B2 · Upper Intermediate Chapter 19

Citing Sources and Causes

4 Total Rules
40 examples
5 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of explaining causes, citing sources, and setting conditions like a native speaker.

  • Distinguish between internal and external causes for negative outcomes.
  • Integrate news and professional reports using proper citation structures.
  • Express conditional dependencies and universal independence in any situation.
Mastering nuance: from causes to conditions.

What You'll Learn

Ready to fine-tune your Korean to B2? This chapter is your secret weapon for sounding truly native when you discuss *why* things happen and *who* or *what* is responsible. You’ll master four essential grammar patterns to express cause, blame, external information, and conditional relationships with precision. First, you'll master attributing negative outcomes. Ever want to subtly blame someone or explain an unexpected mishap? We'll show you how to use -탓에 for assigning blame ('Because of you, I was late!') and -바람에 for sudden, unforeseen problems ('Traffic caused me to be late!'). This nuance is key for B2 speakers. Then, learn to cite information like a pro with -에 따르면. This isn't just 'according to,' it's about correctly integrating reports and news, always paired with the right indirect speech ending like -대요. Imagine discussing current events or sharing advice – you'll do it seamlessly. Next, master -에 따라(서), a versatile expression linking changing results to specific variables. Explain how your exam score *depends on* study effort, or how prices *vary according to* the season. Finally, express absolute independence with -ㄴ/은/는 관계없이. Declare something is true *regardless of* age, cost, or any other condition. Say things like, 'No matter the weather, I'm going!' By chapter's end, you'll confidently wield these rules, expressing complex ideas with native-like accuracy. You'll articulate causes, cite sources, and discuss dependencies, truly elevating your Korean. Get ready to impress!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Articulate specific causes for negative events using -탓에 and -바람에.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Synthesize information from external sources using -에 따르면.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Describe variable results based on changing factors using -에 따라.
  4. 4
    By the end you will be able to: Assert statements that remain true regardless of context using -관계없이.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Welcome to your next step in mastering B2 Korean grammar! This chapter is meticulously designed to elevate your ability to articulate *why* things happen, *who* or *what* is responsible, and how information is presented in Korean. Moving beyond basic cause-and-effect, you'll delve into nuances that are crucial for sounding truly native and expressing complex ideas with precision. Understanding these advanced patterns is key to unlocking a higher level of fluency and engaging in sophisticated conversations.
By focusing on specific expressions for cause, blame, external information, and conditional relationships, you'll gain the tools to discuss current events, share opinions based on reports, and explain dependencies like a seasoned speaker. This isn't just about memorizing rules; it's about integrating them into your natural speech to convey subtle meanings. Get ready to refine your Korean grammar and impress with your enhanced communicative abilities.
We'll cover four essential grammar patterns: -탓에, -바람에, -에 따르면, -에 따라(서), and -ㄴ/은/는 관계없이. Each one offers a unique way to connect ideas, attribute outcomes, and structure arguments, pushing your B2 Korean skills to new heights.

How This Grammar Works

Let's dive into the core mechanics of these powerful Korean grammar patterns, each offering a distinct way to express causality, citation, or dependency.
First, for attributing negative outcomes, we have -탓에 and -바람에. -탓에 is used when you want to assign blame or fault for a negative result, often implying a specific person or action is responsible. It carries a stronger negative connotation than a simple "because of." For example: 네 탓에 우리가 늦었어. (We were late because of you.) Here, "you" are directly blamed. On the other hand, -바람에 is used for sudden, unforeseen negative consequences, typically caused by external circumstances or events beyond one's control. It doesn't imply blame but rather an unfortunate chain of events. For instance: 갑자기 비가 오는 바람에 소풍이 취소됐어요. (The picnic was canceled because it suddenly rained.)
Next, when you need to cite sources or report information professionally, you'll use -에 따르면. This pattern means "according to" and is essential for integrating news, reports, or official statements. Crucially, it almost always pairs with indirect speech endings like -대요 (short for -다고 해요) or -라고 합니다. For example: 뉴스에 따르면 내일 날씨가 맑대요. (According to the news, the weather will be clear tomorrow.)
Then, to express how something changes or varies based on a specific factor, we use -에 따라(서). This versatile expression means "depending on," "according to," or "in accordance with." It highlights a relationship where one element's state or outcome is determined by another. You can use either -에 따라 or -에 따라서 interchangeably. For example: 가격은 계절에 따라 달라져요. (Prices vary according to the season.)
Finally, to express absolute independence from a condition, you'll master -ㄴ/은/는 관계없이. This pattern translates to "regardless of" or "irrespective of," indicating that a certain condition or factor does not influence the outcome. It's perfect for making strong, unconditional statements. For instance: 나이와 관계없이 누구나 참여할 수 있어요. (Anyone can participate regardless of age.)

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 교통체증 탓에 비행기를 놓쳤어요. (I missed the flight because of traffic congestion [blaming traffic].)
✓ Correct: 교통체증 바람에 비행기를 놓쳤어요. (I missed the flight due to traffic congestion [unforeseen circumstance].)
*Explanation:* While -탓에 indicates a cause for a negative outcome, it strongly implies blame or fault, often human. Traffic congestion is an external, unforeseen event, making -바람에 the more natural and appropriate choice to express the negative consequence without assigning blame.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 기상청에 따르면 "내일은 춥다." (According to the meteorological agency, "Tomorrow is cold.")
✓ Correct: 기상청에 따르면 내일은 춥대요. (According to the meteorological agency, tomorrow is cold.)
*Explanation:* -에 따르면 always requires an indirect speech ending (like -대요, -라고 합니다, -다고 합니다, etc.) to properly integrate the reported information into the sentence. Using direct speech or omitting the indirect speech ending is grammatically incorrect in this context.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 열심히 공부한 것에 따라 시험에 합격했어요. (I passed the exam according to studying hard.)
✓ Correct: 노력에 따라 결과가 달라져요. (Results vary depending on effort.) / 열심히 공부해서 시험에 합격했어요. (I studied hard, so I passed the exam.)
*Explanation:* -에 따라 indicates a variable relationship or a consequence of a *changing factor*, not a direct cause for a single, completed event. For a direct cause resulting in a specific outcome, simpler conjunctions like -아/어서 or -기 때문에 are more suitable. The "wrong" example awkwardly implies the passing was *conditional* on studying rather than a direct result.

Real Conversations

A

A

네 탓에 중요한 회의에 늦었잖아! (Because of you, I was late for the important meeting!)
B

B

미안해, 갑자기 차가 고장 나는 바람에 어쩔 수 없었어. (I'm sorry, my car suddenly broke down, so I couldn't help it.)
A

A

새로운 연구 결과에 따르면 커피가 건강에 좋대요. (According to new research, coffee is good for your health.)
B

B

정말요? 그럼 이제 마음 놓고 마셔도 되겠네요. (Really? Then I can drink it without worry now.)
A

A

이용 요금은 사용하는 시간에 따라 달라지나요? (Does the usage fee vary depending on the time you use it?)
B

B

아니요, 시간과 관계없이 한 달에 만 원이에요. (No, regardless of the time, it's 10,000 won per month.)

Quick FAQ

Q

How do -탓에 and -바람에 differ from -때문에 in B2 Korean grammar?

-때문에 is a neutral "because of." -탓에 implies blame or fault for a negative outcome. -바람에 suggests an unforeseen, often sudden, negative consequence from external factors.

Q

Can I use -에 따르면 to report my own opinion in Korean?

No, -에 따르면 is strictly for citing external, often objective, sources like news, reports, or official statements, not personal opinions.

Q

Is there a difference between -에 따라 and -에 따라서?

While largely interchangeable, -에 따라서 can sometimes feel slightly more complete or emphatic, but their core meaning and usage for expressing dependency remain the same.

Q

What's a common mistake when using -ㄴ/은/는 관계없이?

A common mistake is trying to attach it to a verb phrase directly without nominalizing it first. Remember to use -는 것 or a noun form before 관계없이. For example, 날씨가 좋은 것과 관계없이 (regardless of the weather being good).

Cultural Context

In Korean communication, the choice between -탓에 and -바람에 subtly reflects how speakers perceive responsibility and express frustration. Using -탓에 can be quite direct and, depending on the context and relationship, might be seen as confrontational. In contrast, -바람에 allows for expressing negative outcomes while subtly deflecting direct blame, often used when explaining unfortunate circumstances. Citing sources with -에 따르면 is a mark of educated speech and is crucial in formal settings or when conveying verified information, reflecting a value placed on credible sources. These nuances are vital for achieving true B2 Korean fluency and demonstrating cultural awareness.

Key Examples (8)

1

비가 많이 오는 바람에 축구 경기가 취소됐어요.

Because it rained a lot (suddenly), the soccer match was canceled.

Blaming Others: -탓에 and -바람에
2

어제 술을 많이 마신 탓에 오늘 머리가 너무 아파요.

Because I drank a lot yesterday, my head hurts so much today.

Blaming Others: -탓에 and -바람에
3

일기 예보에 따르면 내일은 하루 종일 비가 온대요.

According to the weather forecast, it says it will rain all day tomorrow.

According to... (-에 따르면)
4

최근 조사 결과에 따르면 한국인의 커피 소비량이 늘었대요.

According to recent survey results, Korean coffee consumption has increased.

According to... (-에 따르면)
5

사람에 따라 성격이 다 달라요.

Personalities are all different depending on the person.

Depending on ( -에 따라 / -에 따라서 )
6

날씨에 따라서 옷차림이 바뀌어요.

Outfits change depending on the weather.

Depending on ( -에 따라 / -에 따라서 )
7

이유에 관계없이 지각은 안 돼요.

Regardless of the reason, being late is not allowed.

Regardless of / Irrespective of (-ㄴ/은/는 관계없이)
8

날씨에 관계없이 경기는 계속됩니다.

The match continues regardless of the weather.

Regardless of / Irrespective of (-ㄴ/은/는 관계없이)

Tips & Tricks (4)

⚠️

Avoid Positives

Never use these for good things.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Blaming Others: -탓에 and -바람에
💡

Use it for credibility

Adding a source makes your argument stronger.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: According to... (-에 따르면)
💡

Noun Only

Always check that you are attaching this to a noun. If you have a verb, change it to a noun form first.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Depending on ( -에 따라 / -에 따라서 )
💡

Use '에' for flow

Adding '에' makes the sentence sound much more natural.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Regardless of / Irrespective of (-ㄴ/은/는 관계없이)

Key Vocabulary (6)

결과 result 뉴스 news 탓 fault 관계 relation 변화 change 보고서 report

Real-World Preview

briefcase

Debriefing a Project

Review Summary

  • Noun + 탓에 / Verb + (으)ㄴ/는 바람에
  • Noun + 에 따르면
  • Noun + 에 따라(서)
  • Noun + (과/와) 관계없이

Common Mistakes

-탓에 is strictly for negative outcomes. You cannot use it for positive results.

Wrong: 비가 온 탓에 기분이 좋아요.
Correct: 비가 온 탓에 기분이 나빠요.

Use -에 따르면 for citations, not -에 따라서.

Wrong: 뉴스에 따라서 말했어요.
Correct: 뉴스에 따르면 말했어요.

Always include the particle -와/과 before 관계없이.

Wrong: 나이 관계없이 공부해요.
Correct: 나이와 관계없이 공부해요.

Next Steps

You have navigated the complexities of B2 causality! Keep practicing these in your daily conversations to solidify your fluency.

Listen to a Korean news broadcast and identify one citation.

Continue to: Advanced Descriptive Patterns

Quick Practice (10)

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

가다에 관계없이 갑니다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가는 것에 관계없이
Must nominalize the verb.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Regardless of / Irrespective of (-ㄴ/은/는 관계없이)

Fill in the blank.

비 ___ 못 갔다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 탓에
Negative result.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Blaming Others: -탓에 and -바람에

Fill in the blank.

___에 상관없이 모두 가능합니다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 직업
The particle '에' is already in the sentence.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Regardless of / Irrespective of (-ㄴ/은/는 관계없이)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 뉴스에 따르면
Correct particle usage.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: According to... (-에 따르면)

Formal vs Informal.

Which is better for a report?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 뉴스에 따르면
Most formal.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: According to... (-에 따르면)

Choose the correct form.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 날씨에 관계없이
Adding '에' is the standard form.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Regardless of / Irrespective of (-ㄴ/은/는 관계없이)

Correct the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

가다에 따라 다릅니다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가는 것에 따라 다릅니다.
Must be a noun form.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Depending on ( -에 따라 / -에 따라서 )

Choose the correct form.

날씨___ 달라요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 에 따라
It depends on the weather.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Depending on ( -에 따라 / -에 따라서 )

Fill in the blank.

뉴스___ 따르면 비가 옵니다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 에
The particle is -에.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: According to... (-에 따르면)

Fill in the blank.

___에 따르면 경제가 어렵습니다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 보고서
Noun is required.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: According to... (-에 따르면)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

No, never.
Yes, e.g., 선생님에 따르면.
Yes, it is standard for reports.
No, you must turn the verb into a noun form first (e.g., -는 것에 따라).
They are functionally the same, but -에 따라서 is slightly more formal and emphatic.
Yes, as long as it makes logical sense.
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Advanced Descriptive Patterns
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