1. A hidden verb is a verb converted into a noun. It often needs an extra verb to make sense. So we write, “Please make an application for a personal loan” rather than “Please apply for a personal loan.” (US SEC “A Plain English Handbook” 1998)
2. Two signals of nominalization
| A. Distinct endings | B. Weak helping verbs |
| - ance - ence - ant - ity - ant - ment - ness - sion - tion | be conduct do effect get give have hold make perform provide put |
3. What Is Nominalization in English Grammar?
In English grammar, nominalization is a type of word formation in which a verb or an adjective (or another part of speech) is used as (or transformed into) a noun. The verb form is nominalize. It is also called nouning.
In transformational grammar, nominalization refers to the derivation of a noun phrase from an underlying clause. In this sense, an “example of nominalization is the destruction of the city, where the noun destruction corresponds to the main verb of a clause and the city to its object.” (Geoffrey Leech, A Glossary of English Grammar, 2006).
4. The Dark Side of Verbs-as-Nouns (New York Times)
It’s not just that nominalization can sap the vitality of one’s speech or prose; it can also eliminate context and mask any sense of agency. Furthermore, it can make something that is nebulous or fuzzy seem stable, mechanical and precisely defined. . . .
Nominalizations give priority to actions rather than to the people responsible for them. Sometimes this is apt, perhaps because we don’t know who is responsible or because responsibility isn’t relevant. But often they conceal power relationships and reduce our sense of what’s truly involved in a transaction. As such, they are an instrument of manipulation, in politics and in business. They emphasize products and results, rather than the processes by which products and results are achieved.
5. Example from US Federal Rules of Evidence (Rule 102. Purpose and Construction)
| Original provision | Plain Language revision |
| These rules shall be construed to secure fairness in administration, elimination of unjustifiable expense and delay, and promotion of growth and development of the law of evidence to the end that the truth may be ascertained and proceedings justly determined. | These rules should be construed so as to administer every proceeding fairly, eliminate unjustifiable expense and delay, and promote the development of evidence law, to the end of ascertaining the truth and securing a just determination. |
6. Examples from US SEC “A Plain English Handbook” 1998
| Text with nominalization | Plain Language revision |
| We made an application … | We applied ... |
| We made a determination … | We determined ... |
| We will make a distribution ... | We will distribute ... |
| We will provide appropriate information to shareholders concerning… | We will inform shareholders about… |
| We will have no stock ownership of the company. | We will not own the company’s stock. |
| There is the possibility of prior Board approval of these investments. | The Board might approve these investments in advance. |
7. Examples from Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission: “How to create clear announcements”
| Text with hidden verbs | Plain Language revision |
| Shareholders will be notified of the commencement of the offer. | Shareholders will be notified when the offer commences. |
| If there is a refusal by the Court to... | If the Court refuses to... |
| The company will make application to the Stock Exchange... | The company will apply to the Stock Exchange... |
| The SFC must grant permission... | The SFC must permit... |
| The director made the statement in reliance upon... | The director relied on... |
| The shareholders have passed a resolution... | The shareholders have resolved... |
| Payment will be made by the purchaser... | The purchaser will pay... |
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