Type 3: Underlined part — same meaning

The third type asks you to replace an underlined expression in a short passage with a different expression of the same meaning. You have to pick the most natural reading given the context.

Strategy 1: Read the contextual meaning

The same grammar can shift in nuance depending on context. Use the context to decide whether the underlined expression conveys regret, a warning, or a hypothesis.

그때 충고를 들었더라면 이런 실수는 하지 않았을 것이다.

geuttae chunggo-reul deureotdeoramyeon ireon silsu-neun haji anaisseul geos-ida.

If only I had listened to the advice then, I wouldn't have made this mistake.

The underlined '들었더라면' is a counterfactual hypothesis about the past, so it can be swapped for '들었다면' or '들었으면', and it carries a sense of regret.

Strategy 2: Decode the idiomatic meaning

When the underlined part is an idiom, choose the figurative meaning rather than the literal one.

발표를 앞두고 그는 발이 떨어지지 않는 듯 한참을 망설였다.

balpyo-reul apdugo geu-neun bal-i tteoreojiji anneun deut hancham-eul mangseolyeotda.

Before the presentation, he hesitated for a long while as if his feet wouldn't move.

The idiom '발이 떨어지지 않다' means being unable to leave or start something easily, so it matches '쉽게 나서지 못하다' (unable to step forward easily).

Strategy 3: Read the speaker's attitude

이렇게 늦게까지 일할 줄 알았으면 점심을 든든히 먹어 둘걸.

ireoke neutgekkaji ilhal jul arasseumyeon jeomsim-eul deundeunhi meogeo dulgeol.

Had I known I'd work this late, I should have eaten a hearty lunch.

'-(으)ㄹ걸' (geol) expresses mild regret or wistfulness, so it has the same meaning as '먹어 둘 걸 그랬다'.

Underlined	Same meaning	Attitude
-았/었더라면	-았/었다면, -았/었으면	후회·반사실
-(으)ㄹ걸	-(으)ㄹ 걸 그랬다	아쉬움
발이 떨어지지 않다	쉽게 나서지 못하다	주저

Strategy 4: Swap obligation and inevitability forms

'-(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다' means there's no other choice (inevitability), while '-지 않을 수 없다' is a double negative meaning it's bound to happen (emphasis). Both can be read as a strong sense of necessity.

값이 올라서 덜 살 수밖에 없다.

gabs-i ollaseo deol sal subakke eopda.

Prices rose, so I have no choice but to buy less.

그의 노력에 감동하지 않을 수 없다.

geu-ui noryeog-e gamdonghaji aneul su eopda.

One cannot help but be moved by his effort.

마감이 코앞이라 서두를 수밖에 없었다.

magam-i koap-ira seodureul subakke eopseotda.

The deadline was right ahead, so I had no choice but to hurry.

💡 Tip: When the underline is an idiom or proverb, never read it literally. Pairing up figurative meanings ahead of time lets you solve these quickly.

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