-(으)ㄹ 게 뻔하다

Bound to..., Obvious that..., Sure to...

Explanation

This expression is used when the speaker can predict or clearly surmise the result of some future action or situation based on previous similar experiences. It is used mainly to predict unfavorable resulting situations.

Details

While this expression can be used in both the first person ("I") and second/third person (“you,’’ “he” “she” etc.), it cannot be used when describing one’s own will or intention in the first person.

제가 현실 때문에 하고 싶은 일을 포기한다면 나중에 후회할 게 뻔해요.
저는 내년에 결혼할 게 뻔해요. ✕
→저는 내년에 결혼할 거예요. ✓
(While this expression can be used in cases of having to get married due to circumstances outside of one's control, to the extent that is not the case, -(으)ㄹ 거예요 must be used.)

While -았을/었을 게 뻔하다 and -(으)ㄹ 게 뻔했다 both describe situations related to the past, they have the following differences.

Note: While this expression is similar in form to the expression -(으)ㄹ 뻔하다, which appeared in the intermediate level, that expression refers to the fact that something actually never happened even though it seemed as if it would. Take care not to confuse the two expressions.