14.4. Verbs: Future-Presumptives in -겠-

14.4.1. How to Attach -겠-:

This lesson contains a number of verbs in the FUTURE-PRESUMPTIVE form (called ‘Future’ for short, but see the explanations below). The marker for the future is -겠-; it is a one-shape ending. Here are some examples showing how this form attaches to bases:

Base Gloss Future Base
가- go 가겠-
기다리- wait 기다리겠-
주- give 주겠-
보-  see 보겠-
드-ㄹ- lift; cost 들겠-
쓰- write; use 쓰겠-
부르- call 부르겠-
입- wear 입겠-
받- get  받겠-
찾- look for; find  찾겠-
빗- comb 빗겠-
있- stay, have  있겠-
먹- eat  먹겠-
닦-  polish 닦겠-
없-  be lacking 없겠-
읽-   read 읽겠-
젊-   be young 젊겠-
신-   wear (shoes) 신겠-
앉- sit down  앉겠-
많- be much/many  많겠-
좋- be good  좋겠-
누w- (p~w: 눕다) lie down  눕겠-
들- (t~l: 듣다)   hear 듣겠-

To make Honorific Future forms, you simply add -겠- to the honorific base:

가-  go   >  가시-      >  가시겠-
받-  get  >  받으시-  >  받으시겠-

A future base, like any base, is not a complete word by itself: it needs an ending. To make it Polite Style, you add -어요:

가-  go   >  가(시)겠어요     will go
받-  get  >  받(으시)겠어요  will get

For long negatives in the future, you use a plain -지 form and make the auxiliary 않- future:

가-  go  >  가지 않겠어요  won’t go
받-  get  >  받지 않겠어요  won’t get

As usual, the -지 form merely says what action is performed, while the negative word 않- carries the other meanings of the phrase. Also, as usual, either word (or both) may be honorific if the phrase refers to someone esteemed:

가-  go     가지     않으시겠어요
가시지  않겠어요
가시지  않으시겠어요

14.4.2. Meaning and Usage of -겠-

Although most textbooks of Korean refer to the -겠- form as a ‘future’, when it comes to meaning, the -겠- form has a variety of corresponding English expressions, none of which really corresponds fully to an English ‘future’.
The meanings of -겠- can be grouped into two: Inferential (I’ll bet. . .) and Intentional (I shall).
a. Inferential -겠-: I’ll bet. . .
Inferential -겠- usually occurs with verbs in the second- and third person (you, he, she, it, they). The verb marked with -겠- carries the following sorts of connotations: I’ll bet that. . ., I would wager that. . .; I have good reasons to infer that. . .; Judging by my evidence, it is highly likely that. . ., etc. For example:

  1. 내일은 덥겠어요.
    Tomorrow will likely be hot [I know, because I always get a funny twitch in my elbow the day before it turns hot].
  2. 오후에 비가 오겠습니다.
    It is going to rain in the afternoon [I’ve just seen the weather map].
  3. 그 영화는 재미 있겠어요.
    I’ll bet that film is probably interesting [I saw lots of people standing in line forit downtown the other day].
  4. 아프겠어요.
    Ooh, that must hurt [you have just seen somebody trip and fall spread-eagledonto the pavement].
  5. 어제 기분이 굉장히 좋으셨겠습니다.
    You must have been in a super mood yesterday [since you just heard that your sonwas accepted at Seoul National University].
  6. 부산에 벌써 도착했겠어요.
    She must already have arrived in Pusan [I know, because her train was due to arrivethere at 5:30 PM, and it is now past 6 PM].

b. Intentional -겠-: I have a firm intention to. . .; Do you intend to. . .?
Intentional -겠- usually occurs in first-person statements and second-person questions. In statements, it has the effect of a strong declaration of intent, and often has a somewhat ceremonial touch, as of one were making a solemn pronouncement. In questions, it is a polite way of getting somebody to do something.

  1. 인제 시험을 시작하겠습니다.
    I’m going to start the exam now. [teacher standing in front of the examination hall]
  2. 다방 앞에서 기다리겠습니다.
    I’ll wait for you in front the of the tabang.
  3. 내일 모레 다시 오겠습니다.
    I’ll come again the day after tomorrow.
  4. 그러면, 제가 하겠습니다.
    In that case, I shall do it.
  5. 뭘 드시겠습니까?       네, 커피 한잔 주십시오.
    Would you like something to drink? Yes, a cup of coffee, please.
  6. 여기 앉으시겠어요?       예, 감사합니다.
    Why don’t you sit here?Yes, thank you.
  7. 내일 다시 찾아오겠습니다.
    I’ll come again tomorrow.

Here are some more examples with verbs in -겠-:

  1. 편지는 쓰겠지만, 전화는 안 하겠어요.
    I’ll write a letter, but I won’t telephone.
  2. 이책이 서점에 아직도 있겠지요?
    This book is still probably at the bookshop, right?
  3. 일은 하겠지만, 돈은 안 받겠어요.
    I’ll do the job, but I won’t [receive=] accept any money (for it).
  4. 이 자료를 김선생님께 드리겠어요?
    Will you give [= would you mind giving] these materials to Mr. Kim?
  5. 사장님은 지금쯤 비행기를 타셨겠어요.
    The company president must be on the plane by now.
  6. 어머니도 가끔 영화구경을 가고 싶으시겠어요.
    I imagine Mother must sometimes want to go see movies too.
  7. 밖이 춥겠어요.
    It must be cold outside.
  8. 내일 동대문 시장에 같이 가지 않겠습니까?
    How about going to Tongdaemun Market tomorrow?
  9. 우리 집에 놀러 오지 않으시겠습니까?
    How about coming round to our place to visit?

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