Translated examples
本を読むのが好きです。
I like reading books.
毎日歩くことは大切です。
Walking every day is important.
泳ぐのは楽しいです。
Swimming is fun.
日本語を読むことができます。
I can read Japanese.
子どもが走っているのを見ました。
I saw a child running.
約束を忘れないことが大切です。
It is important not to forget promises.
の and こと can package a clause so it works as a noun phrase: 本を読むのが好きです. Their uses overlap, but they are not interchangeable in every fixed pattern. Learn the following expression along with the nominaliser.
Formation and use
With preferences and evaluations, both can appear: 泳ぐのが好きです and 泳ぐことが好きです. の often feels more tied to a concrete activity; do not make that tendency an absolute rule.
Some constructions select こと: 読むことができる and 読んだことがある. Replacing it mechanically with の does not preserve those target patterns.
Comparisons and common errors
With direct perception of an event, の is natural: 子どもが走っているのを見ました. The whole clause before の tells you what was seen; it is not simply the possessive の between two nouns.
The embedded clause uses plain forms: 読むの, 読まないこと. Ordinary na-adjective and noun clauses before nominalising の can use な, as in 静かなのが好きです. Start with verb clauses before extending this structure.
Practise with explanations
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History and self-check answers
The answers below are for self-study and do not record a score. Mixed practice uses topics you have practised.
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