Back to grammar search

たことがある (Have Done/Experienced)

[Past Plain Form]ことがある

Explanation

Indicates past experience.

Formation

Plain past form + ことがある

Examples

日本に行ったことがあります。
Nihon ni itta koto ga arimasu.
I have been to Japan.
See in analyzer →
納豆を食べたことがありません。
Nattou o tabeta koto ga arimasen.
I have never eaten natto.
See in analyzer →
富士山を見たことがありますか。
Fujisan o mita koto ga arimasu ka.
Have you ever seen Mt. Fuji?
See in analyzer →

Usage Notes

  • Life experience (not recent past)
  • Negative: ことがない/ありません
  • Question: ことがありますか
  • Plain past + こと

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Use plain past form, not ます form
  • Not for recent actions - for life experience
  • Different from just past tense (went vs have been)

Related Grammar from "Verb Forms and Conjugations"

ます-form (Polite Present/Future)

[Verb Stem]ます

Polite form for present habitual actions or future intentions.

ました (Polite Past)

[Verb Stem]ました

Polite past tense form indicating completed actions.

ません (Polite Negative)

[Verb Stem]ません

Polite negative form for present/future.

More from "Verb Forms and Conjugations"