Omissions of Particles and は VS. が

We have entered the parts of speech section again. You have the basic knowledge already and thus we would like to introduce some advanced topics here. If you have difficulty understanding it, please review the related basic grammar. In this lesson, you will learn the concept of omission of particles.

How Omissions of Particles Work in Conversation

As we often mention, omissions have a very important role in Japanese grammar. When contexts clearly tell what or whom you are referring to, parts of speech such as subjects and objects should be omitted. Otherwise, your speech would sound unnatural. In practice, especially in conversation, omissions can be applicable for particles, too. This is one of the keys to making natural expressions. Let’s check out how it works.

Omissions of the Particle が, を, に , and へ

Particles that can be omitted are already determined, which are the particles が, を, に, and へ. Other particles should not be omitted. Here are some examples (*Keep in mind: omissions can happen only in conversation).

The Particle を

When the particle を indicates direct objects, it can be omitted. In practical conversation, sentences without the particle を may sound more natural than ones with the particle を.

The Particle に and へ (Direction of Motion and Destination)

When the particle に and へ indicate directions of motion or destination, they can be omitted, i.e. you cannot omit the particle に when it works with other function such as targets, and specific time. Here, both sentences with and without the particles sound natural.

The Particle が

Both sentences sound natural with or without the particle が. We will dig deep into the particle が along with the controversial topic of は VS. が later.

Multiple Omissions

With the above example, the two particles が and を have been omitted. How do you interpret that? There are two possible translations: “Tanaka-san got angry with Inoue-san” and “Inoue-san got angry with Tanaka-san.” The answer is the former one. When multiple omissions happen, you have to interpret the sentence based on the basic word order.

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The Controversial Topic: は VS. が

Omission of particles is deeply involved with the controversial topic of は VS. が. Taking this opportunity, we would like to clarify any doubts you may have about it.

Basic Functions

That’s simpler than you thought, isn’t it? Let us emphasize an important fact again: topics and subjects are different in Japanese grammar. Taking this sentence: 日本はごはんが美味しい as an example, “美味しい: delicious” is the predicate and the corresponding subject is “ごはん: meals.” 日本 is just the general topic. We believe that you have no doubt about は VS. が in this structure. The choice for は and が is difficult only when topics and subjects are the same like “日本＿アジアの国だ (Japan is an Asian country).” By following the same way of thinking below, you can figure out the proper particle.

1. Use が When You Try to Identify Someone or Something

2. Use が When You Express New Information

3. Use は When You Express Contrast

4. Use は in Neither of the Above Three Cases

Zero Particle

This is the main topic. Considering the function of は and が, there are some cases in conversation where both は and が are not suitable. If that is the case, you have to omit particles.

The third line is the case where both は and が are not suitable. The possible choice was が because Mr. A has noticed that Bob has arrived, i.e. that’s new information. However, since the third line is said while they are conscious that Bob will come before long, it is difficult to define that’s new information. Therefore, the natural expression is あっ、ボブ来たよ.

Here, the first line is another case where は and が are not suitable. The possible choice was は because you didn’t try to identify something or express new information. However, if you use は, your speech may indicate contrast like, “other watches are not cool, but this one is cool, isn’t it?” Thus, if you plainly ask whether the watch is cool or not, you omit particles, i.e. この時計、かっこいいと思う？

This omission often happens when the context clearly shows what the topic is. One of the typical situations is setting yourself or your listeners as a topic. Since the context already shows what the topic is, the particle は will indicate contrast.

Unless there are people who won’t go to Tokyo next week, you should omit は or the whole subject.

Supplementary Learning: は VS. が in Subordinate Clauses

The general rule is that が should be used in subordinate clauses. However, in the following cases, you can also use は.

1. When は is Used for Contrast

2. When a Main and a Subordinate Clause Have the Same Subject

3. When a Subordinate Clause Expresses Reasons for Main Clauses

Summary

1. The particles が, を, に, and へ can be omitted in conversation.
2. There are some cases where both は and が are not suitable, i.e. zero particle.

Understanding of the proper usage of particles is the key to mastering Japanese language. In spite of the important role, it is often omitted in conversation. Thus, you need to have a solid knowledge of the functions. We hope that this lesson has finally solved the issue of は VS. が. Next, you will learn a new type of verbs: compound verbs.

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Japanese Compound Verbs

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