Nominalization

What is Nominalization?

Nominalization is a grammatical process where a verb or an adjective is transformed into a noun. This often involves adding suffixes like -tion, -ment, -ance, or -ity.

Key Concepts

Nominalization can make writing more concise but also more abstract. It shifts focus from the action or quality to the result or concept.

• Verbal Nominalization: Turning a verb into a noun (e.g., ‘decide’ becomes ‘decision’).
• Adjectival Nominalization: Turning an adjective into a noun (e.g., ‘happy’ becomes ‘happiness’).

Deep Dive

While useful, overuse can lead to wordiness and passive voice. For example, ‘The implementation of the plan’ is less direct than ‘We implemented the plan’.

Applications

Nominalization is common in:

• Academic writing
• Formal reports
• Technical documentation

Challenges & Misconceptions

A common challenge is losing the original agent or action. It can make sentences sound more complex than necessary.

FAQs

Q: Is nominalization always bad?
A: No, it’s a natural linguistic process. The key is to use it appropriately and avoid overuse.

Q: How can I identify nominalization?
A: Look for nouns that seem to represent an action or quality, often ending in common nominalizing suffixes.