ことがある

expression, godan verb (-ru, irregular)

have done (something); something has occurred

Used with a verb in the past tense (た-form) to express that one has had the experience of doing something, or that something has happened before. Often corresponds to 'have ever done' or 'there have been times when'.

See also: ことがない

• 日本にほんに行いったことがありますか。

  Have you ever been to Japan?

• 彼かれは遅ち刻こくしたことがない。

  He has never been late.

expression, godan verb (-ru, irregular)

sometimes; there are times when

Used with a verb in the non-past (dictionary form) to express that something happens occasionally or that there are times when something occurs. Often translated as 'sometimes' or 'there are occasions when'.

See also: ことがない

• 朝あさごはんを食たべないことがある。

  There are times when I don't eat breakfast.

• 彼かれは急きゅうに怒おこり出だすことがある。

  He sometimes suddenly gets angry.