다"

2. Grammar Explanation

The Korean expression "ㄹ/을 게 뻔하다" is used to indicate a high level of certainty or predictability about an outcome, typically negative, based on previous experiences or obvious circumstances. It can be translated to English as "It's obvious that...", "It will surely...", or "It is clear that...". This construction reflects the speaker's judgment or assumption about a future event or situation that seems very likely to occur.

If the verb ends in a consonant, -을 게 뻔하다 is used. If it ends in a vowel, -ㄹ 게 뻔하다 is used.

Usage Notes:

1. Prediction of Unfavorable Outcomes: This expression is primarily used to predict unfavorable or undesirable outcomes.

2. Similarity to -(으)ㄹ 뻔하다: Do not confuse "-(으)ㄹ 게 뻔하다" with "-(으)ㄹ 뻔하다", which means "almost" or indicates something that nearly happened but didn't.

3. Example Sentences

1. 시험을 하나도 공부하지 않아서 결과가 나쁠 게 뻔해요.
   (Since I didn't study for the exam at all, it's obvious that the result will be bad.)

2. 그 사람이 저를 보고 실망할 게 뻔해요.
   (It is clear that he will be disappointed when he sees me.)

3. 이렇게 늦게 출발하면, 우리는 늦을 게 뻔해요.
   (If we leave this late, it is obvious we will be late.)

4. 날씨가 이렇게 더우니까 사람들이 지칠 게 뻔해요.
   (It’s clear that people will be exhausted with this hot weather.)

5. 이런 식으로 계속 일을 미루면 문제가 생길 게 뻔해요.
   (If we keep delaying work like this, it’s obvious problems will arise.)

4. Sample Dialogues

Dialogue 1

A: 내일 회의에 늦으면 어떻게 될까요? (What will happen if we are late for the meeting tomorrow?)

B: 사장님이 화를 낼 게 뻔해요. (It’s obvious the boss will be angry.)

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Dialogue 2

A: 저번에 그 식당에 갔는데 음식이 너무 별로였어. (I went to that restaurant last time, and the food was terrible.)

B: 그 식당은 남은 음식을 재탕하는 게 뻔해요.
(It’s obvious that the restaurant reuses leftover food.)

5. Make Korean Sentences from English!

1. If I don’t study hard, it’s clear I will fail the exam.

2. If we don’t leave now, we will surely miss the train.

3. It’s obvious my friend will be late again.

4. If he keeps eating like this, he will surely gain weight.

5. It’s clear that the meeting will be boring.

6. If it rains, the game will obviously be canceled.

7. It’s obvious she will be upset if we don’t invite her.

8. If you don’t call him, he will surely get angry.

9. If we go during rush hour, it’s clear there will be traffic.

10. It’s obvious the movie will be a flop given the reviews.