What is a Nominalization? A nominalization is the conversion of a verb, adjective, or adverb into a noun. For example, the word “friendly” is an adverb. If we add the suffix “ness,” then the term becomes “friendliness” and is therefore a noun. Adverb: The stranger was extremely friendly with the young boy. Noun: The stranger’s extreme friendliness made the boy uneasy.

Here are two other examples using an adjective and a verb. Verb: I plan to use that weight machine. Noun: I have no use for that weight machine. – Here, “use” become the noun as it refers to the fact that the speaker no longer needs the weight machine. Continued on next slide

Adjective: Marge is happy to have you as a student Adjective: Marge is happy to have you as a student. – In this case, the word “happy” describes how Marge feels about having someone as a student and is therefore an adjective. Noun: Your happiness is all that matters to me. After the addition of the suffix “ness,” happiness refers to a state of being or an idea and is therefore a noun.

Importance of Nominalization The nominalization of verbs, adjectives, and adverbs gives sentences more sophistication and adds some personality. E.g. “Your kindness is valued by the entire village” as opposed to “You being kind to everyone is valued by the entire village.” It simplifies the sentence.

“If you cry, it would make things worse” in verb form, but if we add the –ing suffix (also called a gerund), then it becomes a noun. “Your crying would only make things worse.” This process causes the verb to serve as the subject of the sentence.

The Infinitive as a Noun The infinitive (to + verb) can also be used as a noun. It is used when the verb acts as the subject or object of the sentence. E.g. My goal is to lose weight. The subject is goal and the object of the subject is to lose weight.

Abstract Nouns Abstract Nouns are nouns which one cannot observe with their five senses such as hearing or feeling. Examples include: refusal, bravery, wish, advice, fact, desire, and proposal. The infinitive can be combined with an abstract noun in a sentence in order to better define the abstract noun. E.g. Mary’s wish to own a new house was more difficult to fulfill than she imagined. Mary’s “wish” is the abstract noun. The infinitive is “to own.” Combined with the infinitive “to own”, the abstract noun “wish” is more definitive.

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

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