～とのことだ

When to use

Formal, literary hearsay - "I was told that/it is said that".

Explanation

The ～とのことだ grammar point is used to express something that the speaker has heard from someone else. It can be roughly translated as 'I've heard that', 'I was told that' in English. It is a formal way to present hearsay or information the speaker did not directly witness but was informed about.

• 週末しゅうまつにパーティーがあるとのことだ。

  I've heard that there is a party this weekend.

  Shuumatsu ni paatii ga aru to no koto da.

• 彼かれは来年らいねんロンドンに引ひっ越こすとのことだ。

  I was told that he is moving to London next year.

  Kare wa rainen Rondon ni hikkosu to no koto da.

• 彼女かのじょは新あたらしい仕事しごとについたとのことだ。

  I've heard that she has gotten a new job.

  Kanojo wa atarashii shigoto ni tsuita to no koto da.

• 明日あしたは試験しけんがないとのことだ。

  I was told that there is no exam tomorrow.

  Ashita wa shiken ga nai to no koto da.

Inference (It Seems / Probably)

• ～だろう〜darouN4Express probability, likelihood or certainty; 'probably'…
• ～ようだ〜you daN4Expresses appearance, similarity or inference; 'it seems'…
• ～らしい〜rashiiN3Expresses hearsay; 'I heard', 'it seems', 'apparently'.
• ～ということだ〜to iu koto daN3Express a conclusion or hearsay; 'I heard', 'it means'…
• ～んだって〜n datteN3Conveys information heard from someone else; 'I heard'…
• ～かもしれない〜kamoshirenaiN4Express uncertainty; 'maybe', 'might', 'possibly'.
• もしかすると〜かもしれないmoshikasuru to 〜kamoshirenaiN3Express the possibility of something; 'maybe', 'perhaps'…
• ～とみえて〜to mieteN1It seems that; apparently
• ～まい〜maiN2Express a negative conjecture or determination; 'probably…
• ～そうだ〜sou daN4Express the appearance, seeming, or feeling of something…
• ～に決まっている〜ni kimatte iruN2Express certainty; 'it is obvious', 'it must be', 'no…

Compare when to use each