Nominalization

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A nominalization is a transformation of a word from a verb or an adjective into a noun. Since readers naturally expect the action in a sentence to be expressed in the verb, nominalizations often make sentences more difficult to follow. Nominalizations also tend to promote wordiness. For these reasons, nominalizations are usually discouraged in writing. However, they can be warranted in certain situations, and very common nominalizations (like the noun "changes") are usually not discouraged.

Examples

applicability (from applicable)
carelessness (from careless)
difficulty (from difficult)
failure (from fail)
intensity (from intense)
investigation (from investigate)
movement (from move)
reaction (from react)
refusal (from refuse)
swimming (from swim)
nominalization (from nominalize)

Useful Nominalizations

Not all nominalizations are bad! Certainly, there are times when using nominalizations will vary and clarify your meaning.

Nominalization is a subject referring to a previous sentence.

These arguments all depend on a single, unproven claim. This decision can lead to costly consequences.

The nominalization names what would be the object of its verb.

I do not understand either her meaning or his intentions.
I do not understand either what she meant or what he intends.
In this example, the writer actually confuses the reader by trying to compact the two noun/verb phrases into one.

To replace the awkward phrase, "the fact that"

The fact that I maintained my composure impressed the interview panel. My ability to maintain my composure impressed the interview panel. The use of the nominalization in this acceptable. However, the next sentence without the nominalization is still better. When I maintained my composure, I impressed the interview panel.

Referring to an often repeated concept

Few things have so divided Americans as the recent presidential election.

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