-(으)ㄹ 것을
Expresses regret over something that could have been done differently in the past but wasn't. Often paired with '그랬다' or left as an exclamation.
Summary
Equivalent
I should have... / I wish I had...
Also: -(으)ㄹ 걸 그랬다 (Should have... / I wish I had... - more colloquial)
Example
I should have brought an umbrella! I didn't know it would rain like this.
우산을 가져올 것을! 비가 이렇게 올 줄 몰랐어요.
Grammar rules
- Functions as a regretful exclamation.
- Cannot be followed by a command or suggestion.
- Equivalent to '-(으)ㄹ 걸 그랬다' but slightly more formal/written.
- Can be used without '그랬다' at sentence end, where the regret is implied by trailing off: '더 열심히 공부할 것을...' (If only I had studied harder...)
그때 더 솔직하게 말할 것을 왜 가만히 있었을까요. (Why did I stay quiet when I should have spoken more honestly at that time?)
Patterns
Verbs (Unfulfilled Past Wish)
Past · Verb/Adj Stem + (으)ㄹ 것을 (그랬다/알았더라면)
Example sentences
I should have brought an umbrella! I didn't know it would rain like this.
우산을 가져올 것을! 비가 이렇게 올 줄 몰랐어요.
I should have made a reservation earlier. There are no seats now.
더 일찍 예약할 것을 그랬어요. 이제 자리가 없네요.
I should have bought those stocks then... they've gone up so much now.
그때 그 주식을 살 것을... 지금은 엄청 올랐잖아요.
Conversation
A: How was the exam?
시험 어땠어요?
B: It was really hard. I should have studied harder.
너무 어려웠어요. 더 열심히 공부할 것을 그랬어요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Express regret using '-(으)ㄹ 것을'.
Regret not exercising.
Regret not saving.