〜こと: This word makes a verb or sentence into a noun. It talks about facts, events, or actions. It sounds more formal than '～の'.

〜こと

This word makes a verb or sentence into a noun. It talks about facts, events, or actions. It sounds more formal than '～の'.

N4 KMT3FormalStandardNominal ConstructionMixedNominalization Of ClausesGrammar

Clause + ことPrimary

Verb [dictionary form] + こと

い-Adjective + こと

な-Adjective + な + こと

This word makes a verb or sentence into a noun. It talks about facts, events, or actions. It sounds more formal than '～の'.

私の趣味は古い切手を集めることです。

My hobby is collecting old stamps.

PoliteNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeDaily Life

彼が昨日会社を休んだことを知りませんでした。

I didn't know that he was absent from work yesterday.

PolitePastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeWork & Career

毎日運動することは健康にいいです。

Exercising every day is good for your health.

PoliteNon PastAffirmativeClause InitialDeclarativeDaily Life Medicine & Health

図書館では、大声で話さないことが規則です。

In the library, it is a rule not to speak loudly.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeClause InitialNecessityEducation Daily Life

先生は、教室をきれいにすることが大切だとおっしゃいました。

The teacher said that it is important to keep the classroom clean.

RespectfulPastAffirmativeMid SentenceHearsayEducation

Imagine a strict rule written on a sign. This is how it feels. It is a very firm instruction. It is often used in writing. It tells you what you must do.

こと is different from の. こと talks about ideas or rules. For example, 'My hobby is reading.' の talks about things you see or hear. For example, 'I saw him reading.' こと sounds more formal. の sounds more like talking.

Don't use this when you talk about seeing or hearing something. For example, say "I hear him playing the piano" with "no", not "koto".

Use this when you want to talk about what you can do. Use it for things you have done. It helps make your sentences about skills or experiences clear.

Often confused with(1)

〜の

This grammar turns a verb or adjective into a noun. You use it for things you can see, hear, or feel.

Contrasts with(2)

〜の

This grammar turns a verb or adjective into a noun. You use it for things you can see, hear, or feel.

〜というの

This grammar turns a sentence into a noun. It is like saying 'the fact that...' or 'the thing about...'. You use it to talk about something. It often adds feeling or explains something. People use it most when they speak.

More formal alternatives(1)

〜の

This grammar turns a verb or adjective into a noun. You use it for things you can see, hear, or feel.

Less formal alternatives(1)

〜ということ

This phrase turns a sentence into a noun. It lets you talk about that sentence as a fact or an idea. It can mean 'the fact that...' or 'it means that...'.

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

た形

This shows an action finished in the past. It also shows something that was true before now.

ない形

This is how you make a verb negative. It means "do not" or "will not." It is the casual way to say 〜ません.

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Dictionary

〜こと

This word makes a verb or sentence into a noun. It talks about facts, events, or actions. It sounds more formal than '～の'.

N4 KMT3FormalStandardNominal ConstructionMixedNominalization Of ClausesGrammar

Clause + ことPrimary

Verb [dictionary form] + こと

い-Adjective + こと

な-Adjective + な + こと

This word makes a verb or sentence into a noun. It talks about facts, events, or actions. It sounds more formal than '～の'.

私の趣味は古い切手を集めることです。

My hobby is collecting old stamps.

PoliteNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeDaily Life

彼が昨日会社を休んだことを知りませんでした。

I didn't know that he was absent from work yesterday.

PolitePastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeWork & Career

毎日運動することは健康にいいです。

Exercising every day is good for your health.

PoliteNon PastAffirmativeClause InitialDeclarativeDaily Life Medicine & Health

図書館では、大声で話さないことが規則です。

In the library, it is a rule not to speak loudly.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeClause InitialNecessityEducation Daily Life

先生は、教室をきれいにすることが大切だとおっしゃいました。

The teacher said that it is important to keep the classroom clean.

RespectfulPastAffirmativeMid SentenceHearsayEducation

Imagine a strict rule written on a sign. This is how it feels. It is a very firm instruction. It is often used in writing. It tells you what you must do.

Don't use this when you talk about seeing or hearing something. For example, say "I hear him playing the piano" with "no", not "koto".

Use this when you want to talk about what you can do. Use it for things you have done. It helps make your sentences about skills or experiences clear.

Often confused with(1)

〜の

This grammar turns a verb or adjective into a noun. You use it for things you can see, hear, or feel.

Contrasts with(2)

〜の

This grammar turns a verb or adjective into a noun. You use it for things you can see, hear, or feel.

〜というの

More formal alternatives(1)

〜の

This grammar turns a verb or adjective into a noun. You use it for things you can see, hear, or feel.

Less formal alternatives(1)

〜ということ

This phrase turns a sentence into a noun. It lets you talk about that sentence as a fact or an idea. It can mean 'the fact that...' or 'it means that...'.

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

た形

This shows an action finished in the past. It also shows something that was true before now.

ない形

This is how you make a verb negative. It means "do not" or "will not." It is the casual way to say 〜ません.

Track your mastery

Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

〜こと

Patterns4

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Restrictions1

Discourse Function1

Compare with5

Often confused with(1)

Contrasts with(2)

More formal alternatives(1)

Less formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites3

Track your mastery

〜こと

Patterns4

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Restrictions1

Discourse Function1

Compare with5

Often confused with(1)

Contrasts with(2)

More formal alternatives(1)

Less formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites3

Track your mastery