29 intermediate grammar patterns — connecting clauses, reported speech, passive/causative, and complex expressions.
Connecting clauses and complex sentences
-고
Connects two actions or states in sequence, meaning 'and' or 'and then'.
-아/어서
Connects clauses to express cause/reason or a natural sequential relationship.
-(으)니까
Expresses reason or cause, usable with imperative and propositive sentences.
-거나
Connects two alternatives, meaning 'or' between verb/adjective clauses.
-(으)ㄴ데
Provides background information or expresses contrast between two clauses.
-다가
Expresses an action being interrupted or switching to another action.
-자마자
Expresses that one action happens immediately after another.
-도록
Expresses purpose, goal, or degree, meaning 'so that' or 'to the point that'.
-(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라
Expresses 'not only... but also', adding information beyond what is expected.
-(으)면, -아/어야 — conditional forms
Fixed patterns and set phrases
-다고 하다
Reports what someone said as a statement (indirect quotation).
-냐고 하다
Reports what someone asked as a question (indirect quotation).
-자고 하다
Reports what someone suggested or proposed (indirect quotation).
-라고/달라고 하다
Reports commands or requests someone made (indirect quotation).
-게 하다
A periphrastic causative meaning 'make' or 'let' someone do something.
-(으)ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다
Expresses knowing or not knowing how to do something.
-(으)ㄹ래요
Expresses the speaker's casual intention or asks about the listener's preference.
-고자
Expresses formal intent or purpose, meaning 'in order to' or 'with the intention of'.
-(으)ㄴ 지
Expresses how much time has passed since an event occurred.
-아/어요, -았/었어요, -을/ㄹ 거예요, conjugation
-이/히/리/기 (피동)
Forms passive verbs by adding suffixes -이, -히, -리, or -기 to active verb stems.
-아/어지다
Expresses a change of state ('become') or forms passive expressions.
-이/히/리/기/우/추 (사동)
Forms causative verbs meaning 'to make/cause someone to do something'.
-기 (명사화)
Turns a verb into a noun form, commonly used in set expressions.
-(으)ㅁ (명사화)
Turns a verb into a formal noun form, used in written and official contexts.
보다, 만큼, 제일/가장
Build vocabulary that reinforces these grammar patterns with science-backed spaced repetition.
Start Free Trial