IELTS HUB
Grammar for IELTS · Lesson 10

Nominalization for Academic Style

Learn to transform verbs and adjectives into nouns to achieve a more formal and objective tone in your IELTS writing.

Band 8+ Advanced Writing 25 min 20 questions
HS

Hardev Singh Sra Author, IELTS expert

Topic introduction

Nominalization is the process of changing verbs or adjectives into nouns. This technique helps create a more formal, abstract, and objective tone suitable for academic writing in IELTS. By focusing on concepts or things rather than direct actions or qualities, it becomes particularly useful for Task 1 descriptions and Task 2 arguments.
Examples
  1. 1
    Task 1: The graph shows that prices increased. ➔ The graph shows an increase in prices.
  2. 2
    Task 2: Many people believe this is important. ➔ The importance of this is widely believed.
  3. 3
    Before: The researchers analyzed the results. ➔ After: The researchers conducted an analysis of the results.
  4. 4
    Task 1: The diagram illustrates how something is produced. ➔ The diagram illustrates the production process.

1 Forming Nouns for Formality

Nouns are often formed by adding suffixes like -tion, -sion, -ment, -ance, -ence, -ity, or -ness to verbs and adjectives. Recognizing these patterns allows for more sophisticated word choices in IELTS essays. This transformation elevates the formality and academic style of your sentences.
Examples
  1. 1
    Verb to Noun (Task 2): Governments should educate citizens. ➔ The education of citizens by governments is crucial.
  2. 2
    Verb to Noun (Task 1): The number fluctuated. ➔ There was a fluctuation in the number.
  3. 3
    Adjective to Noun (Task 2): It is significant that resources are protected. ➔ The significance of resource protection is clear.
  4. 4
    Adjective to Noun (Task 1): The process is complex. ➔ The complexity of the process is evident from the flowchart.

Practice: 4 questions

Answer first, then check.

  1. 1 Which sentence correctly uses nominalization to express the idea 'The economy grew rapidly' in a more formal style?
  2. 2 Select the option that best nominalizes the adjective 'important' to complete the sentence: 'The council discussed the __________ of improving public transport.'
  3. 3 Rewrite the following sentence using the nominalized form of the verb 'decide' to enhance formality: 'The committee decided to approve the project.' Provide only the transformed sentence.
  4. 4 Transform the sentence 'The data is accurate' into a more formal statement using the nominalized form of the adjective 'accurate'. Provide only the transformed sentence.

2 Creating Dense Noun Phrases

Nominalization allows you to construct dense noun phrases, condensing complex ideas effectively for IELTS Writing. These phrases can convey significant information efficiently, especially useful in Task 1 summaries and Task 2 topic sentences. This often involves using prepositions to link the nominalized form to other nouns.
Examples
  1. 1
    Task 1: Oil was consumed more than gas in 2000. ➔ The consumption of oil was greater than that of gas in 2000.
  2. 2
    Task 2: When the government reformed the healthcare system, it benefited the public. ➔ The reform of the healthcare system by the government led to public benefit.
  3. 3
    Task 1: The chart shows how the urban population changed over three decades. ➔ The chart illustrates the changes in urban population over three decades.
  4. 4
    Task 2: Understanding why this global problem occurs is essential for finding solutions. ➔ An understanding of the causes of this global problem is essential for finding solutions.

Practice: 4 questions

Answer first, then check.

  1. 1 Which sentence most effectively uses a dense noun phrase to convey the idea: 'The government implemented new policies, and this aimed to reduce unemployment'?
  2. 2 Choose the best preposition to complete the dense noun phrase: 'The report focused on the assessment __________ the environmental impact.'
  3. 3 Combine these ideas into a single sentence using nominalization to create a dense noun phrase: 'Universities educate students. This prepares them for future careers.' Start your sentence with 'The education...'. Provide only the transformed sentence.
  4. 4 Rewrite the clause 'how the company innovated its products' as a dense noun phrase suitable for an academic report, beginning with 'the innovation'. Provide only the noun phrase.

3 Nominalization for Cohesion

Using nominalization helps create thematic links between sentences and paragraphs, improving cohesion in your IELTS essays. A noun derived from a verb or adjective in a previous sentence can become the subject of the next. This guides the reader smoothly through your arguments or descriptions.
Examples
  1. 1
    The city council decided to invest heavily in public transport. This investment aimed to reduce traffic congestion.
  2. 2
    The temperature rose sharply in July, as shown in the line graph. This sharp rise was unusual for the coastal region.
  3. 3
    Many factors contribute to environmental pollution. The main contribution often comes from industrial emissions and vehicular exhaust.
  4. 4
    The study explored various solutions to urban sprawl. The exploration highlighted several effective urban planning strategies.

Practice: 4 questions

Answer first, then check.

  1. 1 Read the first sentence: 'The research team discovered a new compound.' Which follow-up sentence best uses nominalization for cohesion?
  2. 2 Sentence 1: 'The city council invested significantly in urban regeneration.' Sentence 2: 'This __________ aimed to revitalize deprived areas.' Which nominalized word best completes Sentence 2 for cohesion?
  3. 3 Improve cohesion by rewriting the second sentence using a nominalized form of 'solve' from the first: 'The team worked hard to solve the complex problem. They presented how they solved it at the conference.' Provide only the transformed second sentence, starting with 'Their solution...'.
  4. 4 Given the sentence: 'The government plans to expand renewable energy sources significantly.' Start a new sentence that cohesively follows this, using the nominalization 'expansion' as the subject. Provide only the new cohesive sentence.

4 Impact on Sentence Structure

Nominalization significantly impacts sentence structure, often requiring prepositions like 'of', 'in', 'by', or 'to' to connect ideas. Using nominalization effectively can demonstrate grammatical range in IELTS writing, but ensure clarity is maintained. Verbs may be replaced by common academic verbs such as 'show', 'indicate', 'result in', or 'lead to' when nominalized forms become central to the sentence.
Examples
  1. 1
    Task 1: The graph shows sales increased steadily. ➔ The graph shows a steady increase in sales.
  2. 2
    Task 2: The new policy affected citizens positively. ➔ The new policy had a positive effect on citizens.
  3. 3
    Task 1: The diagram illustrates how glass is recycled. ➔ The diagram illustrates the process of glass recycling.
  4. 4
    Task 2: Society needs to address this issue urgently. ➔ There is an urgent societal need for addressing this issue.
  5. 5
    Task 1: The data indicates a decline in traditional manufacturing jobs. This decline is attributed to automation and global competition.

Practice: 4 questions

Answer first, then check.

  1. 1 Which sentence correctly uses a preposition with the nominalized form 'reliance'?: 'Their __________ on fossil fuels needs to be reduced.'
  2. 2 Which sentence correctly restructures 'The company grew quickly' using nominalization and an appropriate academic verb?
  3. 3 Rewrite the sentence 'The team analyzed the data thoroughly' using the nominalized form of 'analyze' and the academic verb 'conducted'. Provide only the transformed sentence.
  4. 4 Transform the sentence 'The project succeeded due to careful planning' to use 'success' as the subject, incorporating a necessary preposition and the verb 'was attributed to'. Provide only the transformed sentence.

5 Avoiding Overuse and Awkwardness

While beneficial for achieving a formal tone in IELTS, overusing nominalization can make sentences dense and unclear. Strive for a balance between nominalized forms and active verbs to maintain readability and precision. Ensure your meaning is enhanced, not obscured by excessive noun phrases.
Examples
  1. 1
    Awkward (Task 2): The provision of education by the government requires the allocation of sufficient funds. ➔ Clearer: The government must allocate sufficient funds to provide education.
  2. 2
    Awkward (Task 1): The chart's demonstration is of the fluctuation of the figures over the year. ➔ Clearer: The chart demonstrates how the figures fluctuated over the year.
  3. 3
    Awkward (Task 2): The achievement of a viable solution to climate change necessitates the collaboration of all nations. ➔ Clearer: All nations must collaborate to achieve a viable solution to climate change.
  4. 4
    Awkward (Task 1): The representation in the diagram is of the transformation of raw materials into finished products. ➔ Clearer: The diagram represents how raw materials are transformed into finished products.

Practice: 4 questions

Answer first, then check.

  1. 1 Which sentence is clearer and less awkward?
  2. 2 Which of the following sentences demonstrates an awkward overuse of nominalization that could be simplified for clarity?
  3. 3 Rewrite the following awkward sentence to make it clearer and more direct by reducing nominalization: 'The utilization of advanced methodologies by the researchers led to the facilitation of data interpretation.' Provide only the transformed sentence.
  4. 4 Simplify this sentence by converting nominalized forms back to verbs or more direct phrases to improve readability: 'The city's implementation of traffic calming measures brought about a reduction in accident frequency.' Provide only the transformed sentence.

6 Strategic Use of Nominalization in IELTS Writing Tasks

Nominalization is highly valuable for achieving a high band score in IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2. It helps create an objective tone for describing data or processes (Task 1) and builds sophisticated arguments (Task 2). Effective use demonstrates strong grammatical range and lexical resource; however, always prioritize clarity and avoid forcing nominalization unnaturally.
Examples
  1. 1
    Task 1 (Without): The line graph illustrates that urban population increased significantly from 1990 to 2010.
    Task 1 (With): The line graph illustrates a significant increase in urban population from 1990 to 2010.
  2. 2
    Task 1 (Without): Coal was consumed less gradually, while renewables were consumed more.
    Task 1 (With): There was a gradual decline in the consumption of coal, contrasting with a rise for renewables.
  3. 3
    Task 1 (Without): Electronic goods were produced more steadily, while textiles were manufactured marginally less.
    Task 1 (With): The production of electronic goods saw a steady rise, while textile manufacturing showed a marginal fall.
  4. 4
    Task 1 (Without): When we compare the figures for car ownership, it's clear people prefer smaller vehicles in urban areas.
    Task 1 (With): A comparison of the figures for car ownership reveals a clear preference for smaller vehicles in urban areas.
  5. 5
    Task 2 (Without): As trade has become globalized, it has led to the economy growing and competition increasing.
    Task 2 (With): The globalization of trade has led to both economic growth and increased competition.
  6. 6
    Task 2 (Without): If we invest more in public transport, it is essential to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
    Task 2 (With): Greater investment in public transport is essential for the reduction of traffic congestion and air pollution.
  7. 7
    Task 2 (Without): Higher education primarily aims to develop critical thinking skills, which leads to more innovation.
    Task 2 (With): The development of critical thinking skills is a primary objective of higher education, leading to greater innovation.
  8. 8
    Task 2 (Without): We must thoroughly examine why youth are unemployed before we can formulate effective policies.
    Task 2 (With): A thorough examination of the causes of youth unemployment is necessary before the formulation of effective policies.
  9. 9
    Task 2 (Without): When governments implement stricter environmental regulations, industrial sectors often oppose this because they are concerned about costs.
    Task 2 (With): The implementation of stricter environmental regulations often faces opposition from industrial sectors concerned about costs.
  10. 10
    Task 2 (Without): The public is becoming more aware that sustainable practices are important to preserve biodiversity.
    Task 2 (With): There is a growing public awareness concerning the importance of sustainable practices for the preservation of biodiversity.

Lesson summary

The 7 points to remember from this lesson.

  1. 1
    Nominalization converts verbs/adjectives to nouns for a formal, objective tone in academic writing.
    Example: Original: The data fluctuated. ➔ Nominalized: There was a fluctuation in the data.
  2. 2
    Common suffixes like -tion, -ment, -ity, and -ness are used to form nouns from verbs and adjectives.
    Example: Verb: Decide ➔ Noun: Decision; Adjective: Able ➔ Noun: Ability.
  3. 3
    Nominalization helps create dense noun phrases to convey complex information concisely.
    Example: Instead of: The company implemented a new strategy which improved sales. ➔ Consider: The implementation of the new strategy led to sales improvement.
  4. 4
    Use nominalization to improve cohesion by linking ideas across sentences and paragraphs.
    Example: The government reformed the policy. This reform was widely debated.
  5. 5
    Nominalized sentences often use prepositions (of, in, by, to) and academic verbs (show, lead to).
    Example: A steady increase in demand was observed.
  6. 6
    Avoid overusing nominalization, as it can make writing dense and unclear; balance with active verbs.
    Example: Overuse: The investigation of the problem resulted in its solution. ➔ Clearer: Investigating the problem solved it.
  7. 7
    Strategically apply nominalization in IELTS Task 1 for objective descriptions and Task 2 for sophisticated arguments.
    Example: Task 1: The graph shows a decrease. Task 2: The development of renewable energy is crucial.

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