Casa ESL · C1 Advanced · Unit 1 of 20 · Step 1
Advanced Noun Phrases and Nominalisation
Name
Date
Vocabulary
nominalisation
nounThe process of converting verbs or adjectives into noun forms to create a more formal, abstract style.
"Nominalisation is a hallmark of academic writing across disciplines."
discourse
nounWritten or spoken communication on a particular topic, especially in a formal or academic context.
"Academic discourse requires precision and objectivity."
substantiate
verbTo provide evidence or proof to support a claim or argument.
"The researcher was unable to substantiate her hypothesis with empirical data."
paradigm
nounA typical example, model, or framework of ideas within a particular field.
"The discovery prompted a paradigm shift in cognitive science."
disseminate
verbTo spread information, knowledge, or ideas widely.
"Universities disseminate research through peer-reviewed journals."
empirical
adjectiveBased on observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.
"Empirical evidence is essential for validating scientific claims."
elucidate
verbTo make something clear; to explain in detail.
"The professor elucidated the complex theory with a series of examples."
underpinning
nounA set of ideas or facts that provide the foundation for something.
"The theoretical underpinnings of the study were well-established."
Grammar Focus
Advanced noun phrases and nominalisation
Nominalisation transforms verbs and adjectives into noun forms, making writing more impersonal and formal. For example, 'investigate' becomes 'investigation', 'fail' becomes 'failure', 'important' becomes 'importance'. Complex noun phrases use pre-modifiers (adjectives, nouns) and post-modifiers (prepositional phrases, relative clauses, participle clauses) to pack information densely: 'The recently published peer-reviewed analysis of long-term environmental data'.
The government decided to intervene. → The government's decision to intervene…
Researchers discovered that the compound was toxic. → The discovery of the compound's toxicity…
The widely acknowledged failure of the initial policy response led to a comprehensive review.
The systematic acquisition of empirical data over a prolonged period remains essential.
Exercises
Exercise 1
Rewrite the underlined verb or adjective as a nominalisation to complete each sentence.
1. The team (discover) of the new species was published in Nature.
2. The (acquire) of language skills in early childhood is well documented.
3. There has been a significant (improve) in air quality since the regulations.
4. The (assume) that all participants were fluent proved incorrect.
5. Economic (stable) is a prerequisite for long-term investment.
Exercise 2
Select the most formal, nominalised version of each sentence.
1. The committee investigated the incident thoroughly.
2. People consume more energy than they need to.
3. The government failed to respond quickly enough.
Reading
The Language of the Academy
Academic discourse is characterised by a level of formality and precision that distinguishes it from everyday communication. One of the most significant features of this register is the extensive use of nominalisation — the transformation of processes and qualities into noun forms. This linguistic device serves several purposes. First, it enables writers to package complex ideas into dense, information-rich phrases that can then function as subjects or objects of further statements. Second, nominalisation removes the need to specify agents, lending writing an impersonal, objective tone. For instance, rather than writing 'researchers investigated the problem', an academic text might state 'the investigation of the problem revealed significant anomalies'. Critics of this convention argue that excessive nominalisation can render texts impenetrable, particularly for non-specialist readers. Nevertheless, the capacity to manipulate noun phrases remains an indispensable skill for anyone seeking to participate in scholarly communication. The acquisition of this skill typically requires sustained engagement with academic texts across multiple disciplines, combined with deliberate practice in transforming one's own writing.
1. According to the passage, what are the two main purposes of nominalisation in academic writing?
2. What criticism of nominalisation does the passage mention?
Speaking
Discuss these questions with a partner or your teacher.
Writing
Rewrite the following informal paragraph in academic style, using at least four nominalisations: 'Scientists found out that when people exercise regularly, they sleep better. They also noticed that people who don't move much often feel anxious. The government should do something about this.'
Example: The investigation into the relationship between regular physical activity and sleep quality has yielded significant findings. Researchers have documented a clear correlation between sedentary behaviour and the prevalence of anxiety. These observations highlight the necessity for governmental intervention in the promotion of active lifestyles.
Answer Key — For Teacher Use
Exercise 1
1. discovery · 2. acquisition · 3. improvement · 4. assumption · 5. stability
Exercise 2
1. The committee's thorough investigation of the incident… · 2. The excessive consumption of energy relative to actual requirements… · 3. The government's failure to respond with sufficient speed…
Reading Comprehension
1. Nominalisation enables writers to package complex ideas into dense, information-rich phrases, and it removes the need to specify agents, creating an impersonal, objective tone. · 2. Critics argue that excessive nominalisation can render texts impenetrable, particularly for non-specialist readers.