42729
I was writing a small essay about comfort dogs given to veterans. I had my
friend review it for mistakes and they made this correction:

> お国の意図はその犬が兵士をなぐさめることだった。

They said that it is more understandable with the こと at the end. Could someone
explain why please?

Thank you.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-19T17:54:41.503
42677
2017-01-21T07:05:41.820
11827
question
grammar
Why is こと used at the end of this sentence?
I believe こと is used here to create a noun phrase. Turning なぐさめる from a verb
into a noun. This only applies with the dictionary form of Japanese verbs. The
meaning between this and:

> お国の意図はその犬が兵士をなぐさめます。

are almost identical, but as your friend said, its easier to understand.

Hope this helps! _8)_
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-19T18:07:27.360
42678
2017-01-19T18:44:13.303
2017-01-19T18:44:13.303
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answer
The final こと nominalizes the

> その犬が兵士をなぐさめる

part of the sentence.

お国の意図は「名詞」でした。

but without the こと it is as if you are saying the intent is doing the action.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-21T07:05:41.820
42729
2017-01-21T07:05:41.820
11827
42677
answer