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Sometimes with 〜ことがある

Grammar: Frequency » 〜ことがある

〜ことがある attached to a verb in dictionary form expresses that something happens occasionally.

A basic translation is, “sometimes” or “there are times when…”.

Usage

This usage describes an action as an occasional occurrence (not a regular habit). It commonly appears with adverbs like 時々(ときどき) or たまに.

Do not confuse this with 〜た＋ことがある, which expresses past experience (“have done before”).

Formation

〜ことがある is formed by nominalizing a verb with こと and using が＋ある to express the existence of that occurrence.
  1. Verb (dictionary form) + ことがある
    • 休日(きゅうじつ)は家(いえ)にいることがある
    • "On holidays, I sometimes stay home."
  2. Verb (ない form) + ことがある
    • 忙(いそが)しくて朝(あさ)ごはんを食(た)べないことがある
    • "I sometimes skip breakfast because I'm busy."
The focus is on "it happens sometimes" rather than a one-time past event.

Further Reading

Related Grammar

Examples

Sometimes pretending to be someone else with 〜ことがある

Manga panel from 三ツ星カラーズ showing example of Sometimes with 〜ことがある.
三ツ星カラーズ » Volume 8 » Page 107

Sacchan and Kotoha notice Yui walking with a couple of her friends from school. The two decide to sneak and follow after them. Sacchan notices Yui doesn’t act quite the same with these friends as she does with Sacchan and Kotoha.

さっちゃん:
「潜入(せんにゅう)作戦(さくせん)とかで別人(べつじん)になりきることがあるかもしれないから」
“Maybe it's because she's in an undercover operation or something that she sometimes pretends to be a different person....”
「学校(がっこう)の時(とき)の結衣(ゆい)は結衣(ゆい)らしさを消(け)してすごしてるのかもしれない」
“...that Yui at school might be trying to hide her true self.”