The key idea
Choose nominalisation when it makes formal writing more precise and compact, but keep simpler forms when they improve clarity.
What is it for?
Learn to use nouns made from verbs and adjectives in formal writing. Make information more compact and objective without making it difficult to read.
What you need to know
- How verbs and adjectives become nouns.
- How nominalisation changes the focus and tone of a sentence.
- Common patterns, such as an increase in and the implementation of.
- How to choose suitable prepositions after noun forms.
- How to balance compact formal sentences with clear, direct sentences.
1. Understand nominalisation
Nominalisation means changing a verb or adjective into a noun. This often makes writing more formal. It can also place more information inside one sentence.
- decide becomes decision.
- grow becomes growth.
- rapidly becomes rapid, which can describe a noun.
- clear becomes clarity.
- Use the noun when the action or quality matters more than the person.
The manager decided to close the shop.
The verb decided shows the manager's action.
The manager's decision to close the shop surprised staff.
The noun decision focuses on the choice.
The shop grew rapidly.
The verb grew describes a change.
The shop experienced rapid growth.
The noun growth makes the sentence more formal.
2. Change the sentence focus
A plain sentence often names the person doing something. A nominal sentence often focuses on the action or result. This is useful in reports, proposals, and formal explanations.
- Keep the person when responsibility matters.
- Use a noun when the action or result matters more.
- Add useful details without repeating the same subject.
- Do not remove important information just to sound formal.
The team reduced costs by 10%.
This version clearly names the team.
The reduction in costs reached 10%.
This version focuses on the result.
The council decided quickly to change the bus route.
The action and its timing receive attention.
The council's rapid decision to change the bus route caused delays.
The noun decision creates a compact, formal sentence.
3. Use common noun patterns
Some noun forms often appear with particular prepositions. Learn the whole phrase, not only the noun. This helps you write accurately and avoid awkward combinations.
- an increase in something
- a reduction in something
- the implementation of a plan
- the failure to do something
- a decision about something
- an improvement in something
There was an increase in bus use.
Use in after increase when naming what changed.
The implementation of the new timetable begins in June.
Use of to connect implementation with the plan.
The failure to check the figures caused confusion.
Use to before the action that did not happen.
The decision about staff hours remains unchanged.
Use about to introduce the subject of the decision.
4. Keep formal writing clear
Nominalisation can shorten writing, but too many nouns can make it difficult. Readers may need to work harder to find the main action. Choose a clear sentence over a complicated one.
- Use nominalisation when it improves focus or saves words.
- Avoid putting several abstract nouns together.
- Name the person or group when responsibility matters.
- Follow a dense sentence with a simpler sentence when useful.
- Read each sentence aloud to check its clarity.
The implementation of the timetable reduced waiting times. Passengers now wait less.
The first sentence is formal. The second makes the result clear.
The team's review identified two delays.
This sentence uses one noun form and stays clear.
The review of the assessment of the reduction was delayed.
Too many nouns hide the main point.
The team reviewed the results and found fewer delays.
Direct verbs make the action easier to follow.
How to do it, step by step
- Decide what the reader needs to know.
- Choose the main action, result, or quality.
- Change the verb or adjective into a suitable noun.
- Add the correct preposition and useful details.
- Read the sentence again and remove unnecessary nouns.
Formulas and key language
| Use it for | Example | Another example |
|---|---|---|
| an increase in + noun | An increase in bus use reduced traffic. | An increase in demand affected shop opening hours. |
| a reduction in + noun | A reduction in costs helped the company. | A reduction in waiting times improved the service. |
| the implementation of + noun | The implementation of the plan starts next month. | The implementation of new rules requires staff training. |
| the failure to + base verb | The failure to check the figures caused errors. | The failure to repair the road delayed buses. |
| a decision about + noun | The decision about opening hours remains pending. | The decision about staff training needs careful review. |
| an improvement in + noun | An improvement in service reduced complaints. | An improvement in road safety benefited local families. |
| the rapid growth of + noun | The rapid growth of the business created new jobs. | The rapid growth of bus use changed travel patterns. |
| the assessment of + noun | The assessment of costs took two weeks. | The assessment of passenger needs guided the plan. |
UK / US: Both British and American English use nominalisation. Spelling may differ, as in organisation (British) and organization (American).
Level up: Replace basic words (good, very, nice) with stronger ones. See our A2 to C1 upgrades page.
Model text
Two Ways to Explain a Transport Plan
Plain style
The city council reviewed the bus service because many people waited too long. Staff checked passenger numbers and found that buses arrived late during the morning rush. The council then changed two routes and added three buses. As a result, passengers spent less time at bus stops. The team also asked local residents for feedback, so it could identify further problems. These changes made daily travel more reliable for workers and students.
This version uses direct verbs. It clearly shows who acted and what changed.
Nominal style
The council's review of the bus service followed repeated complaints about long waiting times. An assessment of passenger numbers revealed frequent delays during the morning rush. The implementation of two route changes, alongside the addition of three buses, reduced waiting times. As a result, daily travel became more reliable for workers and students. The collection of feedback from local residents also supported the identification of further service problems. These findings suggest that continued monitoring would help the council assess future needs. The main benefit was a measurable improvement in the reliability of public transport.
This version uses nouns such as review, assessment, implementation, and improvement. It sounds more formal and focuses on results. The final sentences also show why the changes matter.
Common mistakes
✗ There was an increase of passenger numbers.
✓ There was an increase in passenger numbers.
Use in after increase when naming what became greater.
✗ The implementation the new plan starts soon.
✓ The implementation of the new plan starts soon.
Use of to connect implementation with the plan.
✗ The team made a decision about to change the route.
✓ The team made a decision to change the route.
Use to before the action following decision.
✗ The reduction of costs improved the service.
✓ The reduction in costs improved the service.
Use in to describe a decrease in costs.
✗ The review of the assessment of the evaluation took two weeks.
✓ The evaluation review took two weeks.
Too many nouns hide the main idea. Remove the unnecessary noun phrase.
✗ The failure of checking the figures caused errors.
✓ The failure to check the figures caused errors.
Use to plus a base verb after failure when an action did not happen.
Plan it, then check it
Plan
- Write the main message in a plain sentence.
- Circle the action or result that matters most.
- Choose a suitable noun form and its usual preposition.
- Join related information, but keep the main point clear.
Check
- Does the noun form make the writing more formal or precise?
- Have I used the correct preposition after each noun?
- Can the reader still identify the main action?
- Have I avoided long chains of nouns?
- Would a direct verb make any sentence clearer?
Practice
Choose the best nominal version
Choose the sentence that uses nominalisation clearly and correctly.
1.The council increased bus services.
Increase is a noun, and in introduces what became greater.
2.The team decided to reduce costs.
Decision is the correct noun, followed by to and the base verb.
3.The council implemented the new timetable.
Implementation is normally followed by of and the plan or system.
4.The company improved its delivery service.
Improvement in is a common and natural noun pattern.
5.Staff failed to check the figures.
Failure to is followed by the base form of the verb.
6.Passenger numbers grew rapidly.
The adjective rapid describes the noun growth.
Match clauses with noun phrases
Match each plain sentence with its formal noun phrase.
1.Costs increased.
2.The council implemented the plan.
3.The team decided to change the route.
4.The company reduced its prices.
5.Staff failed to check the figures.
6.The service improved.
Complete the noun patterns
Write the missing noun or preposition. Use the word in brackets when shown.
1.There was an in bus use.
Increase names a rise in the number or amount of something.
2.The implementation the plan begins next week.
The noun implementation is normally followed by of.
3.A reduction waiting times improved the service.
Use in after reduction to name what became smaller.
4.The failure to (check) the figures caused errors.
Failure to is followed by the base form of the verb.
5.The rapid (grow) of the business created new jobs.
Growth is the noun form of grow.
6.An improvement road safety reduced accidents.
Use in after improvement to identify what became better.
Correct one small mistake
Change only the incorrect word or phrase in each sentence.
1.There was an increase of bus use last year.
Use in after increase when naming what became greater.
2.The implementation for the new timetable starts Monday.
Use of to connect implementation with the timetable.
3.The failure for check the figures caused delays.
Use to plus the base verb after failure.
4.The decision of changing the route was announced.
Use to plus the base verb to state the planned action.
5.The assessment of the review of costs took two days.
Removing an unnecessary noun phrase makes the sentence easier to understand.
Now write
Your task
Rewrite the five plain sentences below as one formal paragraph. Use nominalisation where it improves clarity. Keep important details and connect the ideas naturally. 1. The city council checked the bus routes. 2. Staff found that buses arrived late. 3. The council added two buses. 4. The change reduced waiting times. 5. The council asked passengers for feedback. Write one paragraph of about 80 to 120 words. You may add simple details, but keep the main facts.
Word bank
an assessment ofthe implementation ofa reduction inan increase inthe collection ofpassenger feedbackservice reliabilitywaiting timesroute changesmorning delaysa decision toas a resultin additionfurther improvementsfuture planning
Sentence starters
- The council's assessment of...
- The review of the routes...
- The implementation of...
- As a result, the reduction in...
- In addition, the collection of...
- These findings suggest that...