What is a Nominalization?What is a Nominalization? A A nominalizationnominalization is the conversion of a verb, is the conversion of a verb,

adjective, or adverb into a noun. adjective, or adverb into a noun.

For example, the word “friendly” is an adverb. If we For example, the word “friendly” is an adverb. If we add the suffix “ness,” then the term becomes add the suffix “ness,” then the term becomes “friendliness” and is therefore a noun. “friendliness” and is therefore a noun.

Adverb: Adverb: The stranger was extremely friendly The stranger was extremely friendly with the young boy. with the young boy.

Noun: Noun: The stranger’s extreme friendliness The stranger’s extreme friendliness made the boy uneasy.made the boy uneasy.

Here are two other examples using an Here are two other examples using an adjective and a verb.adjective and a verb.

Verb: I plan to use that weight machine. Verb: I plan to use that weight machine.

Noun: I have no use for that weight machine.Noun: I have no use for that weight machine. – – Here, “use” become the noun as it refers to the fact Here, “use” become the noun as it refers to the fact that the speaker no longer needs the weight that the speaker no longer needs the weight machine.machine.

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Adjective:Adjective: Marge is happy to have you as a Marge is happy to have you as a student.student. – In this case, the word “happy” – In this case, the word “happy” describes how Marge feels about having someone describes how Marge feels about having someone as a student and is therefore an adjective.as a student and is therefore an adjective.

Noun: Noun: Your happiness is all that matters to Your happiness is all that matters to me.me. After the addition of the suffix “ness,” After the addition of the suffix “ness,” happiness refers to a state of being or an idea happiness refers to a state of being or an idea and is therefore a noun.and is therefore a noun.

Importance of Importance of NominalizationNominalization

The nominalization of verbs, adjectives, and The nominalization of verbs, adjectives, and adverbs gives sentences more adverbs gives sentences more sophistication and adds some personality.sophistication and adds some personality.

E.g. “Your kindness is valued by the entire E.g. “Your kindness is valued by the entire village” as opposed to “You being kind to village” as opposed to “You being kind to everyone is valued by the entire village.” everyone is valued by the entire village.” It simplifies the sentence.It simplifies the sentence.

““If you cry, it would make things If you cry, it would make things worse” in verb form, but if we add worse” in verb form, but if we add the –the –inging suffix (also called a gerund), suffix (also called a gerund), then it becomes a noun. then it becomes a noun.

““Your crying would only make things Your crying would only make things worse.” worse.”

This process causes the verb to serve This process causes the verb to serve as the subject of the sentence. as the subject of the sentence.

The Infinitive as a NounThe Infinitive as a Noun

The infinitive (to + verb) can also be used as The infinitive (to + verb) can also be used as a noun. It is used when the verb acts as a noun. It is used when the verb acts as the subject or object of the sentence.the subject or object of the sentence.

E.g. E.g. My goal is to lose weight.My goal is to lose weight. The The subject is goal and the object of the subject is goal and the object of the subject is to lose weight. subject is to lose weight.

Abstract NounsAbstract Nouns

Abstract NounsAbstract Nouns are nouns which one cannot observe with are nouns which one cannot observe with their five senses such as hearing or feeling. their five senses such as hearing or feeling.

Examples include: refusal, bravery, wish, advice, fact, desire, Examples include: refusal, bravery, wish, advice, fact, desire, and proposal. and proposal.

The infinitive can be combined with an abstract noun in a The infinitive can be combined with an abstract noun in a sentence in order to better define the abstract noun. sentence in order to better define the abstract noun.

E.g. E.g. Mary’s wish to own a new house was more difficult Mary’s wish to own a new house was more difficult to fulfill than she imagined. to fulfill than she imagined. Mary’s “wish” is the Mary’s “wish” is the abstract noun. The infinitive is “to own.” Combined with abstract noun. The infinitive is “to own.” Combined with the infinitive “to own”, the abstract noun “wish” is more the infinitive “to own”, the abstract noun “wish” is more definitive.definitive.

On a sheet of paper, write your own On a sheet of paper, write your own sentences using the nominalizations sentences using the nominalizations reviwed in this presentation.reviwed in this presentation.

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