At a glance
～のは [Noun] ぐらいのものだ means "about the only one (or thing) that ... is [Noun]". It points to one person, thing or time as practically the only case, often with a feeling of "that's all".
[Verb plain form] のは [Noun] ぐらいのものだ。
この問題を解けるのは天才ぐらいのものだ。 Only a genius could solve this problem.
How to form it
The part before のは describes the situation. The noun after it is the one case that fits.
| Attaches to | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Verb, plain form (often potential) | 休めるのは日曜日ぐらいのものだ。 | Sunday is about the only day I can rest. |
| Verb + たことがある (experience) | 行ったことがあるのは京都ぐらいのものだ。 | Kyoto is about the only place I've been. |
| な-adjective + な | 暇なのは週末ぐらいのものだ。 | The weekend is about the only time I'm free. |
| Ending | Register |
|---|---|
| ぐらいのものだ | Casual, writing |
| ぐらいのものです | Polite |
| ぐらいのものだろう | Adds a guess: "probably" |