JLPT N4 · Time and reason

〜ことがある

Sometimes it happens

Meaning

Shows that an action happens sometimes or from time to time. It is often used for habits and recurring situations.

Formation

  1. Dictionary form or ない + ことがある: 食べることがあります
  2. Not the same as Vたことがある, which is about experience

When to use it

Core use
Sometimes it happens

Example

わたしあさパン食べるたべることあります

Sometimes I eat bread in the morning.

Important notes

  • Pay attention to the word form before the construction and to the particles around it.

Common mistakes

  • Do not translate the pattern word for word; first identify its function in the whole situation.

Similar grammar

    All N4 grammarOpen in the app