(으)ㄹ 리가 없다

Adjective/Verb + (으)ㄹ 리가 없다: This pattern is equivalent to the phrase 'There is no reason why...' or 'There is no reason (to) ~.' It is used to express disbelief, skepticism or doubt.

This pattern (negative form) must be used as a declarative statement and cannot be used as an interrogative statement. To use as an interrogative statement one must use the positive form A/V + (으)ㄹ 리가 있다.

Conjugation Rule

Conjugation Rule

	Pattern	Case	Example
Rule 1:	Adjective/Verb + ㄹ 리가 없다	If there is no 받침 or if the adjective/verb stem has ㄹ as a 받침
Rule 2:	Adjective/Verb + 을 리가 없다	If there is a 받침 at the end of the adjective/verb stem

Conjugation Examples

• 하다 → 할 리가 없다
  
• 가다 → 갈 리가 없다
  
• 늦다 → 늦을 리가 없다
  
• 먹다 → 먹을 리가 없다
  

Sentence Examples

Korean	English	Notes
해결책이 없을리가 없어.	There must be a solution.	low form
그렇게 똑똑한 사람이 그런일을 할리가 없어요.	A man so clever as he is not likely to do such a thing.	polite informal form
그 소문은 사실일리가 없어.	The romor couldn't be true.	low form
그 사람이 그런짓을 했을리가 없어.	She cannot have done such a thing.	low form
늦을리가 없어.	There is no reason for delay.	low form
그 사람이 병에 걸렸을리가 없어요.	He cannot have been ill.	polite informal form
니가 그것을 몰랐을리 없어.	It's hardly possible that you don't know about it.	low form
걔가 영어를 잘 할리가 없어.	It's hardly possible that he speaks good English.	low form
그 사람이 그 약속을 잊을리가 없어요.	It's hardly possible that he would forget the plan.	polite informal form
우리 아들이 길을 잃을리 없어.	My son must not be lost.	low form

Exceptions

• Example

Pronunciation

• This grammar should be pronounced as one word (i.e. 갈리가), therefore the ㄹ in 리가 is pronounced like an /l/ sound rather than an /r/ sound.

See Also

• A/V + (으)ㄹ 리가 있다
  

red book 115 yonsei pg 40 snu level 4 pg 18