1. Changing verbs or other words to nouns
Nominalisation
Changing verbs or other words to nouns

2. What is Nominalisation?
Nominalisation is the process in which words are changed into nouns
It changes the focus of the text from the action to the object or concept
It can also be used to remove the participants, further focusing the text on the object/concept
Nominalisation is used in academic writing to express the information formally

3. Examples of Nominalisation
Europeans invaded Australia and they destroyed sacred sites.
The European invasion of Australia destroyed sacred sites
Nouns or Noun Groups
Verbs

4. Examples of Nominalisation
Europeans invaded Australia and they destroyed sacred sites.
The European invasion of Australia destroyed sacred sites
Nouns or Noun Groups
Verbs

5. Nominalisation – How to do it?
Look for sentences with active verbs
E.g. Someone did something
Think of a noun to replace the verb (in this example “did”)
Often, the easiest way to find a noun is to add a suffix to the end, eg –ion, -ism, -ment
Invade – Invasion
Another way to work out the noun is to say “ ‘something’ occurred”

6. Examples of Nominalisation
Sydney City Council decided to change the official documents to Invasion. Councillor Phillip Black disagreed and said the council should “moderate using emotional language”

7. Examples of Nominalisation
Sydney City Council decided to change the official documents to Invasion. Councillor Phillip Black disagreed and said the council should “moderate using emotional language”
Sydney City Council’s decision to change the official documents was opposed by Councillor Phillip Black with the advice that the council should “moderate using emotional language”