EP: Ending_prefinal (선어말 어미)
Definition
EP refers to a prefinal ending that appears before various types of endings, such as EF (Ending_closing, 종결어미), EC (Ending_connecting, 연결어미), ETN (Ending_nounal, 명사형 전성 어미), and ETM (Ending_determinative, 관형형 전성 어미).
Characteristics
- EP does not function as an independent word but modifies the meaning of a predicate, typically by adding grammatical information such as tense, aspect, or honorifics.
- EP can appear in succession. The usual order is that honorific endings precede tense-related ones.
- Examples:
- 친구가 좋아했습니다: past tense
- 아버지가 주신 옷: subject honorification
- 잘 지내셨어요?: 지내(VV) + 시(EP) + 었(EP) + 어요
Boundary cases and clarifications
Special cases
- Usage of ‘-시-‘ as an honorific EP:
- ‘-시-‘ functions as an honorific EP and can combine with both (1) ordinary lexical verbs and (2) verbs that inherently convey honorific meanings.
- (3) Some verbs inherently include the syllable ‘시’ in their stem, so it is important not to misparse them as an EP.
- (1) 약을 드시다: 들(VV) + 시(EP) + 다(EF)
- (2) 진지를 잡수시다: 잡수(VV) + 시(EP) + 다(EF)
- (3) 손님을 모시다: 모시(VV) + 다(EF)
Examples
- 그때는 휴대폰이 없었어요.
- 어제 도서관에서 공부했어요.
- 앞으로도 열심히 노력하겠습니다.
- 그녀의 첫인상은 무서웠었지만 알고 보니 재밌는 사람이에요.
- 저를 응원해 주셨던 많은 분들께 감사합니다.