[Korean grammar] A/V-(으)ㄴ/는/(으)ㄹ 것 같다 Conjecture

어제 비가 온 것 같아요.
(It) looks like it rained yesterday.

지금 비가 오는 것 같아요.
(It) looks like it’s raining right now.

비가 올 것 같아요.
(It) looks like it’s going to rain.

Grammar Focus:
1. This expression is used when supposing that something happened in the past or when supposing the occurrence of an action or situation that has yet to occur. It corresponds to ‘looks/sounds like’ or ‘appears that’ in English. For present-tense adjectives and past tense verbs, -(으)ㄴ is added to the stem, for present-tense verbs, -는 is added, and for future tense verbs, -(으)ㄹ is added.
A: 댄 씨, 오늘 기분이 좋은 것 같아요. 무슨 좋은 일 있어요?
Dane, you look like you’re in a good mood today. Did something good happen?
B: 네, 어제 아내가 딸을 낳았어요.
Yes, yesterday, my wife had our daughter.

2. It is also used to express the speaker’s opinion or thought about something indirectly in a polite, non-assertive, and gentle manner.
A: 음식 맛이 어때요? How does the food taste?
B: 좀 짠 것 같아요. It seems a little salty.

Conversation:
A: 일주일이 빨리 가는 것 같아요. It seems like the week is just flying by.
B: 정말 그래요. 벌써 금요일이에요. You’re so right. It’s already Friday.

A: 그 식당 주인이 친절한 것 같아요. That restaurant owner seems nice.
B: 네. 항상 밥도 많이 주고 서비스도 좋아요.
Yeah, she always gives us lots of rice, and the service is good, too.

A: 더 드세요. Please have some more to eat.
B: 죄송해요. 배가 불러서 더 못 먹을 거 같아요.
I’m sorry. I’m quite full and don’t think I’ll be able to eat anymore.

Notes:
-(으)ㄴ 것 같다 is a more direct expression and thus is used when the speaker has a clear and definite basis for the supposition. -(으)ㄹ 것 같다, on the other hand, is more indirect and therefore is used when making a vague supposition.
• 오늘 날씨가 더운 것 같아요. It looks like the weather today is warm.
(Supposition made after either seeing others experience the hot weather or after experiencing the heat directly.)

• 오늘 날씨가 더울 것 같아요. I guess the weather today will be warm.
(A vague supposition made on the basis that yesterday was hot, so, therefore, today will likely be hot as well.)

Comparison: