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B2Word classes

Nominalization

Nominalization means turning verbs or adjectives into nouns.

Take a look

Die Entwicklung der Stadt ist beeindruckend.

The development of the city is impressive.

Take a look

  • Die Entwicklung der Stadt ist beeindruckend.The development of the city is impressive.
  • Das Lesen ist mein Hobby.Reading is my hobby.
  • Die Schönheit der Natur begeistert mich.The beauty of nature delights me.
  • Zur Verbesserung der Situation sind Maßnahmen nötig.Measures are needed to improve the situation.

The rule

Nominalization means turning verbs or adjectives into nouns. This is typical of formal and academic texts. Verbs are often turned into nouns with suffixes like '-ung', '-tion', '-heit', '-keit', or through infinitive nominalization (das Lesen). Nominalization makes texts more compact, but also more abstract. Verb → noun with '-ung': entwickeln → die Entwicklung, verbessern → die Verbesserung (always feminine). Adjective → noun with '-heit'/'-keit': schön → die Schönheit, möglich → die Möglichkeit (always feminine). Infinitive as a noun: lesen → das Lesen, arbeiten → das Arbeiten (always neuter). International suffixes: '-tion' (die Information), '-ment' (das Experiment), '-ismus' (der Realismus). Nominalizations make sentences more compact: 'Weil er angekommen ist...' → 'Nach seiner Ankunft...'

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The forms

From verb to noun

Verb / AdjektivNomenBeispiel
lesendas LesenDas Lesen macht mir Spaß.
entscheidendie EntscheidungDie Entscheidung fällt morgen.
ankommendie AnkunftNach der Ankunft rufe ich an.
möglichdie MöglichkeitEs gibt keine andere Möglichkeit.
freidie Freiheitdie Freiheit der Presse

Quick check

B2
  1. Nominalize the verb.entscheiden → die ___
  2. Choose the correct nominalization.frei → die ___
  3. Nominalize the sentence.Er kam an. → Nach seiner ___ ...
  4. Correct the mistake.Die Möglichheit besteht noch.
  5. Which article?___ Wandern macht Spaß. (infinitive as noun)
  6. Nominalize the adjective.dunkel → die ___

The answers appear after “Check”.

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Word classes

A1Der, die, das and ein, eineWhy do different words appear before nouns?A1Nouns, verbs and adjectivesWhat do “Suppe”, “spiele” and “groß” tell you?A1Plural nounsWhat changes in “Brüder” and “Kinder”?A1Personal pronounsPersonal pronouns replace nouns and indicate the person.A2Adjective endingsWhy “einen roten Mantel” but “eine freundliche Person”?A2Groß, größer, am größtenWhat does “am liebsten” mean compared with “gern”?
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