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Definition
The grammar pattern "V（辞書形／ない形）＋ことがある" is used to express that something happens occasionally or habitually. It can be used to describe both positive and negative actions. The dictionary form is used for positive actions, while the nai-form is used for negative actions. This pattern is often used to add a sense of frequency or habit to a sentence, making it more interesting and engaging. For example, "たまに朝ごはんを食べることがある" means "I sometimes eat breakfast in the morning," while "日本の冬はとても寒いですが、雪が降ることがあります" means "Japanese winters are very cold, but it sometimes snows."
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary form | V（辞書形）＋ことがある | たまに朝ごはんを食べることがある |
| Nai-form | V（ない形）＋ことがある | 日本の冬はとても寒いですが、雪が降ることがあります |
| Negative dictionary form | V（ない形）＋ことがある | 私は毎日運動をしないことがある |
Examples
たまに朝ごはんを食べることがある
Tama ni asa gohan o taberu koto ga aru
I sometimes eat breakfast in the morning.
たまに (occasionally), 朝ごはんを食べる (eat breakfast), ことがある (happens)
日本の冬はとても寒いですが、雪が降ることがあります
Nihon no fuyu wa totemo samui desu ga, yuki ga futte koto ga aru
Japanese winters are very cold, but it sometimes snows.
日本の冬 (Japanese winters), とても寒い (very cold), ですが (but), 雪が降る (snows), ことがある (happens)
私は毎日運動をしないことがある
Watashi wa mainichi undō o shinai koto ga aru
I sometimes don't exercise every day.
私は (I), 毎日 (every day), 運動をしない (don't exercise), ことがある (happens)
仕事が忙しくて、夜中に起きることがある
Shigoto ga isogashikute, yoru ni okiru koto ga aru
I sometimes wake up at night because I have a lot of work.
仕事が忙しくて (because I have a lot of work), 夜中に起きる (wake up at night), ことがある (happens)
Context
This pattern is used to express that something happens occasionally or habitually. It can be used in both formal and informal situations. The dictionary form is used for positive actions, while the nai-form is used for negative actions. This pattern is often used to add a sense of frequency or habit to a sentence, making it more interesting and engaging.
Watch out
V-ta koto ga aru is used to express past experience, while V（辞書形／ない形）＋ことがある is used to express that something happens occasionally or habitually.
Koto ni suru is used to express a personal decision, while V（辞書形／ない形）＋ことがある is used to express that something happens occasionally or habitually.
The verb tense before koto should be in the dictionary form or nai-form, not in the past tense or present continuous tense.
Strategy
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct verb form and tense. Pay attention to the context and the meaning of the sentence. This pattern is often used in conversation and everyday situations, so try to use it in a way that sounds natural and fluent.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N4 test-style questions. Each sentence shows V（辞書形／ない形）＋ことがある used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
たまに朝ごはんを食べないことがあります。
Pattern used: 食べない
'V-nai koto ga aru' means 'there are times when I don't...'. 'V-ta koto ga aru' would mean 'I have (ever) eaten', which conflicts with 'tamani' (occasionally) in this context.
日本の冬はとても寒いですが、雪が降らないこともあります。
Pattern used: 降らない
Uses the nai-form to express that occasionally a certain event (snowing) does not happen despite expectations.
仕事が忙しくて、夜中に帰ることがあります。
Pattern used: 帰る
The dictionary form followed by 'koto ga aru' indicates an occasional but recurring situation in the present/future.
Interactive
たまに朝ごはんを______ことがあります。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.