Why is こと used at the end of this sentence?


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.




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.




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.

