How to Turn Verbs into Nouns

Many verbs in English can easily be transformed into nouns by adding suffixes. In some cases, you can change certain verbs into nouns depending on the context of the sentence. Sometimes, using the noun form of a verb might sound heavy and confusing. Feel free to convert verbs into nouns to keep your writing clear and concise. While changing words may be somewhat tricky, especially if you are not a native speaker, don't be discouraged. With a little time and patience, you will be able to master how to convert verbs into nouns.

Add the suffixes "-ance" or "-ence" to the verb. Many verbs can be turned into nouns by adding the suffixes "-ance" or "-ence." For example, the verb "appear" can be turned into the noun "appearance." The verb "resist" can become "resistance."

• For instance, consider this sentence: "He appeared on many talk shows while promoting his book." If you wanted to convert the verb into a noun, you could write: "He made many talk show appearances while promoting his book."

Adding the "-ment" suffix to verbs. Some verbs require the suffix "-ment" to be transformed into nouns. For example, verbs like "appoint", "assign", and "enjoy" can change into "appointment", "assignment", and "enjoyment".

• For instance, we have the sentence: "The man enjoyed his lunch". If you wish to convert the verb into a noun, you can write: "The man's lunch brought him enjoyment".

Adding the "-tion" or "-sion" suffix. You'll notice that many nouns end with the suffixes "-tion" or "-sion". These suffixes are commonly added to verbs to turn them into nouns. For example, verbs like "inform", "decide", and "describe" become "information", "decision", and "description".

• Consider this example: "He decided to decline the job offer". If you want to use a noun, you could say: "He made the decision to decline the job offer".

Identifying the verb's position. A verb is a word that indicates an action. It describes something being done in the sentence. If you want to edit a sentence to change a verb into a noun, identify where the verb is placed and see if you need to make adjustments twice when transforming it into a noun.

• For example, consider the sentence: "The film impacted the students". The verb here is "impacted".
• In another case, we have: “The athlete prepared to run”. The verb to consider is “run” (although “prepared” is also a verb).

Adding the appropriate article before a noun. Articles like "the" or "a" are typically used before nouns. When transforming a verb into a noun in a sentence, be sure to add an article before the noun.

• If you change the verb "impacted" into a noun, you need to include the article "an" or "the".
• Similarly, when converting the verb “run” into a noun, you would also need to add the article “the” or “a”.

Rewriting the sentence. When adding articles, further adjustments to the sentence are necessary. The verb must also be slightly modified into a noun, and the sentence should be rearranged accordingly.

• For example, the sentence "The film impacted the students" can be rewritten as: "The film had an impact on the students".
• In another case, the sentence “The athlete prepared to run” can become: “The athlete prepared for a run”.

Consult a dictionary to verify the suffix you're using. If English is your second language, choosing the correct suffix when converting verbs can be confusing. Since there are no strict rules regarding which suffix to use, don't hesitate to consult a dictionary after transforming a verb. It won’t hurt to double-check.

Avoid making words sound like jargon. Many people feel that turning a verb into a noun sounds unnatural, as it can seem cumbersome. Terms used in fields like business, computing, or sports can sound like meaningless jargon if you use the noun form instead of the verb.

• For instance, the sentence "The boss conducted an investigation about the allegations" sounds a bit lengthy. It would be clearer to say: "The boss investigated the allegations".
• Similarly, while you might say “The team did a review of the tape,” it sounds clunky. A better way to phrase it would be: “The team reviewed the tape.”

Only use conversions when it aligns with your tone. Switching from a verb to a noun can be effective when you're aiming to reduce emotional intensity and increase objectivity. For example, when dealing with sensitive information, a more technical tone can be helpful. Pay attention to when it's appropriate to convert words and whether it conveys the right tone.

• For instance, consider this sentence: "He retaliated by filing a lawsuit". Since this is a sensitive situation, you may wish to express it more gently. By using the noun form, the sentence becomes: "The lawsuit may have been a form of retaliation".