Clarity & Style

Avoid Nominalization

Prefer strong verbs over abstract noun forms.

Last updated

What & why

What it is
Nominalization turns a verb or adjective into an abstract noun, then leans on a weak verb to carry it: 'make an examination of' for 'examine,' 'reach a conclusion' for 'conclude,' 'give consideration to' for 'consider.' The action gets buried inside a noun and often loses the person performing it. Avoiding nominalization means restoring the strong verb, which shortens the sentence, names who does what, and replaces stiff, official-sounding phrasing with plain, direct language.
Why it works

Strong verbs make a sentence concrete by naming an action and, usually, the person taking it, which the mind processes faster than an abstract noun. Nominalizations hide the doer and the deed, so listeners burn extra effort reconstructing who did what. That added load reads as vague or evasive and can quietly lower trust. Direct verbs also carry momentum and rhythm, so the message feels more active and confident, and the audience retains it more easily.

Before & after

Before

“We made an improvement to the system.”

After

“We improved the system.”

When you’ll use it

Simplifying corporate communications for broader understanding

Making technical reports more accessible to general audiences

Creating clearer instructions and procedures

Improving customer-facing communications and documentation

Pro tip

Turn -tion words back into verbs where possible.

Questions & answers

What is nominalization avoidance in business writing?

Nominalization avoidance means using verbs instead of converting them into nouns, creating more direct, active language. Say 'decide' instead of 'make a decision,' or 'analyze' instead of 'conduct an analysis.'

How does avoiding nominalization improve my presentations?

Using verbs instead of nominalizations creates more direct, active, and engaging language. It reduces word count, improves clarity, and makes your communication more dynamic and easier to follow for audiences.

What are common nominalizations I should avoid in business communication?

Replace 'make a recommendation' with 'recommend,' 'reach a conclusion' with 'conclude,' 'conduct an evaluation' with 'evaluate,' and 'provide assistance' with 'help.' Choose the verb form when possible for clearer, more direct communication.

Learn more

Purdue OWL - Improving Sentence Clarity (Avoid overusing noun forms of verbs)
Purdue OWL - Sentence Clarity: Nominalizations and Subject Position
University of Nevada, Reno Writing & Speaking Center - Guidelines for Clarity & Concision

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