Nominalization

Post-Task: Week 16

Nominalization: Preference of nouns in academic writing

Objectives

To understand how nominalisation is part of effective academic style ​

To give introductory practice in focusing your academic writing around nouns

introduction

What is Nominalization? Nominalization is the process of changing verbs or adjectives to nouns. In academic writing we tend to focus our writing around nouns rather than verbs or adjectives. This has the primary effect of communicating complex ideas more concisely while also retaining distance and objectivity.

Stages of Nominalization

Identify the main verbs

Change these verbs to nouns

Rewrite the sentence using Nouns

Which verb can be nominalized

We analyzed the data from experiment, and it revealed children react when they have too much sugar.

You can use online dictionaries www.Oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/ Analyzed=Analysis React=Reaction

Analyzed and react are the main verbs

The analysis of the data revealed children's reaction to excessive sugar intake.

Nominalisation example

Nominalisation example

Nominalisation example

Example sentence:

• Another important benefit is the fact that this can be used to reduce emissions.

Rewriten in Nominalized form

• ​ ​ The reduction in emissions is an important benefit.

​ ​ Notice how the second sentence is much more concise.

Vocabulary game! Make nouns from these verbs/adjectives use online dictionaries such as:

Nominalise the following sentences by changing adjectives or verbs:

Nominalise the sentence below using the verb in bold. 1. These figures assume that inflation will rise no higher than 2%. 2. The one primary issue to create value in a business is profits. 3. We evaluated the results and this explains the loss in revenue. 4. The judge will decide finally on how long the offender remains in jail.

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As you prepare for your writing exams, remember the power of nominalization! Use it to:

• Enhance clarity in your arguments.
• Strengthen your academic tone.
• Improve sentence structure and variety.

Practise this technique in your essays to make your writing stand out. Good luck! 🎓✍️

Possible Answer 1. One of the assumptions on inflation is that the figures will not rise higher than 2%.

Possible Answer 3. An evaluation of results provides an explanation to the loss in revenue.

Possible Answer 4. The judge makes the final decision on the length of the sentence.

Possible Answer 2. Value creation in a business is connected to the one primary issue of profits.