が・
Inside some clauses that modify a noun, the clause's subject can be marked by either が or の without changing the basic meaning. Use が as the safe default, because the version with の has additional restrictions and can sometimes be ambiguous.
What changes and what stays the same
The marked noun phrase must be the subject of the verb or adjective inside the modifier. Where both markers are natural, they identify the same subject and the core meaning remains essentially the same.
A state-like description
Both versions describe a room whose windows are large. This compact kind of description is particularly friendly to の.
An action inside the modifier
The alternation is not limited to adjectives. It also occurs with familiar, compact verb clauses such as these.
Why this is not a mechanical replacement
Whether の sounds natural depends on the kind of verb or adjective, what comes between the subject and that verb or adjective, how independent the clause feels, and the noun being modified. It is therefore better to learn common versions with の as complete patterns rather than applying an unrestricted substitution rule.
Clause subject or possession?
A subject marked by の can look identical to an ordinary possessive phrase. In the following sentence, the intended reading is that the father took a photo, but the beginning can also be understood as “a photo of the father.” If that ambiguity matters, mark the clause subject with が instead.
父の写真を撮った場所は、この公園です。
This park is where my father took the photo.
AnalyzeWithout enough context, this can also mean that this is where someone took a photo of the father.
More examples
駅が近いホテルを予約しました。
I booked a hotel close to the station.
Analyze駅の近いホテルを予約しました。
I booked a hotel close to the station.
Analyze彼が撮った写真が展示されている。
The photographs he took are on display.
Analyze彼の撮った写真が展示されている。
The photographs he took are on display.
Analyze月の明るい夜に散歩した。
I took a walk on a moonlit night.
Analyze庭の広い家に住みたい。
I want to live in a house with a large garden.
Analyze雨の降る日は家で本を読む。
On rainy days, I read books at home.
Analyze私のよく行く店は九時まで開いている。
The shop I often visit is open until nine.
Analyze