Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 4 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 4
What counts as experience
Form experience sentences with verb past plain form + .
Start with the example
。
I have been to Kyoto before.
Plain past + means past experience.
Notice the variation
。
I have never ridden a horse.
Negative experience is often in polite speech.
More detail: how to apply this
〜 means “have done before” or “have ever done.” It describes experience at some point up to now, not a single completed event with a clear time focus.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Keep past experience separate from present ability, permission, or future intention.
denies having that experience. It does not tell us whether the person could learn to ride or intends to try.
。
I have never ridden a horse.
Keep past experience separate from present ability, permission, or future intention.
Showing Try this approach: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
I have been to Kyoto before.
Plain past + means past experience.
Vocabulary notes
- こと
- thing; matter; fact
- あります
- there is; there are
Compare in context
。
I have never ridden a horse.
Negative experience is often in polite speech.
Vocabulary notes
- こと
- thing; matter; fact
Section 2 of 4
Positive and negative patterns
Positive and negative patterns
Start with the example
。
I have flown on an airplane alone before.
The action happened at least once before now.
Notice the variation
。
I have never eaten natto.
means 'have never done'.
More detail: how to apply this
Use the plain past form before .
For negative experience, use .
This pattern appears often in introductions, travel talk, and interview questions.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
I have flown on an airplane alone before.
The action happened at least once before now.
。
I have flown on an airplane alone before.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: I have flown on an airplane alone before.
Showing Positive and negative patterns: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
I have flown on an airplane alone before.
The action happened at least once before now.
Vocabulary notes
- 一人で
- alone; by oneself
- 飛行機
- airplane
Preview
。
I have never eaten natto.
means 'have never done'.
Vocabulary notes
- こと
- thing; matter; fact
- ない
- not; there is not
Section 3 of 4
Reading experience questions
Keep past experience separate from present ability, permission, or future intention.
Reading experience questions
。
Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue
supplies the experience under discussion: riding a horse. The past form is required inside this experience pattern.
Step 1: Notice the clue
More detail: the reading method
When you read 〜, the speaker is asking about experience up to now.
Context tells you whether they want a simple yes/no answer or a longer story.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Have you ever climbed Mt. Fuji?
Question form asks about life experience up to now.
。
Have you ever climbed Mt. Fuji?
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: Have you ever climbed Mt. Fuji?
Showing Reading experience questions: Everyday words.
More examples
Target signal
。
Have you ever climbed Mt. Fuji?
Question form asks about life experience up to now.
Vocabulary notes
- こと
- thing; matter; fact
- あります
- there is; there are
Preview
、。
I once lived in this town when I was a child.
describes prior experience of living there.
Vocabulary notes
- 子ども
- child; children
Section 4 of 4
Compare the meaning
Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Example A
Example B
Your turn · decide before revealing
How do these two examples change the meaning?
More detail: what changes and why
Compare and .
records experience;
dictionary form expresses ability.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?
records experience; dictionary form expresses ability.
How do these two examples change the meaning?
Supported meaning: Have eaten it before / can eat it
Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.
Showing Compare the meaning: Everyday words.