Shouldn't the meaning of ということは = that means, meaning that... Or "in other words". Because if just nomify the 意味 couldn't it be 運転することは得意です。or what would be the difference?
Thanks - I've added a new page for とのことだ. You should add a few sentences in there for practice :). ( http://www.renshuu.org/index.php?page=grammar/individual&id=344 )
I checked my JLPT specification book, though, and only found ということ in the level 2 list. Do you have another source that says level 3?
と言うことです is mentioned in Unicom grammar book for level 3 where the meaning and sentence construction is the same as the one posted here. I don't have any other sources other than that.
I think I got confused with this entry at one point: http://www.renshuu.org/index.php?page=grammar/individual&id=131 At first glance, it’s very similar except one uses copula instead of a particle (aside from the different meanings).
Another grammar point that is missing on this site is "っぱなし". Similar meaning as "‾まま"
I've not heard of it either, and it definitely wasn't in my textbook when I studied a few years ago. I'm thinking it might have been added in the textbook that mireille is using as an unofficial grammar point that's been seen in the test before (what is it, like 10% of the grammar/vocab each year is outside of the official lists).
And ということだ has two meanings. 1) something heard 2) Present info
After reading my previous post, it's a bit more clear. The first meaning was added in the lv3 grammar book, but only in the lv2 grammar book more details about the construction with examples were given. So it's something lv3 students needs to be familiar with but not something that really needs to be mastered completely.
I'm not sure whether this or the standalone という is the best place to add a usage/meaning, but since the standalone one specifies a noun before という, I'm going to suggest it here. Instead of こと one can use some more specific words, that render the preceding clause into "such/such that", e.g. 問題な仕事をいつも他の人に任せるという心理 (the mentality of always leaving problematic work to others) 二度と彼と話さないという考え (the thought of never speaking to him again)
Again, not sure that fits here, but it seemed to be the closest one.
Yeah, the standalone one was my first choice, it would definitely require a new meaning there (edit: though IMO the A is called B meaning is the same, just one specific aspect - but still probably useful to keep separate for JLPT purposes). Unfortunately I can't think of a not overall general description for it... well, it mostly is a pretty general structure of one clause clarifying another. Maybe sort of "that is/that says"; says, since apart from abstract things like thoughts/feelings etc, it can also be used for general information-passing ones, e.g. という話、という噂、という通報 etc.
In the second meaning, the construction for verbs specify dictionary form. However, I saw example from here, where verbs are "conjugated" but keep casual form. Such as :「ボブとルーシーはこうさいをやめたということだ。」「あー、会わないということだね。」
