다가 [Intermediate Grammar]

- 다가

→ '-다가'(refer to Intermediate 1, Lesson 4) standing for 'stopping an action or changing to another action' also indicates a cause or a reason.' It means that among the actions taken in a preceding part, the action can lead to an unexpected following result. When the action of the preceding part is completed and the unexpected result of the following part is shown, -았/었다가' is used.

Example:  

1. 날마다 이렇게 놀다가 시험에 떨어지면 어떻게 하려고 그래요?

 If you play like this every day and fail an exam, what would you do?

2. 백화점에 갔다가 우연히 중학교 동창생을 만났어요.
I went to a department store and came across a school fellow from my middle school.

3. 사과하지 않았다가 나중에 큰 싸움이 일어났어요.
He didn't apologize and it caused a big fight afterward.

4. 과속을 하다가 경찰에게 잡혔어요.

I was caught by the police while speeding.

5. 할까 말까 망설이다가 좋은 기회를 놓쳤어요.

I hesitated whether to do it or not, and missed a good opportunity.