What is Korean verb modifier: How verb modifier works in grammar?

What is Korean verb modifier? Korean verb modifiers refer to elements in a sentence that modify the verb by providing additional information about the action or event occurring. These modifiers can be in the form of words or phrases placed before or after the verb. 


Korean verb modifiers, commonly known as "Verb Endings" or "Verb Modification," constitute a significant aspect of Korean grammar that changes the meaning of verbs. These modifiers express time, state, and the connection between the verb and the subject/object in the sentence. 

Verb modifiers are frequently utilized to indicate tense, mood, or aspect in a sentence. Common examples of verb modifiers include -아/어요, -겠-, -잖아, and others. Mastery of such modifiers is critical to proper and versatile Korean speaking and writing.

Similar to the preceding sentence structure, "ㄴ / 은" is employed to replace the final syllable "다" of a verb. However, he usage varies: "은" is used for verbs ending in vowels, while "는" corresponds to verbs ending in consonants. This nuanced variation ensures accurate conveyance of past tense within different linguistic contexts.

~는 것 Present Form

In Korean grammar, "는 것" in Present Form is used as a verb modifier to describe the current situation. 
The use of "는 것" Present Form helps provide a more precise time context and describes the action that is taking place in the sentence. Such as:
  • 먹다 > 먹는 > eat
  • 웃다 > 웃는 > smile
  • 공부하다 > 공부한 > study
  • 쓰어지다 > 쓰러진 > fall 
To explain nouns or objects using adjectives, we can use simple sentences like the following:
> 먹는 여자
    (The girl who eats)
> 웃는 사람
    (The smile people)
> 공부한 학생
    (The student who studies)
> 쓰러진 가방
    (The fallen satchel)
 
When should one use "는 것" in a sentence? To clarify the sentence's subject when it is not the primary focus, "이" or "가" should be used. When ~ 는 것 is part of an explanatory sentence, "이" or "가" should consistently be used on the conversational subject to ensure coherence and precision in conveying the intended message. For example:
> 제가 점령 한 의자 
   (The chair I occupy)
> 내가 만나는 친구
   (Friends I meet)
> 내가 버리는 책
   (Books I'm throwing away)

The examples above will be more natural if you use a sentence like these:
  • 내가 만나고 있는 친구 = Friends I'm seeing
  • 내가 만나고 있는 친구 는 예뻐 = The friend I'm seeing is pretty.
  • 내가 버리고 있는 책 은 비싸 = The books I'm throwing away are expensive

~는 것 Past Sentences (~ ㄴ / 은 것)

Similar to the preceding sentence structure, "는" or "은" replaces the final syllable 다 of a verb. Nevertheless, the difference lies in use: "은" is employed for verbs ending in vowels, whereas "는" is employed for verbs ending in consonants. This subtle variation ensures precise expression of past tense in various linguistic settings.

Example:
> 내가 가져온 책
   (the book that I used to carry)
> 내가 먹은 음식
   (food that I used to eat)
> 내가 가져온 책 은 졌어 졌어
   (The book I was carrying was missing)

Previous Lesson: 

How to Say "Before", "After" and "Since". 

~는 것 future (~ ㄹ / 을 것)

In Korean grammar, the "는 것" Future Form (~ㄹ / 을 것) is utilized as verb modifiers to express future actions or situations. This structure implies that an action will occur after the current time or in the future. Below are some examples of the utilization of "는 것" Future Form as verb modifiers.
> 내가 지나갈 거리
   (the road that I'm going to take)
> 내가 읽을 책 
   (the book I'm going to throw away)
> 내가 기억할 이야기 
   (a story that I will remember)

The use of the "는 것" Future Form helps to detail the timing of upcoming events in the sentence, giving a view of the anticipated action.

~ 는 것

The name for everything you learn in this lesson is "는 것" (or ~ ㄴ 것 for past tense and ~ ㄹ 것 for future tense sentences.
제가 먹는 음식 = Food that I eat
제가 먹은 음식 = Food that I eat
내가 그린 그림 = the painting that I drew


Then, when "는 것" can be used in a sentence? The answer is that when we want to convert part of a sentence into a noun, we have to add "는 것" to a clause like the following example:
1. 저는 안경을 원하다 (I want glasses)
2. 저 [로사는 안경을 사다] 원하다 (I want Rosa to buy glasses)


However, the sentence is still not perfect. Because we have to change the clause into nouns first. Let's look at the following examples:
> 저는 [안경]을 원 하다
    I want [glasses]
> 저는 [로사 는 안경 을 사는 것] 을 원 하다
    I want [Rosa to buy glasses]
> 저는 로사 는 안경 을 사는 것을 원 하다
    I want Rosa to buy glasses

Look at the other examples below:
> I like books (나는 책 을 좋아해)
> I read a book (나는 책 을 읽어)
> I (read a book) like (나는 (책 을 읽은 것을) 좋아해)
> I like to read books (나는 책 을 읽은 것을 좋아해)
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