V-(으)ㄹ걸 그랬다 grammar = 'I should have' ~regret not doing something better than what was done

L2.82 V-(으)ㄹ걸 그랬다 grammar = 'I should have done' ~regret not doing something better than what was actually done

Usage:
- V-(으)ㄹ걸 그랬다 = regret not doing something better than what was actually done = 'I would/should have done' in English

- The expression is shortened to -(으)ㄹ걸 in the informal speaking.

- A/V-았/었어야 했는데 grammar is similar to V-(으)ㄹ걸 그랬다 grammar, but they are different as follows:

   + A/V-았/었어야 했는데 = regret something should have done but did not.

   + V-(으)ㄹ걸 그랬다 = regret not doing something better than what was actually done

Tense :

1. Positive statement (긍정) : V-(으)ㄹ걸 그랬다

가다 -- 갈걸 그랬다
먹다 -- 먹을걸 그랬다
말하다 -- 말할걸 그랬다

2. Negative statement (부정) : V-지 말걸 그랬다 or 안 V-(으)ㄹ걸 그랬다

가다 -- 가지 말걸 그랬다  -- 안 갈걸 그랬다
먹다 -- 먹지 말걸 그랬다 -- 안 먹을걸 그랬다
말하다 -- 말하지 말걸 그랬다 -- 말을 안 할걸 그랬다

Examples:

1. 회의에서 모들 사람들이 정장을 입고 왔네요. 저도 정장을 입고 올걸 그랬어요.

Everyone is dressed formally in the meeting. I should have worn my formal clothes too.

2. 와, 이 화장품이 50% 세일을 하네요.
- 진짜요? 이렇게 세일할 줄 알았으면 조금만 기다릴걸 그랬어요. 지난주에 샀거든요.

Wow, this cosmetics is in sale 50% off.
- Really? If I had known they were having such a big sale, I would have waited a bit longer. I bought one last week.

3. 어제 문화 축제에 안 갔는데 선물이 많이 주었다고 해요. 축제에 갈걸 그랬어요.

Yesterday, I didn't go to the culture festival, but I heard that they gave a lot of presents. I would have gone to the festival.

4. 시험이 너무 어려워서 시험을 망쳤어요. 이렇게 시험이 어려울 줄 알았으면 공부를 더 많이 할걸 그랬어요.

The test was so difficult that I failed it. If I had known that, I would have studied more.

5. 친구랑 놀러 갔는데 갑자기 비가 왔어요. 가지 말걸 그랬어요.

I went out with my friend, but it suddenly rained. I shouldn't have gone out.

6. 우리가 여행 간다는데 너도 같이 갈래?
- 나도 가고 싶은데 돈이 없어. 이럴 줄 알았으면 돌을 좀 아껴 쓸걸.

We plan going for a trip, so will you go with us?
- I also want to go but I don't have money. If I have known this,I would have spent my money wisely.

7. 음식을 너무 준비해서 많이 남았어요. 음식을 조금만 요리할걸 그랬어요.

I prepared a lot of food, so a lot remained. I should have cooked a little.

8. 한국 회사에 일하고 싶은데 한국말은 조금만 알아요. 한국말 열심히 공부할걸 그랬어요.

I want to work in a Korean company, but I can speak only a little Korean. I should have studied Korean diligently.

9. 오늘 퇴근시간에 택시를 탔는데 길이 너무 막혀요. 지하철을 탈걸 그랬어요.

Today I caught a taxi in the rush hour, but the street got jammed heavily. I should have taken the subway.

10. 이 영화가 너무 재미없어요. 다른 영화를 볼걸 그랬어요.

This movie is so boring. I would have watched another one.