ことだ・
ことだ is advice from someone who knows better: "the thing to do is…". Without だ, a line that stops at こと is a written rule, the language of notices and school rules.
advice
If you want to get better, the thing to do is practice out loud every day, even just a little.
Advice
Verb in the dictionary form or the ない-form + ことだ／ことです
することだ, しないことだ.
A rule
Verb in the dictionary form or the ない-form + こと
The line stops at こと, with no だ or です.
ことだ: advice from someone who knows
It picks out the one thing that matters most. The goal or the situation usually comes first, with なら, には or ときは.
If you want to feel well again, the thing is not to overdo it tonight.
To pick up a foreign language, the thing to do is use it without being afraid of mistakes.
A doctor says it, or a coach, a teacher, a parent, an older colleague. Advice columns and self-help books are full of it. It is firm and sounds a little like a lesson. To a friend it comes out as a lecture, and it is not said to someone above you.
If you have a fever, you should go to bed early today.
A friend, about tonight.
If you have a fever, the thing to do is go to bed early today.
A doctor, or a parent being firm.
こと: the last word of a written rule
School rules, notices on a wall, exam papers, the instructions for a school trip: each line stops at こと. Nobody in particular is speaking, so there is no だ or です. Teachers say it aloud too, giving a class its instructions. In conversation the same rule is てください or てはいけません.
Reports must be submitted online by Friday.
Always turn off the power after use.
Examinees must not open the question booklet until the signal to begin.
Close neighbours
たほうがいいN5
The everyday "you should", one person to another about one situation.
If your stomach hurts, you'd better not eat spicy food.
べきだN3
A judgment of what is right. ことだ is usually practical: what works.
You shouldn't laugh at other people's mistakes.
ことはないN3
Not the negative of ことだ. It says there is no need to. Advice against something is ないことだ.
There is still time, so there is no need to panic.
の・ことN5
After …は, ことです only says what something is: "is …ing".
My hobby is walking around unfamiliar towns.
ということだN3
With という in front, it passes on what you were told.
According to the person in charge, the results will be announced on Friday.
ことになっているN4
Tells someone about a rule that exists. A line ending in こと is the rule itself.
You're not supposed to use cell phones during exams.
Check yourself
1Where would you see this?
教室の
Choose an answer to see why.
2Who is more likely to say this?
試合に
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
When you are in trouble, the thing to do is ask for advice early and not carry it all alone.
If you don't want to lose people's trust, don't make promises you can't keep.
When feelings are running high, the thing is not to reply straight away.
If you will be absent, notify the person in charge in advance.
Do not copy the materials without permission.
Do not leave bags or packages in front of the emergency exit.