-(으)러 가다
go somewhere in order to do something
Form
Verb stem + -(으)러 + a motion verb such as 가다/오다 — “go/come in order to do…”.
Function
Presents the action that motivates an actual movement. In 확인하러 가다, the movement is made specifically in order to check.
Why this form?
-(으)려고 가다 — “to go intending to…”: foregrounds the subject’s intention more strongly; the intended action can sound like a plan rather than the conventional purpose of the trip.
-기 위해 가다 — “to go in order to…”: also expresses purpose, but more explicitly and more formally; -(으)러 가다 is lighter and more idiomatic in simple narration.
How to build it
After a vowel or ㄹ: -러; after another consonant: -으러. The construction combines with a motion verb.
Forms not to confuse
-(으)려고 가다
친구를 만나려고 서울에 가요. — I’m going to Seoul intending to meet a friend.
-기 위해 가다
자료를 찾기 위해 도서관에 갔어요. — I went to the library in order to look for materials.
Examples
확인하러 가 본다. — I’ll go and check.
친구를 만나러 가요. — I’m going to meet a friend.