Nominalisation (C2) — English exercises with answers

Turning verbs and adjectives into nouns to produce a formal, dense, analytical style

Correct answers are marked. Add the set to your exercises to open it in the editor, where you can adjust tasks, play them on screen or add them to a lesson.

1
Multiple choice
Choose the nominalised version of: 'Because the company expanded rapidly, it needed more staff.'
The company's rapid expansion created a need for more staff.The company expanded rapidly, so it needed more staff.Expanding rapidly, the company needed more staff.Expanded → expansion, needed → need: the ideas become nouns, which is typical of formal writing.
2
Multiple choice
Which noun corresponds to the verb 'fail'?
failurefailingfailmentfailnessThe noun form of fail is failure.
3
Multiple choice
Choose the best formal version: 'People are worried that prices will go up.'
There is growing concern over a possible rise in prices.People are getting worried about prices going up.Worry about going-up prices is there.Worried → concern, go up → rise: nominalisation creates a compact, impersonal statement.
4
Multiple choice
What is one common drawback of heavy nominalisation?
It can make a text abstract and hard to follow.It always makes a text less formal.It is grammatically incorrect.Too many nouns can hide who did what and make writing dense. Good writers balance it with clear verbs.
5
Fill the gap
The of the new law has led to a sharp fall in accidents. (introduce)
Answer: introductionintroduce → introduction.
6
Fill the gap
There has been a significant in unemployment over the past year. (reduce)
Answer: reductionreduce → reduction.
7
Fill the gap
The of the data took several months. (analyse)
Answer: analysisanalyse → analysis.
8
Fill the gap
The minister's came as a surprise to everyone. (resign)
Answer: resignationresign → resignation.
9
Fill the gap
The report highlights the of the region's infrastructure. (inadequate)
Answer: inadequacyAdjectives can be nominalised too: inadequate → inadequacy.
10
True / false
'The failure of the negotiations' is a nominalised form of 'The negotiations failed'.
Answer: TrueThe verb failed becomes the noun failure, and the subject becomes 'of the negotiations'.
11
True / false
Nominalisation is more typical of casual conversation than of academic writing.
Answer: FalseIt is characteristic of academic, legal and official writing; conversation relies on verbs.
12
Discussion question
Rewrite in a formal, nominalised style: 'The government decided to raise taxes, and because of this, people spent less and the economy grew more slowly.'
Sample answer: The government's decision to raise taxes resulted in a reduction in consumer spending and a slowdown in economic growth.

Turning verbs and adjectives into nouns to produce a formal, dense, analytical style

Correct answers are marked. Add the set to your exercises to open it in the editor, where you can adjust tasks, play them on screen or add them to a lesson.

1
Multiple choice
Choose the nominalised version of: 'Because the company expanded rapidly, it needed more staff.'
The company's rapid expansion created a need for more staff.The company expanded rapidly, so it needed more staff.Expanding rapidly, the company needed more staff.Expanded → expansion, needed → need: the ideas become nouns, which is typical of formal writing.
2
Multiple choice
Which noun corresponds to the verb 'fail'?
failurefailingfailmentfailnessThe noun form of fail is failure.
3
Multiple choice
Choose the best formal version: 'People are worried that prices will go up.'
There is growing concern over a possible rise in prices.People are getting worried about prices going up.Worry about going-up prices is there.Worried → concern, go up → rise: nominalisation creates a compact, impersonal statement.
4
Multiple choice
What is one common drawback of heavy nominalisation?
It can make a text abstract and hard to follow.It always makes a text less formal.It is grammatically incorrect.Too many nouns can hide who did what and make writing dense. Good writers balance it with clear verbs.
5
Fill the gap
The of the new law has led to a sharp fall in accidents. (introduce)
Answer: introductionintroduce → introduction.
6
Fill the gap
There has been a significant in unemployment over the past year. (reduce)
Answer: reductionreduce → reduction.
7
Fill the gap
The of the data took several months. (analyse)
Answer: analysisanalyse → analysis.
8
Fill the gap
The minister's came as a surprise to everyone. (resign)
Answer: resignationresign → resignation.
9
Fill the gap
The report highlights the of the region's infrastructure. (inadequate)
Answer: inadequacyAdjectives can be nominalised too: inadequate → inadequacy.
10
True / false
'The failure of the negotiations' is a nominalised form of 'The negotiations failed'.
Answer: TrueThe verb failed becomes the noun failure, and the subject becomes 'of the negotiations'.
11
True / false
Nominalisation is more typical of casual conversation than of academic writing.
Answer: FalseIt is characteristic of academic, legal and official writing; conversation relies on verbs.
12
Discussion question
Rewrite in a formal, nominalised style: 'The government decided to raise taxes, and because of this, people spent less and the economy grew more slowly.'
Sample answer: The government's decision to raise taxes resulted in a reduction in consumer spending and a slowdown in economic growth.