Confusion over particles!

[sheenayun]

Hello everyone (:

I just started learning korean last month. I am currently learning the grammars and I am facing some confusion between the subject marking particles (이/가)and object marking particles (을/를).

From what i read in the PDFs, object marking particles (을/를) are more commonly used for action verbs.
However I have came across "아유미가 학교에 갑니다. (ayumi-ga hakgyo-e gamnida) - Ayumi goes to school." in the notes. Over here, 가다 is an action verb right? but why is it 가 is used instead of 를.
Is 가다 also a fixed set with 이/가?

& in this case, is there any way i know when to use 이/가 or 을/를?

Thank you so much

[matthew254]

welcome to the forums and congratulations on starting your studies!
great question BTW ^^

However I have came across "아유미가 학교에 갑니다. (ayumi-ga hakgyo-e gamnida) - Ayumi goes to school." in the notes.

In your example, "가" is used because we are talking about Ayumi. I ask myself a series of questions when I try to compose a new sentence.

"Who am I talking about?" "Aymui" "Oh, well then that's the subject."

Over here, 가다 is an action verb right? but why is it 가 is used instead of 를.
Is 가다 also a fixed set with 이/가?
& in this case, is there any way i know when to use 이/가 or 을/를?

Right, 가다 is an action verb (to go). But no, 이/가 are flexible and they can be used in conjunction with any verb.

What may be confusing about this example is that it doesn't use 을/를 at all. Instead, it uses a location particle (에) to mark the object. So, really:

Ayumi = subject
school = object
to go = verb

it's just that (에) is a special particle used in lieu of (을/를). Fear not! it's very common.

A common example that would help explain the difference between 이/가 and 을/를 would be:

현우 씨가 라면을 먹습니다. (Hyunwoo eats ramen)

현우 = subject
씨 = honorific marker
가 = subject marking particle
라면 = ramen noodles
을 = object marking particle
먹 = to eat
-습니다 = formal verb conjugation

hope this helps!

[sheenayun]

Hello (: Thank you for replying!

But i have another query xD haha sorry! mm which is why issit I do not use e topic marking particle (은/는) in this sentence "아유미가 학교에 갑니다". May I know what is the difference between making Ayumi the topic and the subject?

And also, am I right to assume that 을/를 are only used on objects and not on ppl? If on ppl we use the subject marking particle (이/가) instead?
So it is only interchangeable between 을/를 and 에?

Thank you

[yhenry]

Hello, Matthew!

I have a different idea I think is the most brilliant.hehe
Here is what 'I' think;

However I have came across "아유미가 학교에 갑니다. (ayumi-ga hakgyo-e gamnida) - Ayumi goes to school." in the notes.

아유미가 Aumi/subject 학교에 to school/adverb 갑니다 go/verb.

Take 'go' as intransitive verb, then you don't need no object except adverbial modifiers.
Aumi goes to school.

You can use '에' for prepositions like to, at, on, or in.
어디가니? 집에 간다
어디있니? 집에 at home 방에 in room 있다
어디 놨니? 책상에 on desk

Over here, 가다 is an action verb right? but why is it 가 is used instead of 를.
Is 가다 also a fixed set with 이/가?
& in this case, is there any way i know when to use 이/가 or 을/를?

이/가 is used for the doer.
을/를 is used for object.

Like I said, 'go' has no object, thus, 을/를 is not proper.
If transitive verb, then 을/를 is used only for the object and 이/가 for the subject.
There should be no confusion about that.

Like 'eat' as transitive, Aumi eats rice; 아유미가 밥을 먹는다
As intransitive, Aumi eats in a hurry 아유미가 빨리 먹는다

As in '아유미를 좋아하니?", 아유미 is object of verb 'like'.
In this case the subject is not mentioned but assumed depending on whom is spoken to.

Any better?