A nominal is a noun. Nominalization is the process of forming nouns from other parts of speech. The other parts of speech from which nouns could be formed are verbs and adjectives.
1. Nominalizing Verbs:
Verbs become nouns in a number of ways.
(a) By taking suffixes such as the following:
| -or/-er | -tion/-ation | -age |
| -ant | -ment | -ice |
| -ee | -al | -ance |
Examples:
endow – endowment
endure – endurance
acquit – acquittal
teach – teacher
create – creator/creation
(b) By Conversion:
(i) Base form
He refused to slap the boy. (verb)
He gave the man a hard slap. (noun)
We welcome all visitors. (verbs)
We give all visitors a warm welcome. (noun)
(ii) Progressive Form
I am writing a letter to Ben. (verb)
Chike’s writing is not legible. (noun)
Rose was weeping over the loss of her money. (verb)
Weeping does not solve any problem. (noun)
(iii) Definite article + past participle.
The unknown is the interest of inventors. (noun phrase)
The unemployed are the concern of the government. (noun phrase)
Evaluation:
Use each of the following words in two sentences – first as a verb and then as a noun. The first one has been done for you as an example.
1. She went to the market to purchase some household items. (verb)
2. She made a purchase of household items (noun)
walk
punch
fight
site
reading
wounded
thought
break
References:
1. New Oxford Secondary English Course for SSS 2 by Ayo Banjo et al.
2. School Certificate English Language by I. Udoka.
3. Intensive English for SSS 2 by B.O. Oluikpe et al.
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