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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Standard
使用域
一般
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.
ことがある may be paired with the attributive form of any other word.
- この馬は人を蹴ることがあるので、馬の後ろに立たないで下さい。This horse kicks people sometimes, so please don't stand behind him.
- タナカ先生の授業はたまに楽しいことがある。There are times where Mr. Tanaka's classes are fun.
- 仕事はだいたい大変だけれども、たまには楽なことがある。Work is usually difficult, but there are times where it is easy.
- 仕事は楽しいけど、大変なこともある。Work is fun, but there are times where it gets difficult.
- 先生はいつも怒っているけど、優しいこともある。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.- 週に1回のペースでラーメンを食べることがある。There are times when I go to eat ramen once a week.
- このラーメンは食べたことがあると思う。I think I have eaten this ramen before.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
学校に送ってもらうことがある。
I sometimes get a ride to school.
友達は昼2時まで寝ることがある。
There are times when my friend sleeps until two in the afternoon.
一日に二、三回ぐらい、ラーメンを食べることがある。
There are days where I eat ramen two or three times.
友達に日本語を教えることがある。
There are times that I teach Japanese to my friend.
ルームメイトの無作法な振る舞いに注意したいことがよくある。でも、私は気が弱すぎる・・・
There are times when I want to warn my roommate about his rude behavior. However, I am just too timid.
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How-to say “sometimes ____” with Dictionary-Form-VERB + ことがある
LearnJapanese [video]
Verb present tense /adjective + ことがある
MaggieSensei
Offline
Marugoto Elementary 1 (A2) Rikai
Page 122
Tobira
Page 18
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 198
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 236
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ことがある – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (2 in total)
Ambo100
The ‘LearnJapanese’ link is broken but can probably be replaced by this video:
mrnoone
Thank you @Ambo100
I have replaced the link to the site with the video
Cheers!
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