How to nominalise

There are two main steps you need to take when you nominalise:

1. identify the active verb in the clause
2. change the verb into the noun form.

Look at this example:

The building was constructed according to principles of environmental sustainability.

1. Identify the active verb in the clause

The building was constructed using principles of environmental sustainability.

2. Change the verb into the noun form

verb: constructed

nominalisation

noun: construction

The construction of the building used principles of environmental sustainability.

Sometimes, the noun form of the verb will not be appropriate. If this occurs, replace it with a synonym; for example:

Many modern artists employ computers in their work.

verb: employ

noun: employment

This noun is not appropriate for the sentence. A suitable synonym is 'use':

The modern artists' use of computers in their work..........