こと vs ということ

[seanblue]

What is the difference between just こと and ということ? For example, this this Bunpro sentence:

僕は日本に絶対行くということを分かってほしい。

I want you to understand that I will definitely be going to Japan. [phrase to noun]

[mrnoone]

First of all, short introduction:

ということ vs ということだ

@s1212z @Anthropos888 ということhas many uses, but like @s1212z says, they are in fact really similar, and if you know the context you don’t really have to think much about exact translation, but there are some hints. explaining something(like phrase) Aというのは・とは・って、Bということだ。 A means B. ‎満身創痍というのは傷だらけということだ。 analysis of some fact etc Aということは・とは・って、Bということだ。 A means B. (I have been bitten by vampire, that means I will turn into one) 吸血鬼に噛まれたということはすぐに吸血鬼になるということだ。 hearsay (I heard that etc, more…

So, there are cases where という is necessary, and when it is optional.

Necessary:

• when clause before it is a quotation
  車だよということ - since there is final particle we know it is a quotation (よ in this case, but だろう、でしょう、わ、ぞ、な etc are included)
  車を貸して(ください this is not said)ということsomethingsomething - unfinished sentence also points a quotation

Optional (depends on speaker’s/writer’s preference):

• when clause has new information and speaker wants to emphasize it (to speaker/ interlocutor)
  A: 日本語では相槌を打つということがとても大切ですよ。
  B:そうですか。

A: In Japanese, using aiduchi is important.
B: Is that so?
()

Context: A and B are talking about teaching Japanese, A shares new information “using aiduchi” (which can be new for A(since he might have learned it second ago)/unknown to B/both).

• contrastive to some other information:
  犬が好きなAさん: 犬が大好き！かわいいわよ！
  犬が嫌いなBさん: まあ、犬は臭い匂いがするってことだけ思い浮かぶわ。
  Dog loving A: I love dags. They are cutee!
  Dog hating B: Well, when it comes to dags, the only thing that comes to my mind is that they have an unpleasant smell.

The sweetness of dogs is contrasted with the clause about their bad smell.
(I am dog person myself )

• Speaker/writer wants to put some distance beetween him/her and information in ということ.

1. when information is a hearsay
2. he/she is not convienced that information is true
3. he/she does not agree with the information

Example for three above:
マグロは寝ながら泳ぐということをよく耳にする。果たしてそれは本当なのでしょうか。
I often hear that tuna swim while sleeping. I wonder if that is really the case?

• When sentence is grammatically complicated/long.

You will see ということ (and こと) most often with verbs that express communication like 言える、書く and verbs that express though process and believing: 考える、思う、理解する、信じる etc.