A Corpus-based Study on the Similar Repetition Constructions: Focused on the Ending Repetition Form of ‘-거나/건’, ‘-든/든지/든가’

This study examines the similar repetition ending forms of ‘-거나/건’, ‘-든/든지/든가’ in Korean through a corpus-based approach. The primary aim is to analyze the grammatical, semantic, and discourse similarities and differences among these repeated constructions and provide practical insights for Korean grammar education. While these forms share the semantic feature of “choice” and exhibit structural similarities, their usage contexts reveal unique syntactic and pragmatic constraints. This paper also addresses gaps in existing Korean grammar dictionaries, which often fail to distinguish these forms’ nuanced uses, causing challenges for Korean language learners. By systematically comparing these constructions, the study offers a more comprehensive framework for understanding their application and variability, contributing to the development of effective instructional materials for teaching Korean as a foreign language.