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Usages of 〜koto
〜こと が できる〜koto ga dekiru
to be able to; to be possible to
時間 を 止めること は できません。zikan wo tomerukoto ha dekimasen.
(You) cannot stop time.
Using は in this sentence might be more suitable because it is more all-encompassing than が (it implies that no one can stop time), while が is more specific and might refer to something like being unable to stop time on a personal capacity.
〜こと が ある〜koto ga aru
to have done (before)
フルート を 吹くこと は 私 の 趣味 です。huruuto wo hukukoto ha watasi no syumi desu.
Playing the flute is my hobby.
この 夏、 海外旅行 を すること に する。kono natu, kaigairyokou wo surukoto ni suru.
I've decided to travel abroad this summer.
もう お菓子 を 食べないこと に する。mou okasi wo tabenaikoto ni suru.
I've decided not to eat sweets anymore.
この ゲーム は、 カード を 引くこと から 始まります。kono geemu ha, kaado wo hikukoto kara hazimarimasu.
This game starts by drawing cards.
In this context, から indicates a starting point or origin. When we say カードを引くことから始まります, it literally means it starts from the act of drawing cards, emphasizing the point at which the action begins.
This usage of から highlights the sequence of events or actions, with the act of drawing cards being the initial step in the game.
病気 の 原因 を 見つけること が 重要 です。byouki no genin wo mitukerukoto ga zyuuyou desu.
Finding the cause of the illness is important.
初め に 計画 を 立てること が 重要 です。hazime ni keikaku wo taterukoto ga zyuuyou desu.
It's important to make a plan at the beginning.
駅 が 近くて 便利 で、 ここ に 住むこと に しました。eki ga tikakute benri de, koko ni sumukoto ni simasita.
The station is close and convenient, so I decided to live here.
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“How do verb conjugations work in Japanese?”
Japanese verbs conjugate based on tense, politeness, and mood. For example, the polite present form adds ‑ます to the verb stem, while the past tense uses ‑ました. Unlike English, Japanese verbs don't change based on the subject — the same form works for "I", "you", and "they".
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