Everything you need to use linking verbs: and (-고) correctly: the patterns, when to use them, examples with audio, common mistakes and exercises with answers.
-고 is a connecting ending that lists actions or qualities, either simultaneous or one after another - 'and' or 'and then'. The stem before -고 is not marked for tense; only the final verb carries it. Key patterns: Do the first thing, then the second; Quality one and quality two; Listing several actions together.
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| One action after another | V1 stem + 고 + V2 Do the first thing, then the second | 씻고 잤어요. I washed up and went to bed. |
| Listing qualities | A1 stem + 고 + A2 Quality one and quality two | 그 사람은 착하고 똑똑해요. That person is kind and clever. |
| Listing actions | V1 stem + 고 + V2 stem + 고 + ... Listing several actions together | 저는 밥도 먹고 커피도 마셔요. I have a meal and drink coffee too. |
Listing several qualities with adjectives
-고 carries no sense of cause; it only lists
Pick the right option, then open the answer to check it.
Options: 고 · 아서 · 어서 · 으면서
고. -고 links two actions in sequence: 먹고 잤어요 is 'I ate and then slept.'
Options: 고 · 러 · 아서 · 지만
고. Adjective + 고 + adjective lists qualities: 크고 예뻐요 is 'big and pretty'.
Options: 샤워하고 아침을 먹었어요. · 샤워하면 아침을 먹었어요. · 샤워하지만 아침을 먹었어요. · 샤워해서 아침을 먹었어요.
샤워하고 아침을 먹었어요.. For actions in sequence with no causal link, use -고: 샤워하고 아침을 먹었어요.
Options: 그는 키가 크고 잘생겼어요. · 그는 키가 크어서 잘생겼어요. · 그는 키가 크으고 잘생겼어요. · 그는 키가 크지만 잘생겼어요.
그는 키가 크고 잘생겼어요.. Listing qualities: adjective + 고 + adjective. 크고 잘생겼어요 is 'tall and handsome'.
Options: 음악을 듣고 공부해요. · 음악을 듣지만 공부해요. · 음악을 들어서 공부해요. · 음악을 들으면서 공부해요.
음악을 들으면서 공부해요.. For two things at once use -(으)면서, not -고: 들으면서 공부해요.
Options: 고 · 아고 · 어서 · 으면
고. -고 attaches directly to the verb stem to link two actions: 하고. The sentence means "I did my homework and then watched TV."
Options: 싸고 · 싸아고 · 싸어고 · 싸으고
싸고. Adjective + 고 lists qualities and attaches straight to the stem: 싸 + 고 = 싸고. The sentence means "The food at this restaurant is cheap and tasty."
Options: 고 · 예고 · 이고 · 이에고
이고. 학생 ends in a consonant, so it takes 이고 (noun + 이다 + 고). The sentence means "I am a student, and my older sister is an office worker."
Options: 고 · 았고 · 어고 · 으고
고. -고 attaches straight to the stem, with no added 으 and no tense marker when telling actions in order: 씻고. The sentence means "I washed my hands and then ate."
Options: 고 · 아서 · 어서 · 으면
고. To list two activities use verb + 고: 하고 means "did ... and". The sentence means "On the weekend I did the cleaning and the laundry."
Options: 고 · 아고 · 어고 · 으고
고. Adjective + 고 attaches straight to the stem, even after a consonant: 작고. The sentence means "My younger sibling is short and cute."
Options: 저녁을 먹고 샤워했어요. · 저녁을 먹어고 샤워했어요. · 저녁을 먹으고 샤워했어요. · 저녁을 먹지만 샤워했어요.
저녁을 먹고 샤워했어요.. For actions in sequence use verb + 고: 먹고 (no added 으 or 어). -지만 shows contrast, so it gives the wrong meaning. The sentence means "I ate dinner and then showered."
Options: 여름은 더우고 겨울은 추워요. · 여름은 더워고 겨울은 추워요. · 여름은 덥고 겨울은 추워요. · 여름은 덥으고 겨울은 추워요.
여름은 덥고 겨울은 추워요.. -고 starts with a consonant, so 덥다 keeps its ㅂ: 덥고 (the ㅂ change only happens before a vowel). The sentence means "Summer is hot and winter is cold."
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