'터' as a light noun (의존 명사
) preceded by attributive (관형 어미
) '-ㄹ' works very similar to '-ㄹ 것', but much less commonly used.
Than being said, not only '-ㄹ 터' can express an intention or will, it can also express an anticipation or a fixed plan. Thus, the sentence 3시까지는 돌아올 터이다
can be interpreted into different meanings.
- I will return by 3.
- I expect it would return by 3.
- (By its schedule,) it would return by 3.
(Only the first case is synonymous to '-려고 하다'.)
Note that unlike '-ㄹ 것', '-ㄹ 터' does not work as a complete noun phrase; it's always followed by copula (서술격 조사
) '이-(다)'.
- 그 사람이 돌아 올 것이다
- 그 사람이 돌아 올 터이다.
- 그 사람이 돌아 올 것은 예상 못 했다
- *그 사람이 돌아 올 터는 예상 못 했다.