Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N4 · Intermediate 1
〜ことがあります~koto ga arimasu
sometimes happens
Use 〜ことがあります to say an action or situation sometimes occurs, including when something sometimes does not go as planned.
How it works
Look at the faces: thinking about the future brings anxiety only sometimes. This shows that something happens occasionally.
Add 「ことがある」 to a verb’s dictionary form. In the picture, 「不安になる」 with this pattern means feeling anxious sometimes.
To say that something sometimes does not happen or go well, add 「ことがある」 to the verb’s ない form.
「進まないことがある」 means that progress sometimes does not go as planned, not that things go badly every time.
If you sometimes feel unsure as you work toward a goal, you can use this pattern to explain your situation to others.
Example sentences
- 将来shouraiのnoことkotoをo考えるkangaeruと、to、不安fuanになるninaruことkotoがgaあります。arimasu。
When I think about the future, there are times when I feel anxious.
In a conversation
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
Even if you keep working hard toward your goal, sometimes your feelings can waver.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
将来のことを考えると、不安に____。
When I think about the future, I sometimes feel anxious.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜ことがありますsometimes happens