-ㄴ/는/ㄹ 따름이다
Merely, Only
-ㄴ/는/ㄹ 따름이다 is a formal sentence ending used to express 'merely', 'only', or 'just', emphasizing that a certain situation is the one and only reality.
How It Works
This expression strongly emphasizes that the stated fact is the only thing that is true or relevant in a given situation. It carries a more formal, and sometimes more profound, nuance than similar expressions like -ㄹ 뿐이다.
Conjugation Rules:
The pattern changes based on the tense and type of word it attaches to.
1. Action Verbs (Present Tense):
- Verb stem + -는 따름이다
- Example: 하다 → 하는 따름이다 (merely do)
2. Adjectives, 이다, and Future/Conjecture Verbs:
This form uses -(으)ㄹ 따름이다 and covers several situations:
- Adjectives (Descriptive Verbs) & 이다 (Present State): It describes a current feeling or state.
- Action Verbs (Future/Conjecture): It expresses a future action, intention, or assumption.
3. Past Tense (All Verbs/Adjectives):
- Attach -았/었- to the stem, followed by -을 따름이다.
- Example: 하다 → 했을 따름이다 (merely did)
- Example: 보다 → 봤을 따름이다 (merely saw)
This pattern is almost always used with the formal polite ending -ㅂ니다, becoming '-(으)ㄹ/는 따름입니다'.
Examples (5)
- 이렇게 큰 상을 받게 되어 그저 감사할 따름입니다.
I am merely grateful to have received such a great award.
Word by Word: To receive such a big award, just grateful-only-is.
Used in a formal acceptance speech to express profound gratitude as the sole emotion.
- 저는 제 임무를 완수했을 따름입니다. 칭찬은 과분합니다.
I merely fulfilled my duty. The praise is more than I deserve.
Word by Word: I my duty fulfilled-only-is. Praise is excessive.
This shows humility by stating that the action was 'just' a duty, nothing more.
- 결과가 어떻게 되든 우리는 최선을 다할 따름입니다.
Whatever the result may be, we will merely do our best.
Word by Word: Result how it becomes, we our best will do-only-is.
This expresses the resolve that the only thing they will do is their best, regardless of the outcome.
- 그분의 결정을 우리는 그저 받아들일 따름입니다.
We can merely accept his decision.
Word by Word: That person's decision we just accept-will-only-is.
This implies there are no other options or alternatives but to accept the decision.
- 갑작스러운 소식에 놀라울 따름입니다.
I am just surprised at the sudden news.
Word by Word: Sudden news-at surprising-only-is.
Used to emphasize surprise as the single, overwhelming reaction.
Common Mistakes
Using -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 따름이다 in casual, everyday conversation.
Not Quite나? 그냥 숙제하는 따름이야.Better나? 그냥 숙제할 뿐이야. (or 그냥 숙제하고 있어.)'-ㄴ/는/ㄹ 따름이다' is a very formal and somewhat literary expression. Using it in casual conversation sounds unnatural and stiff. For 'only' or 'just' in daily speech, use '-ㄹ 뿐이다' or other simpler expressions.
Incorrectly conjugating the past tense.
Not Quite저는 어제 거기에 간 따름입니다.Better저는 어제 거기에 갔을 따름입니다.The past tense for this pattern is always formed by adding '-았/었-' to the stem, followed by '-을 따름이다'. The form '-(으)ㄴ' is a noun-modifying ending (like in '간 사람', the person who went) and cannot be used to create the past tense for this sentence-ending structure.
Learn This First
To express limitation 'merely/only', you need modifier forms and 이다.
Related Patterns
- -(으)ㄹ 뿐이다Only
Both mean 'only' or 'just'. However, '-ㄴ/는/ㄹ 따름이다' is more formal and carries a stronger nuance of finality and there being no other alternative. -ㄹ 뿐이다 is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal situations.
- -만Only, But Only
-만 is a particle that also means 'only'. The key difference is grammatical function. '-만' attaches directly to nouns, adverbs, or other particles, while '-ㄴ/는/ㄹ 따름이다' is a full sentence-ending pattern that attaches to verb/adjective stems.
- -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 뿐만 아니라Not Only... but Also
This pattern means 'not only... but also...'. It's useful to compare because it uses the same root '뿐' but expresses the opposite idea: addition rather than limitation. It shows how the concept of 'only' can be expanded.
- -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다Seems Like, Looks Like
This provides a contrast in certainty. '-ㄴ/는/ㄹ 따름이다' is used to state something as a definitive, singular fact. In contrast, -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다 ('it seems like') is used to express an assumption, guess, or opinion, indicating uncertainty.