Using の instead of が
I have learnt from basic Japanese that が is used with adjectives or intransitive verbs.
However, it is common to see in writing that の is used instead.
For example, 日本語の分かる人 instead of 日本語が分かる人 which I learned.
What is the reason for using の over が? Is there some rules that dictate which to use?
I have heard that sometimes in a long sentence when there is already が in the first part, の will be used in place of が if there exists.
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 3
1
You can use の instead of が in a phrase to modify a noun.
私が／の習った日本語
日本語が／の分かる人
You can not use の instead of が in a phrase not to modify a noun.
あの人は日本語が分かる。 ×あの人は日本語の分かる。
※In ancient days の and が means "～'s", "of".
大和<やまと>）の国<くに> country of Yamato＝Japan
我<わ>が国my/our country
Soon both of them are used to indicate a subject and object of ability, likes and dislikes etc.
Nowadays, in Tokyo（standard Japanese） の and が works different ways, basically. To express "～'s", "of", you have to use の and to express a subject and object of ability etc., You useが.
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