Frustration or futility are expressed by this grammar pattern.

- can be used with any verb
- the verb iwth (았/었/였)으면 is repeated with (았/었/였)지 and forms a dependent clause
- the portion attached to 으면 does not have to be in the past tense and the meaning is the same whether it's past or present tense
- 았 attaches to verbs with a final vowel of 아 or 오
- 었 attaches to verbs with any other final vowel
- 였 attaches to 하다/to do

Examples:
늦으면 늦었지, 걱정할 것 없어요./Even if we are late, there is nothing to worry about.
걸었으면 걸었지, 버스로 못 가겠어요./Even if I must walk, I can't go by bus.