Grammar Patterns
Essential verb endings that structure your sentences.
Why Verb Endings?
A complete overview of Korean grammar isn't just about Nouns. While particles define the Actors (Subject, Object, Topic), these verb endings define the Action (Ability, Permission, Desire).
We include them here because they function identically—as suffixes that attach to your words to create meaning. Mastering both is the key to building full sentences.
Ability, permission & negation
Can, cannot, may, and the two different ways to say no.
Can / Cannot
Expresses ability or possibility.
Permission
Asking for or granting permission. 'May I...?'
Cannot (Inability)
Expresses inability — you want to, but something prevents it.
Negation (Not)
Long form negation pattern.
Intention, desire & purpose
What you want, what you plan, what you must, and why you went.
Desire (Want to)
Expresses the speaker's desire to do something.
Intention (Planning to)
Expressing an intention or plan to do something.
Suggestion (Shall we?)
Asking for someone's opinion or suggesting doing something together.
Obligation (Must)
Expressing obligation or necessity.
Purpose (Going to)
Indicates the purpose of going or coming somewhere.
Time & sequence
Before, after, while, when — and the moment one thing follows another.
Condition (If)
Expresses a condition. 'If...' or 'When...'
While doing
Indicates two actions happening simultaneously by the same subject.
Before doing
Indicates an action happens before another.
After doing
Indicates an action happens after another.
When (Time)
Indicates the time when an action or state occurs.
As soon as
Indicates that one action happens immediately after another.
Helper verbs
Verbs that attach to other verbs: doing a favour, having a go, staying put.
Doing a Favor
Indicates doing an action for the benefit of someone else.
Trying Something
Indicates trying an action out, or having experienced it before.
Resulting State
Describes the state that remains after an action has finished.
Progressive (Ing)
Indicates an action currently in progress.
Reason & linking
The connectors that carry most of everyday Korean conversation.
Because / And Then
Links two clauses as cause-and-effect, or as a connected sequence of actions.
Because (Judgement)
Gives a reason based on the speaker's own judgement or discovery.
Background / But
Sets up background information, contrast, or a soft lead-in before the main point.