Your goal
Explain why advice is hard to follow and ask about an alternative.
Even useful advice may not work when the desk is closed or internet access is unavailable. Ask instead of applying one answer to every condition.
Before you start
- 조건
- condition required for a method
- 경우
- case or situation
- 예외
- exception to a usual approach
- 방문하다
- visit in person
- 마감
- closing time or deadline
- 가능 여부
- whether something is possible
Explore the situation
Consultation notes
Collection notice and Mina’s constraints
Choose among the methods confirmed by staff.
| Item | Recorded information |
|---|---|
| Desk | 오후 다섯 시까지 종이 자료를 받을 수 있어요. |
| Mina | 일이 오후 여섯 시에 끝나요. 전자우편은 사용할 수 있어요. |
| Alternative | 전자우편 사용이 가능하면 파일로 보내 드릴게요. |
Recheck each person’s time and tools.
Learn the expressions
First state the limiting condition. 방문하기 어려운 경우에는요? asks about an alternative when the preceding advice requires a visit. The topic must be clear from the conversation.
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| When a visit is not possible | 방문하기 어려운 경우에는요? |
| Time constraint | 오후 다섯 시 전에 갈 수 없는 경우에는요? |
| A condition and an alternative | 방문하기 어려우면 전자우편으로 받을 수 있어요? |
| An unconfirmed option | 대리 수령이 가능한지 확인해 봐야 해요. |
Compare 어렵다→어려우면 and 바쁘다→바쁘면. 경우에는요? is a short follow-up based on the previous context; 어려우면 …? can name an alternative.
Read the conversation
Visiting is difficult
오후 다섯 시까지 창구에서 자료를 받을 수 있어요.
Show meaning
You can collect the materials at the desk until 5 p.m.
저는 여섯 시에 일이 끝나요. 방문하기 어려운 경우에는요?
Show meaning
I finish work at six. What if I cannot visit?
전자우편을 사용할 수 있으면 파일로 보내 드릴게요.
Show meaning
If you can use email, I can send a file.
Internet is unavailable
오늘 인터넷을 사용할 수 없는데 다른 방법이 있어요?
Show meaning
I cannot use the internet today. Is there another option?
오후 다섯 시 전에는 창구에서 종이 자료를 받을 수 있어요.
Show meaning
Before five, you can collect a paper copy at the desk.
친구가 대신 받는 것도 가능해요?
Show meaning
Can a friend collect it instead?
Build a sentence
Check the details shown on the cards and try a sentence before revealing the example. Then assemble the sentence pieces.
Explore the situation and respond
Internet available
- Condition
- 오늘 방문은 어렵지만 전자우편을 사용할 수 있어요.
Example and explanation
방문하기 어려우면 전자우편으로 받을 수 있어요?
Ask staff about the file option.
No internet today
- Condition
- 오후 네 시에 방문할 수 있어요. 창구는 다섯 시까지 열려요.
Example and explanation
오후 네 시에 종이 자료를 받을 수 있어요?
Check an option that fits the time.
Proxy collection unknown
- Notice
- 친구의 대리 수령 규칙은 안내에 없어요.
Example and explanation
친구가 대신 받을 수 있어요?
Do not assume permission or prohibition.
Sentence-piece practice
1. Ask about being unable to visit.
Sentence pieces
- 경우에는요?
- 방문하기 어려운
2. Ask about receiving a file when visiting is difficult.
Sentence pieces
- 전자우편으로 받을 수 있어요?
- 방문하기 어려우면
Practice
Choose a response that fits the situation using the expressions you learned.
1. Desk closes at five; work ends at six. What should you ask?
- 여섯 시에도 열려 있으니까 갈게요.
- 이미 자료를 받았어요.
- 방문하기 어려운 경우에는요?
2. Which conditional form of 어렵다 is correct?
- 어려으면
- 어려우면
- 어렵으면
3. The file option requires email access. What must be checked?
- 전자우편을 사용할 수 있는지예요.
- 친구의 옷 색이에요.
- 모든 창구가 무료인지예요.
4. No proxy collection rule is given. Can a friend collect it?
- Friends can always collect.
- Omission means it is forbidden.
- Ask staff whether it is allowed.
Try a new situation
Consultation notes
Aki, Jun and Yuna’s different conditions
The desk is open until five; staff have confirmed file delivery.
| Item | Recorded information |
|---|---|
| Aki | 오늘 인터넷을 사용할 수 없어요. 오후4시에 방문할 수 있어요. |
| Jun | 오늘 방문할 수 없어요. 전자우편을 사용할 수 있어요. |
| Yuna | 방문 가능한 시간과 인터넷 사용 여부는 아직 몰라요. |
| Unknown | 친구가 대신 받을 수 있는지는 아직 확인 중이에요. |
Do not apply the same solution to every person.
Use the new role information. Write the required details in Korean and try saying them.
Tasks
Try the tasks first, then compare with the answers and examples in step 10.
1. As Aki, explain that internet is unavailable today.
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
2. Ask briefly about being unable to use email. End the written question with a question mark (?).
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
3. Ask whether Aki can collect paper at four. End the written question with a question mark (?).
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
4. Ask whether a file is available if visiting is difficult. End the written question with a question mark (?).
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
5. Ask whether a friend may collect instead. End the written question with a question mark (?).
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
Does the advice fit these conditions?
Combine the desk’s 17:00 closing time and file availability with the three people’s conditions.
Aki collects paper at 16:00 today.
- Fits the conditions
- Does not fit
- Needs checking
Aki downloads it online today.
- Fits the conditions
- Does not fit
- Needs checking
Jun receives the file by email.
- Fits the conditions
- Does not fit
- Needs checking
Collect at the desk at 18:00 today.
- Fits the conditions
- Does not fit
- Needs checking
Yuna visits at 16:00 today.
- Fits the conditions
- Does not fit
- Needs checking
A friend collects the materials instead.
- Fits the conditions
- Does not fit
- Needs checking
Check your learning
Read the new conditions and distinguish the key information.
1. Aki has no internet today but can visit at four; desk closes at five. Which is feasible?
- 지금 전자우편 파일을 내려받아요.
- 오후 네 시에 종이 자료를 받아요.
- 오후 여섯 시에 창구에서 받아요.
2. If Aki could only visit at six, would the same paper option fit?
- It would not fit; ask for another option.
- The time does not matter.
- The desk automatically stays open longer.
3. Jun has internet, cannot visit, and staff confirm file delivery. What fits?
- 창구에 이미 도착했어요.
- 대리 수령이 확정됐어요.
- 전자우편으로 파일을 받아요.
4. Which question includes a limiting condition?
- 이유 없이 날짜를 바꿔요.
- 방문하기 어려우면 전자우편으로 받을 수 있어요?
- 방문과 전자우편은 모두 끝났어요.
5. Yuna’s time and internet access are both unknown. What first?
- 언제 방문할 수 있는지와 인터넷 사용 여부를 물어요.
- 유나는 종이 자료만 받을 수 있어요.
- 유나는 어떤 방법도 사용할 수 없어요.
6. Staff are still checking proxy collection. Which statement fits?
- 친구가 이미 자료를 받았어요.
- 누구나 대신 받을 수 있어요.
- 친구가 대신 받을 수 있는지 확인 중이에요.
Reflect on your reading
Tick only what you actually checked. Feedback from another person is optional and is not required to finish the lesson.
Answers and explanations
Show answers and explanations
Practice questions
1. Desk closes at five; work ends at six. What should you ask?
Answer: 방문하기 어려운 경우에는요?
Ask about the conflicting time constraint.
- 여섯 시에도 열려 있으니까 갈게요. — Six o’clock opening is not stated.
- 이미 자료를 받았어요. — Collection has not occurred.
2. Which conditional form of 어렵다 is correct?
Answer: 어려우면
The form is 어려우면.
- 어려으면 — 어려으면 is malformed.
- 어렵으면 — 어렵으면 is not the form.
3. The file option requires email access. What must be checked?
Answer: 전자우편을 사용할 수 있는지예요.
That is the direct condition.
- 친구의 옷 색이에요. — Unrelated to this option.
- 모든 창구가 무료인지예요. — Not the condition stated here.
4. No proxy collection rule is given. Can a friend collect it?
Answer: Ask staff whether it is allowed.
Ask about missing rules.
- Friends can always collect. — Permission is not confirmed.
- Omission means it is forbidden. — Unknown does not mean forbidden.
Learning check
1. Aki has no internet today but can visit at four; desk closes at five. Which is feasible?
Answer: 오후 네 시에 종이 자료를 받아요.
It satisfies both availability conditions.
- 지금 전자우편 파일을 내려받아요. — Internet is unavailable today.
- 오후 여섯 시에 창구에서 받아요. — That is after closing.
2. If Aki could only visit at six, would the same paper option fit?
Answer: It would not fit; ask for another option.
Feasibility depends on conditions.
- The time does not matter. — Closing time is stated.
- The desk automatically stays open longer. — No such agreement exists.
3. Jun has internet, cannot visit, and staff confirm file delivery. What fits?
Answer: 전자우편으로 파일을 받아요.
This is a confirmed digital alternative.
- 창구에 이미 도착했어요. — He cannot visit.
- 대리 수령이 확정됐어요. — Proxy collection is a separate question.
4. Which question includes a limiting condition?
Answer: 방문하기 어려우면 전자우편으로 받을 수 있어요?
It asks about an alternative after 어려우면.
- 이유 없이 날짜를 바꿔요. — It is a different topic.
- 방문과 전자우편은 모두 끝났어요. — It reports completion, not a condition.
5. Yuna’s time and internet access are both unknown. What first?
Answer: 언제 방문할 수 있는지와 인터넷 사용 여부를 물어요.
Check constraints before choosing a method.
- 유나는 종이 자료만 받을 수 있어요. — Paper-only access is not established.
- 유나는 어떤 방법도 사용할 수 없어요. — It converts unknowns to impossibility.
6. Staff are still checking proxy collection. Which statement fits?
Answer: 친구가 대신 받을 수 있는지 확인 중이에요.
Preserve the pending status.
- 친구가 이미 자료를 받았어요. — Do not change it to completion.
- 누구나 대신 받을 수 있어요. — Do not generalize to universal permission.
Example answers
Written responses are examples. Other wording can also meet the same conditions.
1. As Aki, explain that internet is unavailable today.
오늘 인터넷을 사용할 수 없어요.
오늘은 인터넷을 사용할 수 없어요.
This is a constraint on action.
2. Ask briefly about being unable to use email. End the written question with a question mark (?).
전자우편을 사용하기 어려운 경우에는요?
인터넷을 사용하기 어려운 경우에는요?
Ask about an exception to the prior advice.
3. Ask whether Aki can collect paper at four. End the written question with a question mark (?).
오후 네 시에 종이 자료를 받을 수 있어요?
오후 4시에 종이 자료를 받을 수 있어요?
Check the feasible time and method.
4. Ask whether a file is available if visiting is difficult. End the written question with a question mark (?).
방문하기 어려우면 전자우편으로 받을 수 있어요?
방문하기 어려우면 파일로 받을 수 있어요?
Connect the condition and alternative.
5. Ask whether a friend may collect instead. End the written question with a question mark (?).
친구가 대신 받을 수 있어요?
친구가 대신 받는 것도 가능해요?
Ask about the unstated rule.
Does the advice fit these conditions?
Consultation notes
Aki, Jun and Yuna’s different conditions
The desk is open until five; staff have confirmed file delivery.
| Item | Recorded information |
|---|---|
| Aki | 오늘 인터넷을 사용할 수 없어요. 오후4시에 방문할 수 있어요. |
| Jun | 오늘 방문할 수 없어요. 전자우편을 사용할 수 있어요. |
| Yuna | 방문 가능한 시간과 인터넷 사용 여부는 아직 몰라요. |
| Unknown | 친구가 대신 받을 수 있는지는 아직 확인 중이에요. |
Do not apply the same solution to every person.
Aki collects paper at 16:00 today. → Fits the conditions
The visit is possible before the desk closes.
Aki downloads it online today. → Does not fit
Aki cannot use the internet today.
Jun receives the file by email. → Fits the conditions
Access is available and staff confirmed delivery.
Collect at the desk at 18:00 today. → Does not fit
The desk closes at 17:00.
Yuna visits at 16:00 today. → Needs checking
Yuna’s availability is unknown.
A friend collects the materials instead. → Needs checking
Proxy collection is still being checked.
Sentence-piece practice
1. Ask about being unable to visit.
방문하기 어려운 경우에는요?
A follow-up to advice to visit.
2. Ask about receiving a file when visiting is difficult.
방문하기 어려우면 전자우편으로 받을 수 있어요?
It asks about a conditional alternative.
Review and continue
Come back to these
Recall with the example closed
Explain why advice is hard to follow and ask about an alternative.
Change one detail
Change a person, action or time and make two sentences.
Combine with earlier expressions
Make a short exchange with a question and response.
Review what felt difficult
Review this expressionAsk about the conditions and exceptions to advice →Earlier learningReconnect the foundation →Look separately at activity completion and core learning results.