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English grammar

Turning a verb into a noun

B2 · Upper intermediate Nouns and describing Questions 10

The rule

Formal English packs actions into nouns. They decided to close the unit becomes the decision to close the unit, which can then be the subject of another sentence: The decision to close the unit was taken without consultation. This is how reports compress several events into one sentence, and it is also how they hide the agent. At B2 you need to read it and to write a moderate amount of it — a paragraph made entirely of nominalisations is unreadable, which is a style fault worth knowing about from both sides.

Pattern

decide → the decision · fail → the failure · arrive → the arrival · refuse → the refusal · the + noun + of / to / in

Examples

  1. The failure to report the fault in March is the central issue.

  2. Their refusal to put anything in writing is telling.

  3. The introduction of the charge caused most of the complaints.

  4. There has been a marked improvement in response times.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: The decide to close the unit was wrong.

    Right: The decision to close the unit was wrong.

    The noun form is decision, not the verb.

  • Wrong: The failure of report the fault was the issue.

    Right: The failure to report the fault was the issue.

    failure takes to plus the infinitive.

  • Wrong: There was an improve in the figures.

    Right: There was an improvement in the figures.

    The noun of improve is improvement.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    1. The refuse of the agency to reply is documented.
    2. The refusal of the agency to reply is documented.
    3. The refusing the agency to reply is documented.
    4. The refusal of the agency replying is documented.
    Show answer

    Answer: B The refusal of the agency to reply is documented.

    refusal is the noun; to reply follows it.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. The introduction of the new rule caused confusion.
    2. The introducing of new rule caused confusion.
    3. The introduction the new rule caused confusion.
    4. The introduce of the new rule caused confusion.
    Show answer

    Answer: A The introduction of the new rule caused confusion.

    introduction of is the standard pairing.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    1. There has been sharp rise in complaints.
    2. There has been a sharp raise in complaints.
    3. There has been a sharp rise in complaints.
    4. There has been a sharp rise of complaints.
    Show answer

    Answer: C There has been a sharp rise in complaints.

    a rise in for figures.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    The _____ to act sooner has cost the council money.

    1. failure
    2. failed
    3. failing to
    4. fail
    Show answer

    Answer: A The failure to act sooner has cost the council money.

    failure to is the noun pattern.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    The _____ of the survey delayed the sale by a month.

    1. absently
    2. absented
    3. absence
    4. absent
    Show answer

    Answer: C The absence of the survey delayed the sale by a month.

    the absence of is the noun.

  6. 6Fill in the gap.

    Their _____ that the fee was annual is not in the letter.

    1. claimed
    2. claim
    3. claims to
    4. claiming to
    Show answer

    Answer: B Their claim that the fee was annual is not in the letter.

    the claim that heads a clause.

  7. 7Fill in the gap.

    The _____ in waiting times has been measured, not assumed.

    1. reducing of
    2. reduction
    3. reduce
    4. reduced
    Show answer

    Answer: B The reduction in waiting times has been measured, not assumed.

    a reduction in for a measured fall.

  8. 8Fill in the gap.

    There was no _____ with the residents before the work began.

    1. consult
    2. consultation
    3. consulted
    4. consulting of
    Show answer

    Answer: B There was no consultation with the residents before the work began.

    consultation with is the noun pattern.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. The arrive of the inspector changed everything.
    2. When the inspector arrived, everything changed.
    3. The arrival of the inspector changed everything.
    4. The inspector’s arrival changed everything.
    Show answer

    Answer: A The arrive of the inspector changed everything.

    The noun is arrival.

  10. 10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. Their refuse to sign delayed the sale.
    2. Their refusing to sign delayed the sale.
    3. The fact that they refused to sign delayed the sale.
    4. Their refusal to sign delayed the sale.
    Show answer

    Answer: A Their refuse to sign delayed the sale.

    refuse is a verb; the noun is refusal.

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