ている vs てある: Japanese Resultative Forms Guide

Understanding the difference between ている (te-iru) andてある (te-aru) is one of the most important distinctions in Japanese grammar. This comprehensive guide will help you master when and how to use each one correctly.

Grammar Point A

ている (te-iru)

Progressive/ongoing action or resultative state

Shows ongoing action, habitual action, or completed action with lasting result. Natural state focus.

Formation: Verb て-form + いる (e.g., 食べている, 読んでいる, 開いている)

Grammar Point B

てある (te-aru)

Resultative state from intentional action

Shows completed action done for a purpose, with emphasis on the result. Object focus.

Formation: Transitive verb て-form + ある (e.g., 開けてある, 書いてある, 置いてある)

Quick Comparison Table

Aspect	ている	てある
Meaning	Progressive/ongoing action or resultative state	Resultative state from intentional action
Usage	Shows ongoing action, habitual action, or completed action with lasting result. Natural state focus.	Shows completed action done for a purpose, with emphasis on the result. Object focus.
Formation	Verb て-form + いる (e.g., 食べている, 読んでいる, 開いている)	Transitive verb て-form + ある (e.g., 開けてある, 書いてある, 置いてある)
JLPT Level	N4	N3
Focus	Subject/natural state	Object/result of action
Intentionality	No specific intention implied	Deliberate action for purpose
Verb type	Both transitive and intransitive	Only transitive verbs
Particle usage	Subject marked with が	Object often marked with は
Preparation nuance	No preparation implied	Strong preparation/arrangement nuance
Common usage	Ongoing actions, natural states	Prepared states, intentional arrangements

Key Differences

1

ている shows natural state, てある shows purposeful result: ている can describe natural ongoing states or actions, while てある specifically indicates someone deliberately did something for a purpose, and the result remains.

2

ている focuses on subject, てある focuses on object: ている typically uses が to mark the subject performing or experiencing the state. てある shifts focus to the object that has been acted upon.

3

てある implies intentional preparation: てある suggests someone prepared or arranged something in advance. It's not used for accidental or natural states.

4

Particle changes: が becomes は with てある: The object that receives the action often changes from が to は when using てある, showing the shift in focus.

5

てある only works with transitive verbs: てある can only be used with transitive verbs (verbs that take a direct object). Intransitive verbs must use ている.

When to Use Which?

Follow this decision guide to choose the right grammar point.

Yes

Use ている

No

Use てある

No

Yes

Use てある

No

Use ている

Examples with Explanations

ている

ドアが開いています。

Doa ga aiteimasu.

てある

ドアが開けてあります。

Doa ga akete arimasu.

ている

窓が閉まっています。

Mado ga shimatte imasu.

てある

窓が閉めてあります。

Mado ga shimete arimasu.

ている

黒板に字が書いています。

Kokuban ni ji ga kaite imasu.

てある

黒板に字が書いてあります。

Kokuban ni ji ga kaite arimasu.

ている

本が机の上に置いています。

Hon ga tsukue no ue ni oite imasu.

てある

本が机の上に置いてあります。

Hon ga tsukue no ue ni oite arimasu.

ている

電気がついています。

Denki ga tsuite imasu.

てある

電気がつけてあります。

Denki ga tsukete arimasu.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1Using てある with intransitive verbs

Correction: Only use てある with transitive verbs that take direct objects

Intransitive verbs (like 来る, 行く, 死ぬ) cannot be used with てある because there's no object to focus on.

Wrong: 田中さんが来てあります。 -- Mr. Tanaka has come (incorrect form)

Correct: 田中さんが来ています。 -- Mr. Tanaka has come (correct)

Mistake #2Overusing てある without intention context

Correction: Use ている for simple states, てある only when intention is relevant

てある should only be used when the intentional aspect matters to the meaning.

Wrong: 雨が降ってあります。 -- Rain has been fallen (unnatural)

Correct: 雨が降っています。 -- It is raining (correct)

Mistake #3Wrong particle usage with てある

Correction: Objects with てある often use は instead of が for topic marking

The focus shift in てある often requires changing particle from が to は.

Wrong: 窓が開けてあります。 -- The window has been opened (less natural particle)

Correct: 窓は開けてあります。 -- The window has been opened (more natural)

Mistake #4Confusing natural vs intentional states

Correction: Ask yourself: Did someone do this on purpose? If yes, consider てある

The key is whether the action was done deliberately with a purpose in mind.

Wrong: 花が咲いてあります。 -- Flowers have been bloomed (flowers bloom naturally)

Correct: 花が咲いています。 -- Flowers are blooming (correct)

Memory Tips

Tip 1

Preparation Test

Ask yourself: 'Did someone prepare this for a purpose?' If yes, use てある. If it's just a natural state, use ている.

Example: Prepared room lighting (つけてある) vs naturally bright room (明るくなっている)

Tip 2

Intention Visualization

Imagine someone deliberately setting something up for later use. That's てある territory.

Example: Teacher writing on board for students = 書いてある, Random graffiti = 書いている

Tip 3

Transitive Verb Check

Only verbs that can take a direct object (を) can use てある. If there's no object, use ている.

Example: 開ける (open something) → 開けてある OK, but 来る (come) → 来てある X

Tip 4

Focus Shift Memory

ている = focus on WHO or WHAT is doing/being, てある = focus on WHAT was done to something.

Example: Focus on door (natural state) vs focus on door (prepared state)

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding with these practice questions. Click on your answer to see if you are correct.

0 / 6 answered

Q1

部屋の電気が___。(The room's light is on)

The room's light is on.

Q2

お客さんのために電気が___。(The light is on for the guests)

The light has been turned on for the guests.

Q3

窓が___。(The window is open)

The window is open.

Q4

暑いから窓が___。(The window has been opened because it's hot)

The window has been opened because it's hot.

Q5

田中さんが___。(Mr. Tanaka has come)

Mr. Tanaka has come.

Q6

机の上に本が___。(A book is placed on the desk for studying)

A book has been placed on the desk (for studying).

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between ている and てある?

Can I use てある with any verb?

How do I know when to use てある instead of ている?

Do particles change when using てある?

Can てある express who did the action?

Summary

Use ている when...

Shows ongoing action, habitual action, or completed action with lasting result. Natural state focus.

Use てある when...

Shows completed action done for a purpose, with emphasis on the result. Object focus.

Pro Tip: The best way to master the difference is through reading and listening practice. Pay attention to how native speakers use these grammar points in context.