ものがある | Grammar

Structure

[verb (plain)] + ものがある
[i-adj] + ものがある
[na-adj な] + ものがある
[noun の] + ものがある

Often preceded by a modifying clause (e.g. ～には…ものがある)

Description

The expression ものがある is used to convey a strong personal impression or judgment about something. It expresses that the speaker feels there is something noteworthy, remarkable, or deeply felt about a particular quality, action, or situation. It often translates to "there is something (about it) that…", "one can't help but feel that…", or "it really does feel like…".

This pattern is used when the speaker wants to emphasize that something evokes a strong emotional or intuitive response – admiration, sympathy, unease, or some other deeply felt reaction.

Basic Usage

ものがある attaches to the plain form of verbs, adjectives, or noun phrases.

。

There is something deeply moving about his acting.

。

There is something about her singing voice that strikes the heart.

Expressing Strong Personal Judgment

Rather than stating an objective fact, ものがある conveys the speaker's subjective feeling that something has a particular quality. It adds weight and conviction to the statement.

やっ、べき。

The fact that they did it all alone – there's something truly astonishing about that.

。

There is something about this scenery that makes you think.

Common Collocations

ものがある frequently appears with verbs and expressions related to emotions and impressions, such as かんじさせる感じさせる (make one feel), かんがえさせる考えさせる (make one think), おどろく驚く (be surprised), and adjectives like すごい or すばらしい.

It is also commonly preceded by a noun + には to highlight what the speaker is reacting to:

。

There is something wonderful about this work.

Nuance

ものがある is a relatively literary or formal expression, more common in written language, reviews, essays, and thoughtful commentary. In casual conversation, speakers might simply say すごいと思う or 感動する, but ものがある adds a layer of reflective depth – as if the speaker is acknowledging that the impression runs deep and is hard to fully articulate.

Examples

。

There is something remarkable about his effort.

。

There is something about this novel that shakes the reader's heart.

。

There is something captivating about her piano performance.

。

There is something truly astonishing about how fast children grow.

、。

Living alone in a foreign country really does feel lonely.

、。

Leaving a house you've lived in for many years – there is something sad about it.

。

There is something thought-provoking about his words.

、。

Visiting your alma mater after 30 years, there is something deeply nostalgic about it.

。

There is something wonderful about this team's unity.

、。

There is something unforgivable about his attitude of leaving without saying anything.

、。

When I recall the hardships of my youth, there is something painful about it.

References

ものがあるBunpro