When trying to convey 'apparently', when do you use, だそう, and when do you use そう?


I have seen both `だそう` and `そう` written at the end of a sentence to convey
"apparently". Do you use だそう when trying to convey "according to" (によると)?




If the sentence ends in a verb or -い adjective, **do not** use -だそう. Here's an
example:

> Nagano has delicious soba: 長野はそばがおいしいです。  
> I hear Nagano has delicious soba: 長野はそばがおいしいそうです。  
> According to the travel agency, Nagano has delicious soba：
> 旅行会社によると、長野はそばがおいしいそうです。

If the sentence ends in a -な adjective or a noun, use -だそう:

> Mount Fuji is beautiful: 富士山はきれいです。  
> I hear Mount Fuji is beautiful: 富士山はきれいだそうです。  
> According to my sensei, Mount Fuji is beatiful: 先生によると、富士山はきれいだそうです。

The rule is this: take the plain form of the sentence (as if you're speaking
informally), and add そうです.

