JLPT N3 reference · Complex clauses
Nominalizers の and こと
の is often concrete, immediate, or conversational; こと is more abstract and common with rules, abilities, and established predicates.
Core meaning and form
Attach の or こと to a plain clause so it can function as a noun phrase. Many matrix expressions select one form, so the two nominalizers are not freely interchangeable.
- Form: Attach の or こと to a plain clause so it can function as a noun phrase.
- Core use: の is often concrete, immediate, or conversational; こと is more abstract and common with rules, abilities, and established predicates.
- Context: Many matrix expressions select one form, so the two nominalizers are not freely interchangeable.
Examples in context
本を読むのが好きです。Hon o yomu no ga suki desu.I like reading books.
外国語を学ぶことは大切です。Gaikokugo o manabu koto wa taisetsu desu.Learning foreign languages is important.
彼が来たのを知っていますか。Kare ga kita no o shitte imasu ka.Do you know that he came?
Common errors
- Do not select this pattern from an English translation alone; check its attachment and discourse function.
- Keep the surrounding sentence in a consistent plain, polite, spoken, or written register.
Quick summary
- Attach の or こと to a plain clause so it can function as a noun phrase.
- の is often concrete, immediate, or conversational; こと is more abstract and common with rules, abilities, and established predicates.
- Many matrix expressions select one form, so the two nominalizers are not freely interchangeable.