Structure
Verb［た］+ こと + が + ある
Verb［た］+ こと + が + ない
Details
Expression
Verb
Standard
About たことがある
たことがある is a set expression in Japanese that is used for saying that 'there has been a time that I have done (A)'.
The auxiliary verb た will be added to the verb indicating what you have done, followed by こと - が - ある. Like の, こと is regularly used for nominalization (creating a noun-like phrase). However, の cannot replace こと in this particular grammar pattern.
From these examples, we can see that ない (the negative equivalent of ある) may also be used, when you want to express that you have 'never' done something.
Caution
Just like English, many set phrases cannot be adjusted in Japanese (in the same way that こと cannot be swapped with の in this expression).
Fun Fact
In expressions where こと is followed by a verb phrase, の may not be used. When used for nominalization, の is almost always followed by a noun or adjective phrase. Here are some examples.
Related
Examples
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ここでサッカーをしたことがありますか。
Have you ever played soccer here before?
日本に行ったことがありますか。
Have you ever been to Japan before?
この本を読んだことがある。
I have read this book before.
私の家を見たことがありますか。
Have you ever seen my house before?
６時前に起きたことがない。
I have never woken up before six o'clock.
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Tae Kim
Expressions with こと
Imabi
Have been / done たことがある
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[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 196
Genki I
Page 216
Genki I 2nd Edition
Page 256
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 236
みんなの日本語 I
Page 122 [CH 19]
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たことがある – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (22 in total)
SFJerry
In the example sentence provided by Bunpro, would the polite form of 私はお菓子を買ったことが無い be to simply change 無い to ありません?
BreadmanNin
That’s exactly right. ことがありません is indeed the correct way to use this expression in polite speech.
SFJerry
Thanks! 私はこのフレーズを以前に使ったことがありません。 But now I know!
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