Pattern: -(았/었)는지도
-(았/었)는지도 (-(ass, (ass, eoss)neun-ji-do, eoss)neunjido)
-(았/었)는지도 expresses guessing or doubting that something might have happened in the past.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
Expresses speculation or doubt about a past event
When to use
Speculating about past facts, Uncertain memory, Doubting possibility
The nuance
Attach '-는지도' to the past tense form -(았/었) of a verb or adjective to express speculation or doubt about a past event. It implies 'might have done' or 'could have been'. For example, 먹었는지도 몰라 (might have eaten), 갔는지도 몰라 (might have gone).
어제 그가 집에 있었는지도 몰라.
eo-je geu-ga jip-e iss-eoss-neun-ji-do mol-ra., eo je geu ga jip e iss eoss neun ji do mol ra.
Correctly speculates about a past possibility.
그녀가 시험을 봤는지도 몰라.
geu-nyeo-ga si-heom-eul bwass-neun-ji-do mol-ra., geu nyeo ga si heom eul bwass neun ji do mol ra.
Expresses possibility of past action.
내가 그 말을 했는지도 몰라.
nae-ga geu mal-eul haess-neun-ji-do mol-ra., nae ga geu mal eul haess neun ji do mol ra.
Shows speculation about one's past action.
그가 내일 올 수도 있는지도 몰라.
geu-ga nae-il ol su-do iss-neun-ji-do mol-ra., geu ga nae il ol su do iss neun ji do mol ra.
Cannot use past tense form for future events.
우리가 그 장소에 갔는지도 몰라.
u-ri-ga geu jang-so-e gass-neun-ji-do mol-ra., u ri ga geu jang so e gass neun ji do mol ra.
Correctly speculates about a past event.
그가 지금 집에 있었는지도 몰라.
geu-ga ji-geum jip-e iss-eoss-neun-ji-do mol-ra., geu ga ji geum jip e iss eoss neun ji do mol ra.
Past tense form cannot express present situation.
Which sentence correctly uses -(았/었)는지도?
When do you use -(았/었)는지도?
Which sentence is incorrect?
