Commenting on the nominalised concept

When verbs are nominalised they become concepts rather than actions; therefore, you are able (as the writer) to make some further comment or observation about the concept in the sentence. This directly results in an increase in the amount and the density of information you are able to include in a sentence; for example:

The company decided to expand its asset base.

The verb is nominalised.

The decision to expand the asset base ...

More information commenting upon the newly formed concept can now be added.

The decision to expand the asset base was a significant shift in the company's financial strategy.

Another example is:

Children like Sega games.

More information commenting upon the newly formed concept can now be added.

The popularity of Sega games

More information commenting upon the newly formed concept can now be added.

The popularity of Sega games amongst Japanese children is often seen as a consequence of the lack of personal space available to Japanese people.

This example adapted from Woodward-Kron, R. and Thomson, E. (2000) A text based guide to academic writing at university.