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Question to Teacher: Why is there no GA in this sentence?
Course 3 Lesson 6: Old Friends (Mini Conversations)

stelingo

Post Date: 2017-03-04 15:26:02

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2015 Nov 10

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Hi

In the last sentence of mini dialogue 3, there is no particle ga.

はい、がいこくじんのともだちもいます。

Why is this? Is it because the dialogue is in informal speech?

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JFZ Teacher (Kanako)

Post Date: 2017-03-10 05:39:56

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はい、がいこくじんのともだちもいます。(HAI. GAIKOKUJIN NO TOMODACHI MO IMASU)
= Yes. I also have foreign friends.

There is the particle も (MO), which means “also” and “too”, in the sentence.

The particle が (GA) is normally used to mark the animate thing (がいこくじんのともだち/foreign friends). However, when も is applied to the topic of the sentence, it takes the place of が completely.

Other examples:

うちにいぬがいます。ねこもいます。(UCHI NI INU GA IMASU. NEKO MO IMASU)
= I have a dog at home. I also have a cat.

あしたはテストがあります。しゅくだいもあります！(ASHITA WA TESUTO GA ARIMASU. SHUKUDAI MO ARIMASU!)
= I have a test tomorrow. I also have homework (to do)!