JapaneseJLPT
JLPT N3 grammar · Chapter 19

～こと (rules)

State a written rule about what to do or avoid

You’ll be able to end written instructions with a dictionary-form or ない-form verb + こと and distinguish this directive from ～ことだ giving advice.

Illustration of the scene described by To protect nature, do not pick the beautiful flowers in the forest.
Read it first

自然しぜんを守まもるため、森もりのきれいな花はなを取とらないこと。

shizen o mamoru tame, mori no kirei na hana o toranai koto.

What do you think this sentence means?

To protect nature, do not pick the beautiful flowers in the forest.

Why it means that

State written rules and official instructions

Verb dictionary form + こと at sentence end states an official rule, regulation, or instruction on signs, notices, and manuals ("must do...", "are to...").

Examples

名前なまえはペンで書かくこと。

namae wa pen de kaku koto.

Write your name in pen.

図書館としょかんの中なかで食たべないこと。

toshokan no naka de tabenai koto.

Do not eat inside the library.

How it is built

End written rules with こと

Attach こと directly to a verb in dictionary form (for mandatory instructions) or ない-form (for prohibitions). It is used on written notices, contracts, and guidelines.

verb (dictionary / ない-form)+こと
Example

試験しけん中ちゅうは携帯けいたい電話でんわの電源でんげんを切きること。

shikenchuu wa keitai denwa no dengen o kiru koto.

During the exam, you must turn off the power to your mobile phone.

Compare

～ことだ vs ～こと

They differ only by だ. ～ことだ is spoken advice to someone about the best thing to do. ～こと with no だ is a written rule on a sign, notice or handout.

  • ～ことだ, the best thing is to

    毎日まいにち少すこしずつ復習ふくしゅうすることだ。

    mainichi sukoshi zutsu fukushuu suru koto da.

    The best thing is to review a little every day.

    Advice from one person to another.

  • ～こと, rule: do …

    毎日まいにち少すこしずつ復習ふくしゅうすること。

    mainichi sukoshi zutsu fukushuu suru koto.

    Review a little every day.

    A written instruction, e.g. on a class handout.

Examples

使つかったタオルは、入いり口ぐちの箱はこに入いれること。

tsukatta taoru wa, iriguchi no hako ni ireru koto.

Put used towels in the box by the entrance.

台所だいどころを出でる前まえに、ガスの火ひを消けしたか必かならず確認かくにんすること。

daidokoro o deru mae ni, gasu no hi o keshita ka kanarazu kakunin suru koto.

Before leaving the kitchen, always check that the gas is turned off.

会議室かいぎしつを使つかったら、机つくえといすを元もとの場所ばしょに戻もどすこと。

kaigishitsu o tsukattara, tsukue to isu o moto no basho ni modosu koto.

After using the meeting room, return the desks and chairs to their original places.

7 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.