The correct English translation for ～ことがある


> アメリカへ行ったことがある。(lit: I have been to America.)

Which is the correct other translation?

A: There **is** a time when I went to America.

B: There **was** a time when I went to America.

Bonus question: Is it possible to say アメリカへ行ったことがあった or アメリカへ行ったことがなかった ?




The ことがある grammar structure can be used with both a past and a non-past verb
form, but with different meaning.

For the meaning you wish to convey, we can use a past tense verb: **Vpast
+ことがある**

It means literally something like "there was a time when..."

But in terms of English translation, it is best looked at in question form
first.

> アメリカへ行ったことがありますか

is the equivalent of "Have you ever been to America?" Making a statement with
these grammar therefore means that you have done or experienced something
before.

> アメリカへ行ったことがあります

- "I have been to America (and that experience has stayed with me)"

This is different from アメリカへ行きました which simply means "I went to America"

Using **Vnon-past +ことがある** expresses something like "there are times when..."
and expresses that something happens from time to time.

For example

> 朝ごはんを食べずに学校に行くことがあります

- "There are times when I go to school without eating breakfast".

