事がある
Something is possible, Sometimes, Occasionally, There are times when
Structure
［い］Adjective + こと + が(2)ある
［な］Adjective + な + こと + が(2)ある
(1) Verb［ない］
(2) も
Explanation
The Japanese expression ことがある is formed by joining the noun こと, the case marking particle が, and the う-Verb, ある. It is commonly used to mean 'there are times when...', 'sometimes...', or 'on occasion...'. A more direct translation would be 'the event of (A) exists'.
You can attach ことがある to the attributive form of a verb or adjective.
- うちの猫は時々人を引っ掻くことがあるから、気をつけてくださいね。My cat sometimes scratches people, so please be careful.
- このレストランは普段はうるさいけど、静かなことがある。This restaurant is usually noisy, but there are times when it's quiet.
- 日本語の勉強はほとんど難しいけれど、たまに簡単なことがある。Studying Japanese is almost always difficult, but once in a while it feels easy.
Sometimes, the particle も is used instead of が. When you see こともある, it adds the nuance that '(A) is also something that happens'. This usage suggests that (A) is another possibility in addition to other expected or mentioned states.
- 一人暮らしは便利だけど、寂しいこともある。Living alone is convenient, but it can also be lonely at times.
- 部長はいつも厳しいけど、親切なこともある。The department head is always strict, but there are also times when he is kind.
Caution
It is important to distinguish ことがある from たことがある. The latter, which uses the past tense of a verb, describes a past experience ('have done A'). In contrast, ことがある with a non-past verb indicates that an action or state occurs from time to time, rather than referring to a specific, completed instance.
- 週末は家で映画を見ることがある。On weekends, I sometimes watch movies at home.
- その映画は前に見たことがあるよ。I've seen that movie before.
Examples
勉強しても、なかなか覚えられない事がある。
There are times when you can't remember things, even if you study.
自分で弁当を作る事がある。
I sometimes make my own bento box.
うちの猫は、変な物を中に持ってくる事がある。
There are times when my cat brings strange things into the house.
休みの日は、ときどき公園を散歩する事がある。
On my days off, I sometimes go for a walk in the park.
週に一、二回ぐらい、図書館へ行く事がある。
There are weeks where I go to the library once or twice.
田舎に住んでいる両親に電話をかける事がある。
There are times that I call my parents who live in my hometown.
とても疲れている時、何も味がしない事がある。
There are times when I'm so tired that I can't taste anything.
静かな図書館だが、時々賑やかな事がある。
Although it's a quiet library, there are times when it gets noisy.
このテストは普通難しいが、易しい事もある。
This test is usually difficult, but there are also times when it's easy.
彼は普段口数が少ないが、お酒を飲むとよく喋る事がある。
He's usually a man of few words, but there are times when he talks a lot after having a drink.
「みんなは今ごろ何をしているかな」と考える事がある。
There are times when I find myself wondering, 'I wonder what everyone is doing right about now.'
家を出る時、鍵を忘れる事がよくある。だから、いつもドアの前で確認する。
There are many times that I forget my keys when I leave the house. That's why I always check at the door.