Grammar behind a train transfer announcement An example of a regular announcement on a train: > **** My main concern here is the second (in bold). It does not seem to be a topic marker, it does not seem to be a binding particle () as described in the answer to this question, so what is the function of here? Why isn't the announcement using a destination particle which is the usual particle used with the verb ? Let's say something like this: > **** Also: where do the sentences in the original announcement start and end? Would be valid without a station name before? Or is it in fact Or ( _added later_ ) if were a subject why isn't it: > * * * Also I found that other train companies use the phrase: > **** I assumed these two patterns and follow the same rule? Is there really a rule which would allow to freely replace (gerund) with (imperative verb) and vice versa?

I'm not sure if this is what's throwing you off, but here is used more like an adjective (“a transfer line”), not a verb (“you transfer here”). It's like saying “ and are transfers” instead of saying “Please transfer for and ”. The implications are the same, but the sentence is shorter. It's also a little less direct, because you can tie an action to the subject without explicitly asking the listener to act.

Phrases that feel similar to me:

* (instead of )
Trash is take-home vs. Take home your trash
* (instead of )
The charge is pay-at-the-register vs. Pay the charge at the register
* (instead of )
Tickets are exchange vs. Exchange your tickets



* * *

Above answer only covers the "A" construct. But isn't "" a much more common way of using ? , , … (For the Marunouchi Line, transfer. For details, ask. For dining, use the tables. For private rooms, make a reservation.)