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| 어서 그런지 grammar |
What is the -아/어서 그런지 Grammar?
The -아/어서 그런지 grammar is used when you speculate or guess about the reason or cause behind a situation.
It is similar to saying:
- "Maybe because..."
- "It might be because..."
- "Perhaps due to..."
It expresses uncertainty — you think something is the cause, but you are not 100% sure. It makes statements sound less direct and more polite
How to Conjugate -아/어서 그런지
Verb/Adjective + -아/어서 그런지
- If the last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ → -아서 그런지
- If the last vowel is anything else → -어서 그런지
- If 하다 verb → 해서 그런지
Examples:
- 가다 (to go) → 가서 그런지
- 보다 (to see) → 봐서 그런지
- 춥다 (to be cold) → 추워서 그런지
- 바쁘다 (to be busy) → 바빠서 그런지
- 하다 (to do) → 해서 그런지
How to Use -아/어서 그런지
Use -아/어서 그런지 to speculate about the cause when you feel that a reason is likely but you are not certain.
1. Speculating Uncertain Causes about physical or emotional conditions
비가 와서 그런지 기분이 다운됐어요.(Maybe because it’s raining, I feel down.)
요즘 잠을 못 자서 그런지 피곤해 보여요.
(Maybe because you haven't slept well lately, you look tired.)
2. Guessing Assumptions why a situation is happening
날씨가 추워서 그런지 거리에 사람이 없어요.(Maybe because the weather is cold, there’s no one on the streets.)
세일을 해서 그런지 가게에 손님이 많아요.
(Maybe because there’s a sale, there are many customers in the store.)
3. Suggesting a possible reason for someone’s behavior
친구가 바빠서 그런지 연락이 없어요.(Maybe because my friend is busy, I haven’t heard from them.)
스트레스를 받아서 그런지 짜증을 자주 내요.
(Maybe because they’re stressed, they get annoyed easily.)
Differences from Similar Grammar Patterns
| Grammar | Usage | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| -아/어서 그런지 | Guessing a cause, uncertain | Speculative; not 100% confirmed |
| -아/어서 | Stating a cause directly | Confirmed cause-and-effect |
| -나 보다 | Guessing based on what you see/hear | Speculation about the present or future, not about causes |
| -는 것 같다 | Expressing opinion or assumption | General assumption without strongly linking cause and effect |
Quick comparison:
- -아/어서 그런지 → "Maybe because..." (guessing cause)
- -아/어서 → "Because..." (clear cause)
- -나 보다 → "It seems like..." (guess based on observation)
- -는 것 같다 → "I think..." (subjective opinion)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Using -아/어서 그런지 when the cause is definite (confusing with 아/어서)- Wrong: 비가 와서 그런지 길이 젖었어요. (Rain definitely caused it.)
- Correct: 비가 와서 길이 젖었어요. (Use -아/어서 when sure.)
2. Using -아/어서 그런지 with imperative or propositive forms
- Wrong: 비가 와서 그런지 우산을 가져가세요. (command)
- Correct: 비가 와서 우산을 가져왔어요. (Do not use it for giving orders.)
3. The guessed cause is always in present tense
- Wrong: 어제 운동을 너무 많이 했어서 그런지 근육이 아파요. (X)
- Correct: 어제 운동을 너무 많이 해서 그런지 근육이 아파요. (O)
4. Overusing it in formal or academic writing
Since it sounds conversational and uncertain, it is better for casual or everyday conversation, not for official reports.
Example Sentences with -아/어서 그런지 in Use
1. 어제 늦게 자서 그런지 오늘 피곤해요.(Maybe because I slept late yesterday, I’m tired today.)
2. 날씨가 흐려서 그런지 기분이 안 좋아요.
(Maybe because it’s cloudy, I’m in a bad mood.)
3. 요즘 스트레스를 받아서 그런지 입맛이 없어요.
(Maybe because I’m stressed, I have no appetite.)
4. 공부를 열심히 해서 그런지 성적이 올랐어요.
(Maybe because I studied hard, my grades improved.)
5. 감기에 걸려서 그런지 목이 아파요.
(Maybe because I caught a cold, my throat hurts.)
(Maybe because I exercised a lot, my body feels light.)
7. 친구와 싸워서 그런지 기분이 나빠요.
(Maybe because I fought with my friend, I feel bad.)
8. 급하게 먹어서 그런지 배가 아파요.
(Maybe because I ate in a hurry, I have a stomachache.)
9. 차가 막혀서 그런지 늦었어요.
(Maybe because there was a traffic jam, he was late.)
10. 약을 먹어서 그런지 졸음이 와요.
(I feel sleepy, maybe because I took medicine.)
Practice Sentences
A. Try completing these sentences in Korean using -아/어서 그런지:
1. (잠/못 자서) ________ 하루 종일 졸려요.
2. (스트레스/많이 받아서) ________ 얼굴에 여드름이 났어요.
3. (운동/안 해서) ________ 체력이 떨어진 것 같아요.
4. (식사를/거르게 돼서) ________ 속이 불편해요.
B. Try translating these into Korean using -아/어서 그런지:
1. Maybe because it's cold, I feel sleepy.
2. Maybe because I didn't sleep well, I have a headache.
3. Maybe because she smiled, I felt better.
4. Perhaps because it’s raining, the park is empty.
5. Maybe because he is busy, he didn’t answer my call.
Answers
A. Completing the Sentences (in Korean)
1. 잠을 못 자서 그런지 하루 종일 졸려요.
(Maybe because I couldn't sleep, I'm sleepy all day.)
(Maybe because I couldn't sleep, I'm sleepy all day.)
2. 스트레스를 많이 받아서 그런지 얼굴에 여드름이 났어요.
(Maybe because I’m very stressed, I got pimples.)
3. 운동을 안 해서 그런지 체력이 떨어진 것 같아요.
(Maybe because I don't exercise, my stamina has decreased.)
4. 식사를 거르게 돼서 그런지 속이 불편해요.
(Maybe because I skipped a meal, my stomach feels uncomfortable.)
B. Translating into Korean
1. Maybe because it's cold, I feel sleepy.→ 날씨가 추워서 그런지 졸려요.
2. Maybe because I didn't sleep well, I have a headache.
→ 잠을 잘 못 자서 그런지 머리가 아파요.
3. Maybe because she smiled, I felt better.
→ 그녀가 웃어서 그런지 기분이 나아졌어요.
4. Perhaps because it’s raining, the park is empty.
→ 비가 와서 그런지 공원이 텅 비었어요.
5. Maybe because he is busy, he didn’t answer my call.
→ 그가 바빠서 그런지 전화를 안 받았어요.
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