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.

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).

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)に一回(いっかい)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

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    頑張(がんば)ってもうまくいかない事(こと)がある。

    There are times when no matter how hard you try, it doesn't go well.

    学校(がっこう)に送(おく)ってもらう事(こと)がある。

    I sometimes get a ride to school.

    友達(ともだち)は昼(ひる)２時(にじ)まで寝(ね)る事(こと)がある。

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

    あの番組(ばんぐみ)ならたまに見(み)る事(こと)がある。

    (There are times that ) I sometimes watch that TV program.

    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)べる事(こと)がある。

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

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