Nominalization is a noun form of a verb. Here are some examples.
Nominalization | Verb |
performance | perform |
realization | realize |
decision | decide |
If you use nominalization carelessly, you may end up of with clunky sentences like these.
The performance of Hamlet was the decision of the drama teacher.
Jesse came to the realization that Susan wasn’t the right girl for him.
To rewrite these sentences clearly, decide who your main characters are, switch your nominalizations to verbs, and revise.
The drama teacher decided the actors would perform Hamlet.
Jesse realized that Susan wasn’t the right girl for him.
Nominalization can also be a noun form of an adjective.
Nominalization | Adjective |
bitterness | bitter |
difficulty | difficult |
craziness | crazy |
Let’s consider this sentence:
The bitterness of the spider stew made me puke.
There are several ways we can revise this.
The spider stew tasted bitter. It made me puke.
The bitter spider stew made me puke.
When I tasted the bitter spider stew, I puked.
In third revision, I divided the sentence into two clauses and added the subordinating conjunction, when.
Try clearing up these clunky concoctions. Hint: When you revise these sentences, you may need to add conjunctions.
1. I don’t understand the teacher’s explanation of the assignment.
2. His sudden appearance on my doorstep startled me.
3. The accuracy of the information resulted in John earning high marks on his research paper.
I will post the answers tomorrow. Happy revising!
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