-(으)ㄹ 것

Ends a written instruction or rule with a noun-like command: 'do X; X is to be done'. Impersonal and firm; used in notices, exam instructions, memos and rule lists.

문장 끝·말투Endings & speech style

Han: A written prohibition with -(으)ㄹ 것 is made with -지 말 것, not 안 + -(으)ㄹ 것.

Examples

작업 중에는 반드시 안전모를 착용할 것.Always wear a hard hat while working.

답안지에는 검은색 펜만 사용할 것.Use only a black pen on the answer sheet.

과제는 금요일 오후 5시까지 이메일로 제출할 것.Submit the assignment by email by 5 p.m. on Friday.

Don’t mix up

-(으)ㄹ 것vs-(으)십시오-(으)십시오 is a formal command addressed to people; -(으)ㄹ 것 is impersonal like a rulebook: 조용히 하십시오 vs 도서관에서는 조용히 할 것.

-(으)ㄹ 것vs-(으)ㄹ 것이다With 이다 (거예요) it states a plan or guess, not an instruction: 내일 제출할 것이다 'I will submit it tomorrow' vs 내일까지 제출할 것 'Submit by tomorrow.'

How to build it

V+(으)ㄹ 것 (negative: V + 지 말 것)

제출하다 → 제출할 것; 지키다 → 지킬 것; 듣다 → 들을 것; 떠들다 → 떠들지 말 것

Written only: notices, signs, exam papers, schedules, memos to oneself. It is not said to a listener in conversation.
It ends the sentence as is, with no 이다: 손을 씻을 것. The prohibition form is -지 말 것.
Only action verbs; no tense or honorific marker before it.

Classic mistake

Wrong: ~~실내에서 담배를 안 피울 것.~~

Right: 실내에서 담배를 피우지 말 것.

A written prohibition with -(으)ㄹ 것 is made with -지 말 것, not 안 + -(으)ㄹ 것.

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