Embedded question followed by と


What is the grammar behind the use of the quote marker と in this sentence?

> 雨がいつ降るか **と** 大変楽しみにしていましたが、なかなか雨が降りません。
>
> He was looking forward to when the rain would come, but...

Can I also write

> 雨が降ることを大変楽しみにしていましたが、なかなか雨が降りません。
>
> He was looking forward to the rain coming, but...

and does it change the nuance?




As you already noticed that the と is used as the quote marker in the first
sentence. That means 雨がいつ降るか is written as the person's thought, which makes
the sentence more subjective.

On the contrary, the second sentence sounds more objective.

Relatively with or without personal feelings might be the crucial difference
between the two sentences.

By the way, just by the single sentence without context, the subject of it is
more likely to be "I" rather than "HE".




As you already noticed that the と is used as the quote marker in the first
sentence. That means 雨がいつ降るか is written as the person's thought, which makes
the sentence more subjective.

On the contrary, the second sentence sounds more objective.

Relatively with or without personal feelings might be the crucial difference
between the two sentences.

By the way, just by the single sentence without context, the subject of it is
more likely to be "I" rather than "HE".

