[Korean Grammar] -는 이상 Expressing Causes and Reasons

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가: 여양 씨는 우리 회사가 마음에 안 드나 봐요. 지각도 잦고 일도 불성실하게 하더라고요.
 It seems like Yeoyang isn't fond of our company. He’s frequently late and is insincere in his work.
나: 회사가 마음에 안 들어도 우리 회사 직원으로 일하는 이상 열심히 일해야지요.
Even if he doesn’t like the company, he still has to work hard as long as he’s a company employee.
가: 그렇죠. 그런데 이번 프로젝트가 예상보다 시간이 많이 걸리는 것 같던데 다음 주까지 끝낼 수 있겠어요?
Right. By the way, it looks like the current project is taking a lot longer than expected, so do you think you can finish it by next week?
나: 계약서에 그렇게 하기로 서명을 한 이상 무슨 일이 있어도 끝내야죠.
To the extent that I signed a contract to do so, then I have to finish it no matter what.


This expression indicates that due to the content of the preceding clause being already decided or certain, then the next course of action is clear or obvious. In other words, it means the same as "since the situation has already become such that ~, " or "since the situation is such that ~, "



• 국민의 대부분이 반대하는 이상 정부도 계속 이 일을 추진할 수는 없을 것이다.
Since most of the country’s citizens are against it, the government won’t be able to continue to promote it.

• 부장님의 비리를 알게 된 이상 그냥 가만히 있을 수는 없었습니다.
Since we had learned of the department head’s corruption, we couldn’t just be quiet about it.

• 정신병자가 아닌 이상 그런 일을 할 리가 없지요.
There’s no reason anyone would do that if they're not insane.

>> You can click on the title of each grammar below to see other grammars which also express 'Causes and Reasons'

1. -(으)로 인해서
2 -는 통에
3. -(으)로 말미암아
4. -느니만큼
5. -는 이상
6. -기로서니
7. -기에 망정이지
8. -(느)ㄴ답시고
9. -(으)ㅁ으로써
10. -기에 
11. -길래

>> Full of 'Korean grammar in use - Advanced': Click here
>> Full of 'Korean grammar in use - Intermediate': Click here

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