Verb て-form + ある

[Resultant State from Deliberate Action]

Connection: Transitive verb て-form + ある

This pattern expresses that something is in a state resulting from a deliberate, intentional action. The key distinction is that it uses TRANSITIVE verbs and emphasizes that someone purposely did the action, leaving a current state.

Formation rules:

• Use TRANSITIVE verbs only (開ける, 置く, 書く, etc.)
• The object is marked with が (not を)
• Emphasizes intentionality and preparation

Common uses:

• Indicating preparation: 予約してある (a reservation has been made)
• Showing deliberate arrangement: 並べてある (arranged in order)
• Describing intentional state: 消してある (turned off on purpose)

Comparison with ている: Both can describe resultant states, but てある specifically emphasizes that someone intentionally did the action as preparation or with purpose. ている is more neutral about intentionality.

• 窓が開いている (The window is open—neutral state)
• 窓が開けてある (The window has been opened—someone opened it intentionally)

Examples:

• テーブルの上に花が飾ってあります。(Flowers have been arranged on the table.)
• 壁に絵が掛けてある。(A picture has been hung on the wall.)
• もう切符を買ってあるから安心してください。(The tickets have already been bought, so don't worry.)