〜ことがある has two distinct uses depending on verb form:
1. Past + ことがある = Experience
"Have done before" / "Have the experience of"
I have climbed Mt. Fuji (before).
2. Dictionary form + ことがある = Occasional occurrence
"Sometimes happens"
• 電車が遅れることがある (Trains are sometimes late)
Negative forms:
• 〜たことがない - Have never done
• 〜ないことがある - Sometimes doesn't happen
Similar expressions:
• 〜たことがある - Experience (have done)
• 〜ている - Current state (do regularly)
ことがある = sometimes happens
- 遅刻することがある (I'm sometimes late)
たことがある = have experienced
- 日本に行ったことがある (I've been to Japan)
Different verb forms, different meanings
I have been to Japan.
I have never seen this movie.
The train is sometimes late.
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