nominalizing

Nominalizing is the process of turning a verb, an adjective, or a clause into a noun or noun phrase. In linguistics and grammar, nominalizations are the nouns or noun phrases derived from these forms, and they can function as subjects, objects, or complements within a sentence.

In English, nominalizations are often formed with suffixes such as -tion, -ment, -ance, -ence, -ity, and -al (production, development, importance, arrival, analysis). They can also arise via the -ing form used as a noun (reading, writing) and through conversion, where a word changes function without a distinct affix (the run, his arrival). Some nominalizations come from verbs (decide -> decision, discuss -> discussion, analyze -> analysis).

Nominalizations enable abstraction and compact expression, especially in formal and academic writing, by turning processes and concepts into nouns that can be modified by adjectives or determiners (the rapid growth, a sudden decline). They may also introduce complexity: clauses can be nominalized to produce noun phrases (the fact that he arrived -> his arrival). However, overuse can reduce readability and obscure agency, so writers often balance nominalizations with more direct verb-based constructions.

Cross-linguistically, nominalization exists in many languages, though mechanisms vary: some rely on specific suffixes, others on word-formation or syntactic strategies. In language pedagogy and style guides, awareness of nominalization helps with grammar, clarity, and readability.