[JLPT grammar] intransitive verb+ている indicates the result of a change

Today I am going to share the homework correction quoted from my JLPT N4 course!
The student’s sentence is not correct. Can you find the mistake?

 

[Student’s sentence]

あれ?電気がつけていますね。さっき消したのに。

*あれ?でんきがつけていますね。さっきけしたのに。

 



 

[My correction]

あれ?電気がつけていますね。さっき消したのに。
→あれ?電気がついていますね。さっき消したのに。
Huh? The light is on. I turned it off a while ago.

 

ついて is the te-form of つく (intransitive verb), while つけて is the te-form of つける (transitive verb).

[Transitive verb] ている indicates an action in progress or someone’s routine. On the other hand, [intransitive verb] ている indicates the result of a change.

In this sentence, it indicates that someone turned on the light and that the light is still on, so [intransitive verb] ている=ついている is used.

 

Examples:
田中(たなか)さんは、今(いま)勉強(べんきょう)しています
Tanaka-san is studying right now.
[Transitive verb=勉強して] いる

 

まどが割(わ)れています
The window is broken.
[Intransitive verb=割れて] いる

 

I hope my explanation helps you. 😊

 

 

In my JLPT All-in-One Course, all lessons come with homework. If you submit your homework, I will reply with corrections like this.
I can break down the Japanese grammar and point out mistakes, explaining the structure and nuances of Japanese in an easy-to-understand way.
You can also ask me any questions in as much detail as you want. I will teach you until you get it!