Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 3: 7/22

事(こと)がある

Something is possible, Sometimes, Occasionally, There are times when

Different meaning from
たことがある

Structure

Verb［る］(1) + こと + が(2)ある
［い］Adjective + こと + が(2)ある
［な］Adjective + な + こと + が(2)ある

(1) Verb［ない］
(2) も

Details

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About ことがある

ことがある is an expression in Japanese that combines the noun こと with the case marking particle が, and the う - Verb, ある. It is often translated as 'to be possible', 'to occasionally occur', or 'to sometimes occur'. However, the more literal translation of ことがある is '(A) is a thing that exists'.
ことがある may be paired with the attributive form of any other word.
  • この馬(うま)は人(ひと)を蹴(け)ることがあるので、馬(うま)の後(うし)ろに立(た)たないで下(くだ)さい。
    This horse kicks people sometimes, so please don't stand behind him.
  • タナカ先生(せんせい)の授業(じゅぎょう)はたまに楽(たの)しいことがある。
    There are times where Mr. Tanaka's classes are fun.
  • 仕事(しごと)はだいたい大変(たいへん)だけれども、たまには楽(らく)なことがある。
    Work is usually difficult, but there are times where it is easy.
Occasionally, が may be replaced by も. In these situations, it implies that '(A) is also a thing that exists'. Basically this just highlights that (A) is something that needs to be considered (among other things).
  • 仕事(しごと)は楽(たの)しいけど、大変(たいへん)なこともある。
    Work is fun, but there are times where it gets difficult.
  • 先生(せんせい)はいつも怒(おこ)っているけど、優(やさ)しいこともある。
    Our teacher is always angry, but there are times when he is nice.
Caution
ことがある differs from たことがある (a phrase commonly paired with the past form of verbs). たことがある highlights a single event in which the (A) verb was completed. However, when the verb is not in past form, it simply implies that there are 'times' when the verb happens, as opposed to a single/specific time.
  • 週(しゅう)に1回(かい)のペースでラーメンを食(た)べることがある。
    There are times when I go to eat ramen once a week.
  • このラーメンは食(た)べたことがあると思(おも)う。
    I think I have eaten this ramen before.

Examples

  • 学校(がっこう)に送(おく)ってもらうことがある。

    I sometimes get a ride to school.

  • 友達(ともだち)は昼(ひる)２時(じ)まで寝(ね)ることがある。

    There are times when my friend sleeps until two in the afternoon.

  • 一日(いちにち)に二(に)、三回(さんかい)ぐらい、ラーメンを食(た)べることがある。

    There are days where I eat ramen two or three times.

  • 友達(ともだち)に日本語(にほんご)を教(おし)えることがある。

    There are times that I teach Japanese to my friend.

  • ルームメイトの無作法(ぶさほう)な振(ふ)る舞(ま)いに注意(ちゅうい)したいことがよくある。でも、私(わたし)は気(き)が弱(よわ)すぎる・・・

    There are times when I want to warn my roommate about his rude behavior. However, I am just too timid.

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ことがある – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

  • Ambo100

    Ambo100

    The ‘LearnJapanese’ link is broken but can probably be replaced by this video:

  • mrnoone

    mrnoone

    Thank you @Ambo100

    I have replaced the link to the site with the video

    Cheers!

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