ㄹ/을 텐데

1. Title

Understanding ㄹ/을 텐데: Expressing Conjecture and Supposition in Korean

2. Grammar Explanation

The grammar pattern -(으)ㄹ 텐데 is used in Korean to express conjecture, supposition, or speculation about possible situations. It combines the future tense marker ㄹ/을 with the linking expression 텐데, which can imply a contrast or an expectation.

This pattern is generally attached to a verb or an adjective stem. If the stem ends in a vowel or the consonant ㄹ, only -ㄹ 텐데 is added. If the stem ends in a consonant (other than ㄹ), -을 텐데 is used.

• Verb/Adjective (Vowel/ㄹ-ending) + ㄹ 텐데: 가다 (to go) ==> 갈 텐데

• Verb/Adjective (Consonant-ending) + 을 텐데: 먹다 (to eat) ==> 먹을 텐데

• Verb/Adjective (ㄹ ending) + 텐데: 팔다 (to sell) ==> 팔 텐데

This form is often used to speculate about what could happen in a future scenario or to express an expectation or intention, which is contrasted by another sentence indicating a different or unexpected outcome. It may also imply a subtle suggestion or wish.

3. Example Sentences

1. 비가 올 텐데 우산을 가져갈까요? (It might rain, should I take an umbrella?)

2. 내일은 더울 텐데 에어컨을 고칠까요? (It will be hot tomorrow, should we fix the air conditioner?)

3. 저녁이 많이 남았을 텐데 누가 먹었을까? (There should have been a lot of dinner left, who ate it?)

4. 새로운 영화가 재미있을 텐데 같이 볼래요? (The new movie might be interesting, shall we watch it together?)

5. 지금쯤이면 도착했을 텐데 연락이 없네요. (He should have arrived by now, but there's no contact.)

4. Sample Dialogues

• A: 이 옷이 잘 어울릴 텐데 입어 볼래요? (I think this outfit would suit you, would you like to try it on?)

  B: 감사합니다, 하지만 다른 색상이 있을 텐데 보여 주시겠어요? (Thank you, but there might be other colors, could you show them to me?)

• A: 이번 주말에 바빠질 텐데 미리 준비해 둬야겠어요. (I will be busy this weekend, I should prepare in advance.)

  B: 제가 도와드릴까요? 같이 준비하면 더 빨리 끝낼 수 있을 텐데요. (Shall I help? If we do it together, we might finish sooner.)

5. Make Korean Sentences from English!

1. Cops might visit us next week, let’s run away!

2. My friend might not be able to come tomorrow, what about meeting next week?

3. My cousin might come for dinner, let's cook.

4. My boss might review our project Monday, we should get ready.

5. My sister might visit this weekend, let's plan something fun.

6. It might be nice Saturday, let's go hiking.

7. My colleagues might meet next Tuesday, should we prepare our presentation?

8. Our neighbors might visit, should we clean the living room?

9. My grandparents might visit next month, what trips should we plan?

10. The kids might have a school show next Friday, should we make sure we go?