-(으)ㄹ 경우 is a formal conditional expression meaning "in case of," "in the event that," or "if (formal)." It's used primarily in written and official contexts.
Structure
Verb/Adjective stem + -(으)ㄹ 경우
Breakdown:
- -(으)ㄹ: Future modifier
- 경우: Case/circumstance
Meaning: "In case of [event]" / "In the event that"
Conjugation Rules
After Vowel or ㄹ: -ㄹ 경우
No final consonant:
- 가다 → 갈 경우 (in case of going)
- 오다 → 올 경우 (in case of coming)
- 하다 → 할 경우 (in case of doing)
After ㄹ (drop ㄹ):
- 만들다 → 만들 경우 (in case of making)
After Consonant: -을 경우
Final consonant present:
- 먹다 → 먹을 경우 (in case of eating)
- 읽다 → 읽을 경우 (in case of reading)
- 있다 → 있을 경우 (in case there is)
With Adjectives: -(으)ㄹ 경우
Same pattern:
- 좋다 → 좋을 경우 (in case it's good)
- 나쁘다 → 나쁠 경우 (in case it's bad)
- 많다 → 많을 경우 (in case there's a lot)
Formality Level
Very Formal
More formal than:
- -(으)면 (if/when - neutral)
- -거든 (if - casual)
Used in:
- Official documents
- Legal texts
- Business communications
- Formal announcements
- Rules and regulations
- Academic writing
Not used in:
- Casual conversation
- Daily speech with friends
- Informal writing
Common Usage Patterns
Official Rules
Company policies:
- 지각할 경우 연락하십시오 (In case of tardiness, please contact us)
- 문제가 발생할 경우 보고하세요 (In case a problem occurs, report it)
- 변경할 경우 알려주시기 바랍니다 (In case of changes, please notify us)
Legal/Business
Contracts and agreements:
- 계약을 위반할 경우 (In case of contract violation)
- 손해가 발생할 경우 (In case damage occurs)
- 기간을 초과할 경우 (In case the period is exceeded)
Instructions
Formal procedures:
- 비상 상황이 발생할 경우 (In case of emergency)
- 오류가 있을 경우 재시도하세요 (In case of error, retry)
- 질문이 있을 경우 문의하세요 (In case of questions, inquire)
With Noun: Noun + 의/인 경우
In Case of [Noun]
Pattern: Noun + (의) 경우
Examples:
- 비상 시의 경우 (In case of emergency)
- 화재의 경우 (In case of fire)
- 고장의 경우 (In case of breakdown)
- 취소의 경우 (In case of cancellation)
Often simplified:
- 비상시 경우 → 비상시 (emergency situation)
Negative Form
In Case Not
Pattern: -지 않을 경우 / 안 -(으)ㄹ 경우
Examples:
- 오지 않을 경우 (In case of not coming)
- 되지 않을 경우 (In case it doesn't work)
- 없을 경우 (In case there isn't)
Usage: Formal negative conditions
Common Expressions
Business/Official
- 참석할 경우 (In case of attendance)
- 결석할 경우 (In case of absence)
- 지연될 경우 (In case of delay)
- 취소할 경우 (In case of cancellation)
Legal
- 위반할 경우 (In case of violation)
- 분실할 경우 (In case of loss)
- 도난당할 경우 (In case of theft)
- 손상될 경우 (In case of damage)
Instructions
- 필요할 경우 (In case it's needed)
- 문제가 있을 경우 (In case there's a problem)
- 궁금할 경우 (In case you're curious)
- 확인이 필요할 경우 (In case confirmation is needed)
Contrast with Similar Forms
-(으)ㄹ 경우 vs -(으)면
-(으)ㄹ 경우: Formal, written (in case of)
- 문제가 있을 경우 연락하세요 (In case there's a problem, contact us)
- → Official, formal tone
-(으)면: Natural, spoken (if/when)
- 문제가 있으면 연락하세요 (If there's a problem, contact us)
- → Natural, conversational
Use -(으)면 for daily speech
-(으)ㄹ 경우 vs -거든
-(으)ㄹ 경우: Very formal (in case of)
- 늦을 경우 전화하세요 (In case you're late, call)
- → Official document
-거든: Casual advice (if)
- 늦거든 전화해 (If you're late, call)
- → Friendly advice
Example Sentences
Official Announcements
-
결석할 경우 사전에 연락하시기 바랍니다
(In case of absence, please contact us in advance) -
취소할 경우 24시간 전에 알려주세요
(In case of cancellation, notify us 24 hours in advance) -
분실할 경우 즉시 신고하십시오
(In case of loss, report immediately)
Business Documents
-
문제가 발생할 경우 고객센터로 연락하세요
(In case a problem occurs, contact customer service) -
오류가 지속될 경우 재설치가 필요합니다
(In case the error persists, reinstallation is necessary)
Contracts
-
계약을 위반할 경우 법적 조치를 취할 수 있습니다
(In case of contract violation, legal action may be taken) -
대금을 지불하지 않을 경우 서비스가 중단됩니다
(In case of non-payment, service will be suspended)
Example Dialogues (Formal)
Dialogue 1: Customer Service
Staff: 배송 중 문제가 있을 경우 연락 주시기 바랍니다.
(In case of problems during delivery, please contact us.)
Customer: 알겠습니다.
(Understood.)
Dialogue 2: Office Memo
Manager: 회의 참석이 불가능할 경우 미리 알려주세요.
(In case you cannot attend the meeting, let us know in advance.)
Dialogue 3: Instructions
Manual: 기기가 작동하지 않을 경우 고객센터에 문의하십시오.
(In case the device doesn't work, inquire at customer service.)
When to Use vs Alternatives
Use -(으)ㄹ 경우 for:
Formal contexts:
- ✓ Official documents
- ✓ Business emails
- ✓ Legal texts
- ✓ Company policies
- ✓ Instructions/manuals
Use -(으)면 instead for:
Daily speech:
- Daily conversation
- Text messages
- Informal emails
- Chatting with friends
- Casual situations
Example comparison:
- Formal: 문제가 있을 경우 연락하세요
- Casual: 문제 있으면 연락해요
Common Mistakes
❌ Incorrect: 갈 경우요
Adding casual 요
✅ Correct: 갈 경우 or 갈 경우에는
Keep formal throughout
❌ Incorrect: 가는 경우
Wrong modifier
✅ Correct: 갈 경우
Use future -(으)ㄹ
❌ Using in casual chat
Too formal for friends
✅ Use -(으)면 instead
More natural for conversation
Summary Table
| Context | Best Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Daily conversation | -(으)면 | 문제 있으면 말해 |
| Casual advice | -거든 | 힘들거든 말해 |
| Formal document | -(으)ㄹ 경우 | 문제가 있을 경우 |
| Business email | -(으)ㄹ 경우 | 확인이 필요할 경우 |
Key Takeaways
✅ Formal conditional: "In case of" / "In the event that"
✅ After vowel/ㄹ: -ㄹ 경우
✅ After consonant: -을 경우
✅ Very formal: Written, official contexts only
✅ Not for casual speech: Too formal for daily use
✅ Use -(으)면 instead: For normal conversation
-(으)ㄹ 경우 is essential for formal Korean writing and official communication, but should be avoided in casual conversation where -(으)면 is more appropriate and natural. Save this form for business documents, legal texts, and formal announcements.