[Korean grammar] V-(으)ㄹ게요 Intentions and Plans

제가 전화 받을게요.
I’ll answer the phone.

죄송합니다. 일이 있어서 먼저 갈게요.
Sorry. I have work to do, so I’ll be leaving now.

저녁에 전화할게요.
I’ll call you in the evening.

Grammar Focus:
-(으)ㄹ게요 is used when the speaker wants to express a decision or intention to another person similar to a promise, and also when actually making a promise to do something with the other person. It is also used simply to express that the speaker will do something. It thus corresponds to ‘(I) will (do)’ in English. This expression is used in colloquial language mainly among intimates. When the verb stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ, then -ㄹ 게요 is used, and when it ends in a consonant, -을게요 is used.

This expression can be used only with verbs that express the will of the subject.
• 오늘 오후에는 바람이 불게요. (x)
(The blowing of the wind is not due to the will or intention of the wind.)

• 저는 이제부터 날씬할게요. (x)
(It cannot be used with adjectives.)

Only subjects in the first person can be used.
• 부디 씨가 저녁에 전화할게요. (x)
->부디 씨가 저녁에 전화할 거예요. (〇)
Budi will call in the evening.
->제가 저녁에 전화할게요. (〇)
I’ll call in the evening.

This expression cannot be used in questions.
• 리라 씨, 이제 늦지 않을게요? (x)
->리라 씨, 이제 늦지 않을 거예요? (〇)
Lila, you won’t be late in the future, will you?

Conversation:
A: 제 책 가지고 왔어요? Did you bring my book?
B: 미안해요. 잊어버렸어요. 내일은 꼭 가지고 올게요.
Sorry. I forgot. I’ll definitely bring it tomorrow.

See also  [Korean grammar] 안 A/V-아/어요 (A/V-지 않아요) Negative Expressions

A: 에릭 씨, 카일리 씨의 이메일 주소 아세요?
Eric, do you know Kylie’s email address?
B: 네, 알아요. 제가 종이에 써 드릴게요.
Yes, I do. I’ll write it down (on paper) for you.

Comparison:

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