Korean Grammar Lesson 17. -(으)ㄴ 것 같다, -는 것 같다, -(으)ㄹ 것 같다

A : 삼성이 런던올림픽 홍보대사로 베컴을 선정했다면서요?

B : 네, 들었어요. 베컴은 유명하니 홍보효과가 클 것 같아요.

A : 베컴은 정말 멋있는 것 같아요. 부인도 이쁘죠?

B : 네, 둘은 유명한 부부예요.

 

 

홍보(친선)대사    a goodwill ambassador     유명한   famous      홍보 효과      promotion effect

-(으)ㄴ 것 같다, -는 것 같다, -(으)ㄹ 것 같다

This pattern indicates the conjecture of the speaker. It takes different forms depending on whether

something occurred in the past, is occuring in the present, or will occur in the future.

 

현재, -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다

'-는 것 같다' is attached to the stem of the verbs and '있다/없다' to indicate the conjecture of the speaker

on what is occuring now. In case of the adjective, '-(으)ㄴ 것 같다' is attached to the adjective stem.

 

Example)

그는 매우 똑똑한 것 같다.

: He seems to be very smart.

 

과거, -(으)ㄴ 것 같다

Attached to the verb stem, it indicates the conjecture of the speaker on what occured in the past.

 

Example)

그 소설은 재밌었던 것 같다.

I guess the novel was interesting.

사람들이 많이 지쳐있었던 것 같다.

People seemed very tired.

 

미래, -(으)ㄹ 것 같다

Attached to the stem of the verb, the adjective, and '있다/없다', it indicates the conjecture of the speaker.

 

Example)

비가 올 것 같아요.

It seems that it will rain.

그 경기는 매우 재밌을 것 같아요.

I guess the game is very interesting.