Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. ‘-아/어 가다’ Analysis
3. ‘-아/어 두다’ Analysis
4. Comparison and Usage
5. Practice Examples
6. Common Mistakes
7. Summary

1. Introduction

The Korean grammar patterns ‘-아/어 가다’ and ‘-아/어 두다’ are essential auxiliary verb constructions that add depth and nuance to Korean expressions. Let’s explore these patterns in detail to understand their various uses and implications.

2. ‘-아/어 가다’ (-a/ŏ ga-da)

Basic Structure

• Verb stem + -아/어 가다
• After ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’ → -아 가다
• After other vowels → -어 가다
• After 하다 verbs → -해 가다

Core Meanings

1. Continuous progression
2. Physical movement away from the speaker
3. Gradual change over time

Detailed Usage

1. Progressive Change

• 날씨가 추워 가요. [nal-ssi-ga chu-wŏ ga-yo]
• The weather is getting colder.
• 상황이 좋아져 가요. [sang-hwang-i jo-a-jyŏ ga-yo]
• The situation is getting better.

2. Physical Movement

• 걸어 가요. [gŏr-ŏ ga-yo]
• (I’m) walking there.
• 달려 가요. [dal-lyŏ ga-yo]
• (I’m) running there.

3. Temporal Progress

• 시간이 흘러 가요. [si-gan-i hŭl-lŏ ga-yo]
• Time flows by.
• 계절이 바뀌어 가요. [gye-jŏr-i ba-kkwi-ŏ ga-yo]
• The seasons are changing.

Time References

1. Present Progressive

• 발전해 가고 있어요. [bal-jŏn-hae ga-go i-ssŏ-yo]
• It’s developing/progressing.

2. Future Progress

• 점점 나아져 갈 거예요. [jŏm-jŏm na-a-jyŏ gal kŏ-ye-yo]
• It will gradually get better.

3. ‘-아/어 두다’ (-a/ŏ du-da)

Basic Structure

• Verb stem + -아/어 두다
• After ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’ → -아 두다
• After other vowels → -어 두다
• After 하다 verbs → -해 두다

Core Meanings

1. Doing something in advance
2. Preparing for later use
3. Maintaining a state

Detailed Usage

1. Advance Preparation

• 밥을 미리 해 두세요. [ba-bŭl mi-ri hae du-se-yo]
• Cook the rice in advance.
• 숙제를 끝내 두었어요. [suk-je-rŭl kkŭt-nae du-ŏ-ssŏ-yo]
• I finished the homework in advance.

2. Storage or Preservation

• 책을 보관해 두세요. [chae-gŭl bo-gwan-hae du-se-yo]
• Keep the book stored.
• 음식을 냉장고에 넣어 두세요. [ŭm-sig-ŭl naeng-jang-go-e nŏh-ŏ du-se-yo]
• Put the food in the refrigerator (and leave it there).

3. Future Reference

• 전화번호를 적어 두세요. [jŏn-hwa-bŏn-ho-rŭl jŏg-ŏ du-se-yo]
• Write down the phone number (for later use).

4. Comparison and Usage

Situation-based Examples

1. Work Environment

• ‘-아/어 가다’:
• 업무가 익숙해져 가요. [ŏp-mu-ga ik-suk-hae-jyŏ ga-yo]
• I’m getting used to the work.
• ‘-아/어 두다’:
• 보고서를 작성해 두세요. [bo-go-sŏ-rŭl jak-sŏng-hae du-se-yo]
• Prepare the report in advance.

2. Daily Life

• ‘-아/어 가다’:
• 하늘이 어두워 가요. [ha-nŭr-i ŏ-du-wŏ ga-yo]
• The sky is getting dark.
• ‘-아/어 두다’:
• 옷을 준비해 두었어요. [o-sŭl jun-bi-hae du-ŏ-ssŏ-yo]
• I prepared the clothes in advance.

5. Practice Examples

Exercise 1: ‘-아/어 가다’

Transform these sentences:

1. 날씨가 따뜻하다 → _
2. 상황이 나빠지다 → _

Exercise 2: ‘-아/어 두다’

Complete these sentences:

1. 편지를 _ (쓰다)
2. 집을 _ (청소하다)

6. Common Mistakes

‘-아/어 가다’ Mistakes

1. Incorrect Usage with State Verbs

• Incorrect: 있어 가요
• Correct: 있어요

1. Wrong Direction Implication

• Incorrect: 돌아와 가요
• Correct: 돌아와요

‘-아/어 두다’ Mistakes

1. Unnecessary Usage

• Incorrect: 자 두세요
• Correct: 자세요

1. Wrong Tense Combination

• Incorrect: 해 둘 했어요
• Correct: 해 두었어요

7. Additional Notes

Business Context

‘-아/어 가다’

• 매출이 증가해 가고 있습니다. [mae-chul-i jeung-ga-hae ga-go it-sŭm-ni-da]
• Sales are increasing.

‘-아/어 두다’

• 계약서를 검토해 두겠습니다. [gye-yak-sŏ-rŭl gŏm-to-hae du-get-sŭm-ni-da]
• I will review the contract in advance.

Academic Context

‘-아/어 가다’

• 실력이 향상되어 가요. [sil-lyŏg-i hyang-sang-doe-ŏ ga-yo]
• My skills are improving.

‘-아/어 두다’

• 시험 준비를 해 두세요. [si-hŏm jun-bi-rŭl hae du-se-yo]
• Prepare for the exam in advance.

Practical Applications

1. Daily Conversations

‘-아/어 가다’

• 날이 밝아 가요. [nal-i bal-ga ga-yo]
• It’s getting bright.
• 점점 익숙해져 가요. [jŏm-jŏm ik-suk-hae-jyŏ ga-yo]
• I’m gradually getting used to it.

‘-아/어 두다’

• 열쇠를 놓아 두세요. [yŏl-soe-rŭl noh-a du-se-yo]
• Leave the keys there.
• 메모를 해 두세요. [me-mo-rŭl hae du-se-yo]
• Make a note of it.

2. Formal Settings

‘-아/어 가다’

• 문제가 해결되어 가고 있습니다. [mun-je-ga hae-gyŏl-doe-ŏ ga-go it-sŭm-ni-da]
• The problem is getting resolved.

‘-아/어 두다’

• 자료를 정리해 두도록 하겠습니다. [ja-ryo-rŭl jŏng-ri-hae du-do-rok ha-get-sŭm-ni-da]
• I will organize the materials in advance.

Summary

Key Points for ‘-아/어 가다’:

1. Indicates gradual change
2. Shows physical movement
3. Expresses continuous progression
4. Used for natural processes

Key Points for ‘-아/어 두다’:

1. Shows advance preparation
2. Indicates storage or preservation
3. Implies future use
4. Used for intentional actions

Practice Tips:

1. Focus on context and intention
2. Pay attention to the direction of movement
3. Consider the time aspect
4. Practice with daily activities