Nominalisation 22

Grammar
Nominalisation

There has been an increase in the number of people living close to the lake. or The number of people living close
to the lake has increased.
The danger of the situation made it necessary to bring in the army to oversee operations. or The situation was
so dangerous that it was necessary to bring in the army to oversee operations.
We can sometimes use a noun or noun phrase for an idea usually expressed by a verb or adjective. This
process is referred to as nominalisation. It is especially common in formal styles of writing.

An adverb modifying a verb changes to an adjective in a nominalised form:

Scientists noticed a sudden rise in the temperature of the lake. or Scientists noticed that the temperature of the lake
had risen suddenly.
The main noun in a noun phrase is often followed by one or more prepositional phrases:
The industrial development of the area has increased the number of people living near the lake.
There was also a dramatic rise in the level of radon gas in the soil.
We use nominalisation for a number of reasons:
to avoid mentioning the agent (the person or thing that performs the action); for example, if we want to be
impersonal or to make the agent less important Compare
Two days ago the authorities began to evacuate 30,000 people. (agent = the authorities)
Two days ago the evacuation of around 30,000 people began. (no agent mentioned)
to express two clauses more concisely as one clause:
The building of two power stations just a few kilometres away was strongly criticised by environmentalists. or
Two power stations were built just a few kilometres away. This was strongly criticised by environmentalists.
to give a different focus to the sentence. Compare
The provision of temporary shelter in a safe location for those displaced is the army's top priority. (New,
important information is usually placed at the end of the sentence or dause. The focus here is on the army's
top priority.)
Temporary shelter in a safe location for those displaced is being provided, and this is the army's top priority.
(No particular focus: is being provided and the army's top priority are both in 'new information' position in
their clause.)

Ets Do, give, have, make, take + noun

We can sometimes use a form with do/give/have/make/take + noun instead of a verb:
The authorities took immediate action. or The authorities acted immediately.
The decision was made to evacuate the area. or It was decided to evacuate the area.
Often, the do/give/have/make/take + noun patterns are less formal than using a verb alone
When my mother was ill, I had to cook for the family. (more formal)
I had to do all the cooking last week because Mum was away. (less formal)

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22 Nominalisation

Grammar exercises
En Rewrite the sentences to remove the agent. Use a nominalised form of the underlined verb and make
any other changes needed.

1The government released the prisoners unexpectedly.

2 They organised the conference very professionally.

3 Spectators turned out in huge numbers for the match.

4 The army withdrew the troops immediately.
5 We need to shake uD top management for the company to be successful again.
6 The banks increased interest rates for the third time in two months.
7 They agreed on extra funding for the project.

8 They decided to postpone the race at the last moment.

1 The release of the; prisoners was unexpected. / There was an unexpertea release of prisoners.

ElE1 Rewrite each sentence using a nominalised form at the beginning. Leave out the agent.
1 After scientists identified the HIV virus in the mid-1980s, there were enormous efforts to produce a vaccine.
The identirfication of the HIV virus in the mid-1980s Led, to / resultect in enormous efforts to
product ci vaccine.

2 Johan is obsessed with cars, and this started when he was quite young.

3 The government has expanded the nuclear power programme, but this has been criticised by opposition
politicians.

4 The petrol companies have reduced the price of petrol, which is good news for drivers.

5 The council abolished parking charges in the city centre, and as a result shops have reported increased
business.

6 Parent organisations are demanding healthier food in schools, and this results from growing concerns about
childhood obesity.

7 The train will depart half an hour late because of engine problems.

8 A new college principal has been appointed, and staff may leave as a consequence.

10
 Nominalisation 22
Complete the extracts from newspaper articles using the information in the box. In each sentence,
use a nominalised form.

bsaluable-bee4es-have-disappeared people have responded to its recruitment drive

the English spelling system is complex people are strongly resisting increased taxation
the damage to property is extensive the situation is threatening animal and plant species

1 Detectives were last night questioning a man about the, disappearance of a, number of vaitiabie books
from the National Library over recent months.
g The teaching method we have developed acknowledges ,and
guides children towards a better understanding in carefully controlled stages:
3 The Health Service is hoping to appoint 480 new nurses. Last night the Health Minister said
was 'excellent; with 7,000 applications in two days.
4 Chinese remedies are rooted in 4,000 years of tradition, but growing Western interest in alternative
medicines has increased . Products confiscated by
environmental officers included some using the seedpods of a rare orchid.
5 The extra public spending will need to be paid for and, with borrowing ruled out, that can only mean
putting up taxes. Given , this could undermine the
government's chances of being re-elected.
Residents of the south coast are beginning to return to their homes after the recent severe flooding.
However, means that some will be living in temporary
accommodation for many months.

3.4 Make these conversations more informal where possible, replacing the underlined parts with
appropriate dolgive/havelmakeltake + noun forms.

Have you (1) washed uo yet?

I've (2) started on it. But there's such a lot to do, and you know how much I hate it.
Well, I'm going outside to (3) work in the garden.
(4) Skutt if you need any help.
A: No, thanks. You just concentrate on the washing-up!
1 done the washing-tip 3
2 4
2 k Well, I've (S) decided. I'm going to apply for a job at Raggs.
B: Good for you. 1(6) feel you'd really get on there.
I've (7) arranged to see their head of personnel next Friday.
And how will you tell Terry you're thinking of leaving the company?
A: Well, it won't be easy, but I suppose I'll just have to (8) breathe deeply and (9) explain to him why
I want to go.
5 8
6 9
7

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3 A: Did you (10) talk with Natasha about the holiday?

B: Yes, 1(11) called last night and we (12) chatted about it then.
Az And how did she react when you said we weren't going with her?

B: She just (13) sighed and said 'That's okay: But she was obviously upset.
10 12
11 13
4 Al I'm exhausted. I'm going to (14) shower and (15) rest before we (16) rook.
B: I'm pretty tired, too. I'll (17) look at what's in the freezer, or maybe we could eat out?
14 16
15 17

f5 8