~어/아서
When the second clause is sequentially dependent on the first clause
슈퍼에 가서 장을 본다. "I go to the supermarket and buy groceries".
In this example, you can't buy groceries before going to the supermarket. ThusTherefore, they're order dependent.
~다가
- When the action in the first clause is interrupted by or shifts to the action noted in the second clause. They aren't necessarily sequentially or causally related.
- 저전거를 타가다타다가 넘어졌다. "I was riding my bike and I fell".
- In this example, the action of riding was interrupted by the act of falling. However, the two actions are not causally related.
- Do note that the action also doesn't necessarily have to completely stop.
- 잠을 자다가 무서운 꿈을 꿨다. "I was sleeping and had a scary dream".
~었/았다가
- Used similarly with ~다가 in terms of shifting actions. However, unlike ~다가, the action in the first clause completes before shifting to the second action.
- The clauses should also contrast or be opposites toof each other.
- 셔츠를 샀다가 마음에 안 들어서 환볼했다. "I bought the shirt but then returned it because I didn't like it".
- In this example, there isn't an interruption but rather two contrasting situations. Also, the action of buying a shirt finishes before the return is made.
Some other things to note:
- In all three connectives, the subjects of both clauses must be the same.
- ~다가 and ~었/았다가 can be written without 가: ~다 and ~었/았다