Foundations
Read the particles as relationships
Explanation
Small particles can change an answer even when all the main nouns are familiar. 이/가 identifies a subject, 을/를 an object and 은/는 a topic or contrast. 에 commonly marks a time, destination or place of existence; 에서 commonly marks the place where an action happens.
Compare the relationship to the predicate, not just the noun: 학교에 가요 is going to school, 학교에서 공부해요 is studying at school. 도 adds another member to a statement; 만 excludes other members. Read the following verb before choosing a particle for a blank.
Examples and what to notice
도서관에 있어요. / 도서관에서 읽어요.
I am at the library. / I read at the library.
친구에게 책을 줬어요.
에게 identifies the recipient, and 을 identifies what was given.
저도 가요. / 저만 가요.
I am going too. / Only I am going.
Apply it to a question
- Read each example and identify the form that carries the information discussed above.
- Cover the explanation and explain the difference in meaning in your own words.
- Move to a listening or reading question type and check the complete sentence before choosing an answer.