Nominalizations
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Introduction
Nominalizations, also called abstract nouns, are nouns obtained from verbs, adverbs, or adjectives. A common noun is a person, place, or thing, whereas an abstract noun deals with qualities, ideas, states of mind, actions and events, [1]
Examples
Verb Nominalization Adjective Nominalization
discover discovery careless carelessness
move movement difficult difficulty
react reaction different difference
Most sentences follow a pattern of subject, verb, and object.
- Jim dedicated the speech to his Mom.
- Dwight ate beets at his desk.
Sentences that use nominalization can follow a pattern where the abstract noun is subject+action+goal and the verb is "empty".
- Their lack of attention was annoying.
- The teacher's rejection of my paper was unexpected.
The two examples above are dull and do not have much action.
- I was annoyed at their lack of attention.
- The teacher rejected my paper unexpectedly.
The verbs in these two sentences have action. One could almost feel the annoyance and rejection. It is easier to read because it follows a more traditional sentence format.
Abstract Nouns
Abstract nouns are words that can't be touched or seen, but are felt or known. The abstract nouns are italicized.
Quality-
- I could see the intelligence in her eyes.
- His kindness could not be measured.
Ideas
- Let freedom ring.
- His luck just ran out.
State of Mind
- The bravery of the soldier was honored with a medal.
- His confidence was over flowing.
Actions and Events
- I saw the neighbor take a walk with his dog.
- Her journey lasted three weeks.
Nominalizations Converted
- 1. Nominalizations that follow verbs with very little meaning should be changed to a verb.
a. The group has no intention of completing the project.
b. The group does not intend to complete the project.
- 2. Nominalizations that follow there is or there are should be changed to a verb to find the subject.
a. There is a resistance to the choice of music at the dance.
b. The students resisted the choice of music for the dance.
a. There was considerable damage to the school.
b. The school was damaged considerably.
- 3. Nominalization that is the subject of an empty verb should be changed to a verb to find a new subject.
a. The presentation of the document today is to inform the employees of new policies.
b. The document presented today informed the employees of new policies.
a. Our presentation concerned a plan for saving money.
b. We presented a plan for saving money.
- 4. Nominalizations that occur several times in a sentence should changed the first one into a verb, then either leave the other one or change it a verb in a clause starting with how or why.
a. There was first a presentation of the failure of the company.
b. First, she presented the failure of the company.
c. First, she presented why the company failed.
- 5. Revision is recommended of the nominalization as a subject connected to a secondary nominalization in the predicate verb or phrase that links them.
a. subject-Our inoculation against diseases
b. Connection-was because of
c. Object-our traveling to tropical countries.
A revision to this sentence would begin with changing inoculation to inoculated. Next, find the subject: we inoculated. Then, use a connection that expresses a causal relationship:if, provided that, so long as. Or a contradiction to the cause could be used: although, though, unless.
New sentence:
a. We inoculated against diseases
b. because
c. we traveled to tropical countries.
References
Kries, Daniel.The Hyper Text Books.[2]
Ward, Ken. Ken Ward's Writing Pages.[3]
Williams, Joseph M. Style Toward Clarity and Grace,pp. 30-34.
