Question 1

Why do we use 표를 instead of 표가?

Accepted Answer

Because 사다 is a transitive verb that takes a direct object. The direct object is marked with the particle -를 (or -을), not -가, which marks the subject. So 표를 샀어요 correctly means “bought the ticket.”

Question 2

What role does 모두 play here?

Accepted Answer

모두 means “all” or “every.” It indicates you bought all of the concert tickets. It directly modifies the object 표. In more casual speech, you can also use 다:  
콘서트 표를 다 샀어요 has the same meaning.

Question 3

Where is the subject in 콘서트 표를 모두 샀어요?

Accepted Answer

Korean often omits the subject when it’s understood. Here, the implied subject is 저 (I) or 우리가 (we). If you wanted to include it, you could say (제가) 콘서트 표를 모두 샀어요: “I bought all the concert tickets.”

Question 4

Why is the verb ending 샀어요 used?

Accepted Answer

샀어요 is the polite past-tense form of 사다 (to buy) using the -아/어요 conjugation. It’s suitable for everyday polite conversation. For casual speech you’d use 샀어, and for very formal situations 샀습니다.

Question 5

Can 모두 be placed in a different position?

Accepted Answer

Typically, adverbs like 모두 follow the object particle to modify the noun cleanly: 표를 모두 샀어요. Placing it before the noun (모두 콘서트 표를 샀어요) is grammatically possible but sounds less natural in Korean word order.

Question 6

What’s the nuance if I use the topic marker 은/는 instead of 를 on 표?

Accepted Answer

Using 표는 모두 샀어요 makes 표 the topic (“As for the tickets, I bought them all”) and adds a slight contrast or emphasis. 표를 모두 샀어요 simply marks 표 as the object without that extra topical nuance.

Question 7

How would I say “I bought all 10 tickets” in Korean?

Accepted Answer

Include the counter for flat items:  
콘서트 표 열 장을 모두 샀어요.  
In casual speech you might say: 콘서트 표 열 장 다 샀어.

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