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How to use 은/는 대로 in Korean

Pattern: -(으)ㄴ/는 대로

-(으)ㄴ/는 대로 (-(eu)ㄴ, (eu)ㄴ, neundae-ro, neundaero)

-(으)ㄴ/는 대로 expresses that one action follows immediately after another, just as it happens.

Korean grammar pattern 은는 대로 usage explanation

Usage guide

When and how native speakers actually use it.

-(으)ㄴ/는 대로(-(eu)ㄴ, (eu)ㄴ, neundae-ro, neundaero)

Indicates that another action happens immediately following a certain action or state.

When to use

Expressing immediate actions, Following promises or instructions, Proceeding as planned

The nuance

Attach '-는 대로' to verb stems to indicate an action that immediately follows in present or future. Attach '-ㄴ 대로' to adjectives or past tense verbs to indicate an action that immediately followed in the past. For '하다' verbs, use '-ㄴ 대로'. Examples: '도착하는 대로 전화해 주세요' (Call me as soon as you arrive), '약속한 대로 준비했습니다' (I prepared as promised).

Real-world examples

  • 도착하는 대로 연락할게요.

    do-chak-ha-neun dae-ro yeon-rak-hal-ge-yo., do chak ha neun dae ro yeon rak hal ge yo.

    '도착하다' verb stem plus '-는 대로' shows immediate action.

  • 약속한 대로 일을 진행했습니다.

    yak-sok-han dae-ro il-eul jin-haeng-haess-seup-ni-da., yak sok han dae ro il eul jin haeng haess seup ni da.

    Past tense verb '약속하다' plus '-ㄴ 대로' indicates immediate follow-up after promise.

  • 말하는 대로 따라 하세요.

    mal-ha-neun dae-ro tta-ra ha-se-yo., mal ha neun dae ro tta ra ha se yo.

    Present verb '말하다' plus '-는 대로' expresses immediate following.

  • 비가 온 대로 밖에 나갔다.

    bi-ga on dae-ro bakk-e na-gass-da., bi ga on dae ro bakk e na gass da.

    Past tense plus '-ㄴ 대로' is correct form but the meaning is unnatural here.

  • 계획한 대로 일이 잘 진행되고 있다.

    gye-hoek-han dae-ro il-i jal jin-haeng-doe-go iss-da., gye hoek han dae ro il i jal jin haeng doe go iss da.

    Past tense verb plus '-ㄴ 대로' shows actions matching plans.

  • 준비하는 대로 시작하겠습니다.

    jun-bi-ha-neun dae-ro si-jak-ha-gess-seup-ni-da., jun bi ha neun dae ro si jak ha gess seup ni da.

    Present verb plus '-는 대로' indicates immediate start after preparation.

Quick quiz

  1. Which sentence correctly uses -(으)ㄴ/는 대로?

    다음 중 '-(으)ㄴ/는 대로'를 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjung'-(eu)ㄴ, daeumjung'(eu)ㄴ, neundae-ro'reulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, neundaero'reulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)

  2. Which sentence correctly uses '-ㄴ 대로'?

    '-ㄴ 대로'가 적절한 문장은?('-ㄴdae-ro'gajeok-jeol-hanmun-jang-eun?, 'ㄴdaero'gajeokjeolhanmunjangeun?)

  3. Which sentence is incorrect?

    다음 중 틀린 문장은?(da-eumjungteul-rinmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungteulrinmunjangeun?)

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