GRAMMAR DETAIL

ことがある

sometimes; there are times when

Follows a nonpast verb to show that something happens on occasion rather than all the time.

Examples

この町では春にも雪が降ることがある。

It sometimes snows in this town even in spring.

忙しい時期には、帰宅が遅くなることもある。

During busy periods, there are times when I get home late.

仕事で大阪へ行くことがあります。

There are times when I go to Osaka for work.

Structure: A nonpast verb takes ことがある to express an occasional occurrence.
Basic usage: この町では春にも雪が降ることがある。 means that snow sometimes falls even in spring.

Occasional events and experience
- 大阪へ行くことがある describes occasional trips, while 大阪へ行ったことがある describes having been there. Distinguish a nonpast verb from the た form.
Addition with こともある
- 帰宅が遅くなることもある adds that there are also occasions of getting home late. The addition of も does not set an exact frequency or regular interval.