A/V-(으)ㄴ/는/(으)ㄹ 것 같다

To think

Explanation
  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, -() is added to the stem, for present tense verbs, - is added, and for future tense verbs, -() is added.

  2. It is also used to express the speaker's opinion or thought about something indirectly in a polite, non-assertive, and gentle manner.

Details

-(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.

(Vague supposition made on the basis that yesterday was hot, so therefore today will likely be hot as well.)


Comparison:

Kimchi Reader

Used to express a thought, guess, or assumption that one isn't fully certain of.

Details

(으)ㄹ 것 같다

(으)ㄹ 것 같다 signifies future tense.

그 영화가 재미있을 것 같아요.
That movie seems like it'll be fun.
그 사람을 만났던 것 같아요.
I think I met that person.

았을/었을/했을 것 같다

았을/었을/했을 것 같다 signifies a guess about a possible outcome or a past event that might have occurred.

음식이 맛있었을 것 같다.
The food seems like it would have been delicious.
지난 주에 도착했을 것 같다.
It seems like he might have arrived last week.

Check out noun modifiers 는/(으)ㄴ/(으)ㄹ and (았/었/였)던 and (았/었/했)을 것 for more info.

는 거 같다

In casual or colloquial language, 는 것 같다 is often shortened to 는 거 같다. Spoken language transcribed to text may often be written this way.

그 남자가 바쁜 거 같아요.
That man seems busy

Spacing

Native speakers may colloquially write 는거 or 는것같다 (without the space). It doesn't strictly follow spacing rules, so its a common "mistake". The meaning is the same.

Examples
날씨가 추<span class='focus'>을 것 같아요</span>.
It seems like the weather will be cold.
파티가 재미있<span class='focus'>을 것 같아요</span>.
I think the party will be fun.
여기에 아무도 없<span class='focus'>는 것 같아요</span>.
It seems/I think there's no one here.

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