What does nominalization mean?
A nominalization is a noun formed from an adjective, verb, or another word, or the process of forming that noun. Typical examples include “decision” from “decide,” “happiness” from “happy,” and “the arrival of the train” from “the train arriving.” Nominalizations are grammatically ordinary and can make writing concise, but they are sometimes overused. Abstract expressions such as “the making of a decision” or “the giving of advice” can sound less direct than “decide” or “advise.” For this reason, style guides often advise writers to prefer strong verbs and to distinguish genuine nouns from unnecessary nominalizations. The term is especially useful in grammar, linguistics, and editing. British English commonly uses the spelling “nominalisation,” whereas American English generally writes “nominalization.”
nounThe conversion of an adjective, verb, or other part of speech into a noun, or the noun resulting from this process. In linguistics, it may also refer specifically to a noun formed this way.
- The conversion of an adjective, verb, or other part of speech into a noun, or the noun produced by that conversion.
- In linguistics, a noun formed by this conversion, especially one ending in a suffix such as -tion, -ment, or -ness.
"The editor rewrote the sentence to avoid an unnecessary nominalization."
"The sentence’s excessive nominalization made the argument harder to follow."
"Many abstract nouns in academic writing are nominalizations of common verbs."
The standard plural adds -s to the end of the word.
"The guide recommends removing unnecessary nominalizations from formal writing."
Nominalization is where an action or quality puts on a noun’s clothes: “the decision was made” can conceal the verb “decide.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of nominalization
The word ultimately comes from Latin nominalis, meaning “of or relating to a name,” which developed through the associated stem nomini- (“name”). In English, “nominalization” developed in the modern period as a grammatical term modeled on the family of words including “nominal,” “nominate,” and “nomination.” The word combines the Latin-derived element “nominal-” with the grammatical suffix “-ization,” indicating the process of turning a word into a noun.
Related word forms
How nominalization is actually used
The term is especially common in grammar, linguistics, and style guides. In general writing, nominalization often makes prose more formal and impersonal; style guides frequently recommend using a verb instead where it improves clarity. British English commonly spells the word “nominalisation,” while American English usually uses “nominalization.”
Easily confused with nominalization
A nominalization is a grammatical process or the noun it produces, whereas nominalism is a philosophical doctrine concerning names and their relation to objects.
A nomination is an act of proposing someone for a position or honor, while a nominalization is a noun formed from another part of speech.