Lesson 30: 切符を買っておきます — preparation & set states — Japanese Grammar N4

V(transitive)-てありますてあります — done and left so

て-form

A transitive verb + てあります: someone did it on purpose and the result remains.

壁に　地図が　はってあります。

かべに　ちずが　はってあります。

A map has been put up on the wall.

てあります stresses that the state was set up intentionally (and usually for a purpose). The object often takes が. Contrast ています (intransitive, natural state) with てあります (transitive, prepared state).

V-ておきますておく — do in advance

Preparation ておく

ておきます = do something ahead of time, in preparation.

旅行の　前に、切符を　買っておきます。

りょこうの　まえに、きっぷを　かっておきます。

I'll buy the tickets in advance before the trip.

ておきます covers preparing in advance (旅行の前に…), and also leaving something as it is. Casual contraction: 〜とく (買っとく).