C1 Advanced Syntax 14 min read Medium

Turning Verbs into Nouns (Nominalisierung)

Mastering nominalization allows you to transition from simple storytelling to sophisticated, high-level academic and professional German communication.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Transform verbs into nouns by capitalizing the infinitive and adding a neuter article to create abstract, formal concepts.

  • Capitalize the infinitive: 'laufen' becomes '{das|n} Laufen'.
  • Add the neuter article: Always use '{das|n}' for nominalized verbs.
  • Use in formal contexts: Ideal for academic writing, reports, and professional communication.
Verb (infinitive) + Capitalization + {das|n} = Noun

Overview

Nominalisierung, the nominalization of verbs and adjectives, is a core feature of advanced German. It’s more than a simple grammatical trick; it represents a profound cognitive shift. Where English might use a clause to describe an action, German often prefers to package that action into a single, dense conceptual noun.

This process allows speakers and writers to treat actions and qualities as objects of thought—static, analyzable, and concrete.

For you as a C1 learner, mastering Nominalisierung is the key to unlocking Nominalstil, the noun-heavy style characteristic of academic, legal, technical, and journalistic German. This style isn't just about sounding formal; it's a tool for achieving abstraction and information density. Instead of focusing on who is doing what (Der Techniker analysiert die Daten), the focus shifts to the action or concept itself (die Analyse der Daten).

Understanding this distinction is crucial for both producing sophisticated German and for comprehending high-level texts, where entire arguments can be built around complex nominal phrases.

This pattern exists because it serves a specific communicative function: it elevates a process to a concept. By transforming a dynamic verb into a static noun, you can discuss, modify, and position that concept within a sentence with greater precision. It’s the grammatical engine that drives formal discourse in the German-speaking world, and mastering it will fundamentally change the way you structure complex thoughts.

How This Grammar Works

At its heart, Nominalisierung is a syntactic transformation that repackages the elements of a clause into a noun phrase. A sentence's subject, verb, and objects are re-assigned new grammatical roles, typically centered around a new noun. This restructuring allows for a more compact expression of ideas, often replacing an entire subordinate clause with a single prepositional phrase.
Consider the basic transformation from a verbal sentence (Verbalstil) to a nominal phrase (Nominalstil). The verb becomes the core noun, and the other sentence elements become its attributes, most commonly in the genitive case or as prepositional phrases. This change fundamentally alters the grammatical relationships in the sentence.
Let’s observe the shift:
  • Verbal: Der Ausschuss genehmigt den(m) Plan sofort.
(The committee approves the plan immediately.)
  • Nominal: Die sofortige Genehmigung des Plans durch den(m) Ausschuss.
(The immediate approval of the plan by the committee.)
Here’s a breakdown of how sentence components typically transform:
| Original Role (in Verbalstil) | New Role (in Nominalstil) | Example Transformation |
|-------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Verb | The Noun | analysieren → die Analyse |
| Subject | Genitive Attribute or durch + Accusative | Der Forscher analysiert... → die Analyse des Forschers / durch den(m) Forscher |
| Accusative Object | Genitive Attribute | ...analysiert die Daten → die Analyse der Daten |
| Dative Object | Prepositional Phrase (e.g., für, an, gegenüber) | ...hilft dem(m) Studenten → die Hilfe für den(m) Studenten |
| Adverb | Adjective before the noun | ...reagiert schnell → die schnelle Reaktion |
| Prepositional Object | Often remains a Prepositional Phrase, attached to the noun | ...denkt über das Problem nach → das Nachdenken über das Problem |
This syntactic re-structuring is the mechanism behind Nominalstil. It shifts the sentence's weight from the verb to the noun, allowing for the creation of incredibly dense and specific conceptual units. For example, die unerwartete Senkung der Zinssätze durch die Zentralbank (the unexpected lowering of the interest rates by the central bank) functions as a single noun phrase that can be the subject or object of another verb.

Formation Pattern

1
Nominalization isn't a single process but a set of distinct patterns. While some are highly productive and can be applied to almost any verb, others are fossilized in specific vocabulary items that must be learned. Recognizing these patterns is key to both using them correctly and identifying them when you read.
2
1. Nominalization of Verbs
3
The Infinitive Pattern: das + Capitalized Infinitive
4
This is the most universal and productive pattern. You can nominalize virtually any verb by capitalizing its infinitive form and adding the neuter article das. The resulting noun refers to the act, process, or activity of the verb in a general, often continuous or abstract sense. It is always neuter.
5
lernen → das Lernen (the act of learning)
6
atmen → das Atmen (the act of breathing)
7
verhandeln → das Verhandeln (the act of negotiating)
8
Example: Das ständige Wiederholen von Vokabeln ist effektiv. (The constant repeating of vocabulary is effective.)
9
Example: Beim das Gehen hörte sie einen Schrei. (While walking, she heard a scream.)
10
The -ung Suffix
11
The -ung suffix is another highly productive way to form nouns from verbs. These nouns are always feminine (die). Unlike the infinitive pattern, -ung nouns often denote a specific instance, a concrete result, or a completed process of the action. This is a crucial distinction.
12
prüfen → die Prüfung (the exam, the specific check)
13
lösen → die Lösung (the solution)
14
entwickeln → die Entwicklung (the development, the outcome)
15
Contrast: das Prüfen is the general act of checking, while die Prüfung is the specific test or examination.
16
Example: Die Entwicklung einer neuen Software dauert Monate. (The development of a new software takes months.)
17
Example: Er wartet auf die Bestätigung seiner Buchung. (He is waiting for the confirmation of his booking.)
18
Stem Change & Zero Suffix
19
Many strong verbs form nouns through a vowel change in the stem (Ablaut) or with no suffix at all. These are often masculine and represent a single, completed instance of the action. These must generally be learned as vocabulary, but the pattern is common.
20
| Verb (infinitive) | Nominalized Form | Gender | Meaning | Example |
21
|-------------------|----------------------|--------|-------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|
22
| beginnen | der Beginn | masc. | the beginning | Der Beginn der Vorstellung ist um 20 Uhr. |
23
| fliegen | der Flug | masc. | the flight | Der Flug nach New York wurde annulliert. |
24
| schießen | der Schuss | masc. | the shot | Man hörte den(m) Schuss in der Ferne. |
25
| gehen | der Gang | masc. | the walk, the gait| Der Gang zum Arzt war unvermeidlich. |
26
| anrufen | der Anruf | masc. | the (phone) call | Ich habe den(m) Anruf verpasst. |
27
| fliehen | die Flucht | fem. | the escape | Die Flucht vor der Verantwortung. |
28
2. Nominalization of Adjectives
29
Adjectives are nominalized to talk about abstract qualities or to refer to people or things characterized by that quality. Their declension follows standard adjective endings.
30
Abstract Qualities: das + Capitalized Adjective
31
To refer to an abstract concept or quality, use the neuter article das and capitalize the adjective. The adjective takes a weak -e ending after the definite article.
32
gut → das Gute (the good)
33
wahr → das Wahre (the true)
34
unbekannt → das Unbekannte (the unknown)
35
Example: Er sucht immer das Besondere im Alltäglichen. (He always looks for the special in the everyday.)
36
Persons or Things
37
When an adjective refers to a person, it becomes a noun that is fully declined according to weak, strong, or mixed patterns. The gender matches the person being described.
38
bekannt → der Bekannte (the male acquaintance), die Bekannte (the female acquaintance)
39
angestellt → der Angestellte (the male employee), die Angestellte (the female employee)
40
deutsch → ein Deutscher (a German man), eine Deutsche (a German woman)
41
Example: Der Verletzte wurde ins Krankenhaus gebracht. (The injured person was brought to the hospital.)
42
Example: Als ein Fremder in der Stadt fühlte er sich verloren. (As a stranger in the city, he felt lost.)

When To Use It

Knowing when to employ Nominalstil is a mark of advanced fluency. It's not always about being formal; it's about choosing the most precise and effective tool for the context. Overuse can sound pretentious and clunky, while underuse can make your expression seem simplistic in situations that call for nuance.
  • Academic, Scientific, and Legal Writing: This is the heartland of Nominalstil. It provides the necessary objectivity and conceptual precision. Use it to present findings, construct arguments, and define terms. Instead of describing what someone did, you analyze the action itself.
Verbalstil: Man muss die Ergebnisse sorgfältig prüfen, bevor man sie veröffentlicht.
Nominalstil: Eine sorgfältige die Prüfung der Ergebnisse vor ihrer(f) Veröffentlichung ist unerlässlich. (A careful review of the results before their publication is essential.)
  • Replacing Subordinate Clauses for Conciseness: This is one of the most powerful applications of nominalization. You can transform various types of clauses into more compact prepositional phrases, making your sentences more direct and fluid.
| Clause Type | Conjunction | Prepositional Phrase Equivalent | Example |
|-------------|-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Temporal | als, während | bei + Dative | Während er aß... → Beim|n das Essen... |
| Temporal | nachdem | nach + Dative | Nachdem er angekommen war... → Nach seiner(f) Ankunft... |
| Causal | weil | wegen / aufgrund + Genitive | Weil die Nachfrage stieg... → Wegen des(m) Anstiegs der Nachfrage... |
| Conditional | wenn | bei + Dative / durch + Accusative | Wenn man diesen Hebel drückt... → Durch das Drücken dieses Hebels... |
| Modal | indem | durch + Accusative | ...indem man die Prozesse optimiert. → ...durch die Optimierung der Prozesse. |
  • Official and Business Communication: In formal emails, reports, and official correspondence, nominalizations convey a professional and serious tone. They are standard in bureaucratic language (Beamtendeutsch).
Example: Bezüglich der Bearbeitung Ihres Antrags... (Regarding the processing of your application...)
Example: Die Einhaltung der Frist ist zwingend erforderlich. (Adherence to the deadline is mandatory.)
  • Headlines, Titles, and Summaries: The density of nominal phrases makes them perfect for contexts where space is limited but impact is crucial.
Headline: Forderung nach Steuersenkungen (Demand for tax cuts)
Title: Einführung in die Sprachwissenschaft (Introduction to Linguistics)

Common Mistakes

Nominalisierung is a minefield of potential errors for even advanced learners. Being aware of these common pitfalls is the first step to avoiding them.
  • 1. Incorrect Preposition Choice: This is a frequent and noticeable error. The preposition required by the nominalized noun is not always intuitive and often depends on the valency of the original verb. This connection must be learned.
| Verb + Preposition | Noun + Preposition | Incorrect Example | Correct Example |
|-------------------------------|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| sich erinnern an + Akk | die Erinnerung an + Akk | die Erinnerung von dem Tag | die Erinnerung an den(m) Tag |
| sich interessieren für + Akk| das Interesse an + Dat | das Interesse für Politik | das Interesse an Politik |
| sich fürchten vor + Dat | die Furcht vor + Dat | die Furcht von Spinnen | die Furcht vor Spinnen |
| antworten auf + Akk | die Antwort auf + Akk | die Antwort zu der Frage | die Antwort auf die Frage |
  • 2. Over-Nominalization ("Nominalitis"): The excessive use of nominalizations creates a dense, bureaucratic, and often unreadable style known as "Nominalitis." Good academic or formal writing balances Nominalstil with clear, active Verbalstil. The goal is precision, not convolution.
Poor Style: Die Durchführung der Messung erfolgt nach der Beendigung der Vorbereitung. (The execution of the measurement occurs after the completion of the preparation.)
Better Style: Die Messung wird durchgeführt, nachdem die Vorbereitung beendet ist. (The measurement is carried out after the preparation is finished.)
Best Style: Nach Abschluss der Vorbereitungen wird gemessen. (After finishing the preparations, the measurement is taken.)
  • 3. Confusion Between Infinitive and -ung Forms: Learners often struggle with the subtle but important semantic difference between das Verb-en and die Verb-ung.
  • Use das + Infinitive for the general process or activity: Das Fahren auf deutschen Autobahnen ist eine Erfahrung. (The act of driving on German highways is an experience.)
  • Use the -ung form for a specific, bounded instance or result: Die Rettung der Geiseln war erfolgreich. (The rescue of the hostages was successful.)
Incorrect
✗ Die|f Fahrt* auf deutschen Autobahnen ist eine Erfahrung. (Grammatically okay, but Das Fahren better captures the general activity).
  • 4. Errors in Genitive Case: When an object becomes a genitive attribute, its declension must be correct. This is a common point of failure, especially with masculine and neuter nouns requiring an -s or -es ending.
✗* die Veröffentlichung der Buch (missing case ending)
✓* die Veröffentlichung des Buches
✗* trotz der Regen (preposition trotz requires genitive)
✓* trotz des Regens

Real Conversations

While its home is in formal writing, elements of Nominalisierung are deeply integrated into everyday German, often in fixed phrases and for the sake of brevity. Recognizing these forms will help you understand native speakers and sound more natural yourself.

- Workplace Communication (Slack/Email): This is a hybrid zone where conciseness is key. Nominalstil is common, but less complex than in academic papers.

- Anbei die Zusammenfassung des Meetings. (Attached is the summary of the meeting.)

- Danke für die schnelle Rückmeldung! (Thanks for the quick response!)

- Zur Information: Das Büro bleibt morgen geschlossen. (For your information: The office will be closed tomorrow.) Often shortened to z.I..

- Public Signage and Announcements: Nominalization provides the directness and brevity needed for public notices.

- Rauchen verboten. (Smoking forbidden) — a nominalization Das Rauchen is implied.

- Betreten der Baustelle auf eigene Gefahr. (Entering the construction site at your own risk.)

- Social Media & Texting: Here, nominalization is used for punchy, hashtag-style communication.

- (Instagram post) Sonntags-Spaziergang am See. (Sunday walk at the lake.) is more common than Ich mache einen Spaziergang...

- (Hashtag) #WartenAufDenSommer (#WaitingForTheSummer)

- (Text) Bin auf dem Weg. Brauche noch 10 min für die Fahrt. (Am on my way. Still need 10 mins for the drive/trip.)

- Everyday Spoken Idioms: Many common expressions are built on nominalizations. You use them without thinking of them as formal grammar.

- Ich habe eine Ahnung. (I have an idea/clue.)

- Das macht das Warten erträglicher. (That makes the waiting more bearable.)

- Vielen Dank für die Einladung. (Many thanks for the invitation.)

A key sociolinguistic point: In casual speech, especially when forming the genitive, native speakers often substitute it with von + Dative. While you should use the genitive in writing (die Entscheidung des Chefs), you will frequently hear die Entscheidung vom Chef. Understanding this code-switching is a C1-level skill.

Quick FAQ

  • Q: When should I choose das + Infinitive versus a noun with a suffix like -ung?

Use das + Infinitive (e.g., das Laufen) for the general, ongoing process or abstract act. Use a suffixed noun (e.g., die Entscheidung) for a specific instance, a defined event, or a concrete result. Das Entscheiden is the abstract process of making choices; die Entscheidung is the choice you made.

  • Q: Are all nouns ending in -ung really feminine?

Yes. This is one of the most reliable gender rules in the German language. If it ends in -ung, it is die. The only (extremely rare) exception you might encounter is der Nibelung, which is a proper name from mythology.

  • Q: Does Nominalisierung always make my German sound more formal?

Not necessarily. Using common nominalizations like das Essen or der Anfang is perfectly neutral. It is the density and complexity of your nominal phrases that determines the formality. Replacing multiple subordinate clauses with long, genitive-heavy nominal phrases is what creates the characteristic formal, academic, or bureaucratic tone. Used in moderation, it simply makes your language more varied and precise.

  • Q: Can any verb or adjective be nominalized?

In theory, yes, especially with the infinitive pattern (das + Verb). This is a highly productive process. However, many other patterns (stem change, suffixes like -t, -schaft) are not productive. You cannot simply invent die Find-ung from finden (it's der Fund). These forms are fixed parts of the lexicon and must be learned as vocabulary. Your linguistic intuition will develop over time to sense which forms are idiomatic.

  • Q: How does Nominalisierung differ from using a dass-clause?

They package information differently. A dass-clause reports a fact or event as a complete mini-sentence with its own subject and verb (Ich weiß, dass er die Prüfung bestanden hat.). The focus is on the content of the clause. A nominalization (das Wissen um sein Bestehen der Prüfung...) takes that entire event and turns it into a single noun concept. This new noun can then become the central topic of your sentence (Dieses Wissen beruhigt mich.). It shifts the focus from the event itself to the concept of the event, allowing you to treat it like any other noun.

Nominalization Formation

Verb (Infinitive) Nominalized Form Gender Example
laufen
{das|n} {Laufen|n}
neuter
{Das|n} {Laufen|n} ist gesund.
lesen
{das|n} {Lesen|n}
neuter
{Das|n} {Lesen|n} bildet.
schlafen
{das|n} {Schlafen|n}
neuter
{Das|n} {Schlafen|n} ist wichtig.
essen
{das|n} {Essen|n}
neuter
{Das|n} {Essen|n} schmeckt.
reisen
{das|n} {Reisen|n}
neuter
{Das|n} {Reisen|n} macht Spaß.
verstehen
{das|n} {Verstehen|n}
neuter
{Das|n} {Verstehen|n} ist der erste Schritt.

Common Contractions

Preposition + Article Contraction Example
bei + dem
beim
Beim {Lernen|n} höre ich Musik.
zu + dem
zum
Zum {Essen|n} gibt es Salat.

Meanings

Nominalization allows you to turn an action (verb) into a concept (noun), which is essential for concise, formal German.

1

General Activity

Describing the act of doing something as a general concept.

“{Das|n} {Essen|n} ist fertig.”

“{Das|n} {Schlafen|n} hilft bei der Erholung.”

2

Abstract Concept

Using the nominalized verb as a subject or object in complex sentences.

“{Das|n} {Verstehen|n} der Grammatik braucht Zeit.”

“Er liebt {das|n} {Reisen|n}.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Turning Verbs into Nouns (Nominalisierung)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
das + Verb(cap)
{Das|n} {Laufen|n} ist gut.
Negative
das + Verb(cap) + nicht
{Das|n} {Laufen|n} ist nicht schwer.
Question
Ist das + Verb(cap)...?
Ist {das|n} {Laufen|n} gesund?
Dative
beim + Verb(cap)
Beim {Lernen|n} bin ich müde.
Genitive
des + Verb(cap)s
Die Freude des {Lernens|n}.
Accusative
das + Verb(cap)
Ich liebe {das|n} {Reisen|n}.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
{Das|n} {Essen|n} ist untersagt.

{Das|n} {Essen|n} ist untersagt. (Signage)

Neutral
{Das|n} {Essen|n} ist verboten.

{Das|n} {Essen|n} ist verboten. (Signage)

Informal
Essen ist hier nicht erlaubt.

Essen ist hier nicht erlaubt. (Signage)

Slang
Essen verboten!

Essen verboten! (Signage)

Nominalization Flow

Verb

Action

  • laufen to run

Noun

  • {das|n} {Laufen|n} running
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Examples by Level

1

{Das|n} {Essen|n} ist gut.

The eating is good.

1

{Das|n} {Schwimmen|n} macht Spaß.

Swimming is fun.

1

{Das|n} {Lernen|n} fällt mir schwer.

Learning is difficult for me.

1

{Das|n} {Reisen|n} erweitert den Horizont.

Traveling broadens the horizon.

1

{Das|n} {Verstehen|n} komplexer Zusammenhänge erfordert Zeit.

Understanding complex connections requires time.

1

{Das|n} {Infragestellen|n} etablierter Normen ist ein Zeichen von Fortschritt.

Questioning established norms is a sign of progress.

Easily Confused

Turning Verbs into Nouns (Nominalisierung) vs Nominalized verbs vs. Nouns

Learners confuse nominalized verbs with nouns derived from verbs.

Turning Verbs into Nouns (Nominalisierung) vs Nominalized verbs vs. Infinitives

Learners use the infinitive as a noun without capitalization.

Turning Verbs into Nouns (Nominalisierung) vs Nominalized verbs vs. Gerunds

English speakers try to use gerunds.

Common Mistakes

✗

die Laufen

✓

{das|n} {Laufen|n}

Nominalized verbs are always neuter.
✗

das laufen

✓

{das|n} {Laufen|n}

Nouns must be capitalized.
✗

der Essen

✓

{das|n} {Essen|n}

Always neuter.
✗

das essen

✓

{das|n} {Essen|n}

Capitalization is mandatory.
✗

beim laufen

✓

beim {Laufen|n}

Capitalization required even in contractions.
✗

das Schwimmen ist gut für die Gesundheit

✓

{Das|n} {Schwimmen|n} ist gut für die Gesundheit.

Always capitalize the first word of a sentence.
✗

die Reisen

✓

{das|n} {Reisen|n}

Always neuter.
✗

das zu lernen

✓

{das|n} {Lernen|n}

Don't use 'zu' with nominalized verbs.
✗

das Lesen von Büchern

✓

{das|n} {Lesen|n} von Büchern

Correct structure.
✗

das verstehen

✓

{das|n} {Verstehen|n}

Capitalization.
✗

das Infragestellen

✓

{das|n} {Infragestellen|n}

Compound verbs are also nominalized.
✗

das Infrage stellen

✓

{das|n} {Infragestellen|n}

Compound nouns are written as one word.
✗

das Verstehen von dem

✓

{das|n} {Verstehen|n} dessen

Use genitive for better style.
✗

das machen

✓

{das|n} {Machen|n}

Capitalization.

Sentence Patterns

{Das|n} ___ ist wichtig.

Beim ___ höre ich Musik.

___ ist meine Leidenschaft.

{Das|n} ___ von ___ ist komplex.

Real World Usage

Academic Essay constant

{Das|n} {Analysieren|n} der Daten war schwierig.

Job Interview very common

{Das|n} {Arbeiten|n} im Team ist meine Stärke.

Social Media occasional

{Das|n} {Reisen|n} ist mein Leben!

Texting occasional

{Das|n} {Warten|n} nervt.

Food Delivery App common

{Das|n} {Bestellen|n} ist einfach.

Travel Blog common

{Das|n} {Entdecken|n} neuer Orte ist toll.

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💡

Keep it simple

Don't nominalize every verb. Use it only when it adds clarity.
⚠️

Check the gender

Always use '{das|n}'. Never use 'der' or 'die'.
🎯

Use in formal writing

It's a great way to sound more professional in essays.
💬

Avoid in casual speech

It can sound too stiff for friends.

Smart Tips

Try to replace it with a nominalized verb for a more formal tone.

Es ist wichtig, dass man lernt. → {Das|n} {Lernen|n} ist wichtig.

Use nominalized verbs to make your text more objective.

Wir haben die Daten analysiert. → {Das|n} {Analysieren|n} der Daten war erfolgreich.

Nominalize to pack more meaning into fewer words.

Wenn man reist, lernt man viel. → {Das|n} {Reisen|n} bildet.

Use nominalized verbs for abstract concepts.

Man muss verstehen, wie es funktioniert. → {Das|n} {Verstehen|n} der Funktionsweise ist essenziell.

Pronunciation

Same as the infinitive verb.

Capitalization

Capitalization does not affect pronunciation.

Declarative

{Das|n} {Laufen|n} ist gesund. ↘

Standard statement.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Capitalize the verb, add 'das', and you've got a noun that's top-class.

Visual Association

Imagine a verb (like a running person) suddenly freezing into a statue with a big 'DAS' sign around its neck.

Rhyme

Verb to noun, don't be a clown, add 'das' and write it down.

Story

Hans wanted to write a formal letter. He took his verbs, put a 'das' in front of them, and capitalized them. Suddenly, his letter sounded like a professor wrote it. He got the job.

Word Web

{das|n} {Laufen|n}{das|n} {Lesen|n}{das|n} {Essen|n}{das|n} {Reisen|n}{das|n} {Schlafen|n}{das|n} {Verstehen|n}

Challenge

Write 5 sentences about your day using at least one nominalized verb in each.

Cultural Notes

Nominalization is highly valued in German bureaucracy and academia.

Similar to Germany, used in formal contexts.

Used in formal Swiss German writing.

Nominalization has existed since Old High German, evolving from the infinitive.

Conversation Starters

“

Was hältst du von {dem|n} {Reisen|n}?

“

Ist {das|n} {Lernen|n} für dich schwierig?

“

Wie wichtig ist {das|n} {Verstehen|n} der Kultur?

“

Was ist beim {Essen|n} wichtig?

Journal Prompts

Schreibe über deine Hobbys.
Diskutiere die Bedeutung von Bildung.
Beschreibe einen Arbeitstag.
Was ist beim Reisen wichtig?

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the nominalized verb.

___ (laufen) ist gesund.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {Das|n} {Laufen|n}
Always capitalize and use neuter.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {Das|n} {Essen|n} schmeckt.
Capitalization and gender.
Correct the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

das lesen ist wichtig.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {Das|n} {Lesen|n} ist wichtig.
Capitalization.
Transform the sentence. Sentence Transformation

Wenn man lernt, wird man klüger. -> ___ macht klüger.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {Das|n} {Lernen|n}
Nominalization.
Is this rule true? True False Rule

Nominalized verbs are always neuter.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
Always neuter.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Was machst du gern? B: ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {Das|n} {Reisen|n}
Nominalization.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

ist / {das|n} {Verstehen|n} / wichtig / .

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Alle sind richtig.
Word order.
Sort the words. Grammar Sorting

Sort: {das|n}, {Laufen|n}, ist, gesund.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Alle sind richtig.
Word order.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the nominalized verb.

___ (laufen) ist gesund.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {Das|n} {Laufen|n}
Always capitalize and use neuter.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {Das|n} {Essen|n} schmeckt.
Capitalization and gender.
Correct the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

das lesen ist wichtig.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {Das|n} {Lesen|n} ist wichtig.
Capitalization.
Transform the sentence. Sentence Transformation

Wenn man lernt, wird man klüger. -> ___ macht klüger.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {Das|n} {Lernen|n}
Nominalization.
Is this rule true? True False Rule

Nominalized verbs are always neuter.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
Always neuter.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Was machst du gern? B: ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {Das|n} {Reisen|n}
Nominalization.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

ist / {das|n} {Verstehen|n} / wichtig / .

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Alle sind richtig.
Word order.
Sort the words. Grammar Sorting

Sort: {das|n}, {Laufen|n}, ist, gesund.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Alle sind richtig.
Word order.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Nominalize the verb 'entscheiden' to complete the formal sentence. Fill in the Blank

Die ___ der Jury wird morgen bekannt gegeben.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Entscheidung
Fix the grammatical error. Error Correction

Nach das Essen gehen wir spazieren.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nach dem Essen gehen wir spazieren.
Put the words in the correct order for a formal headline. Sentence Reorder

der / Die / wird / kritisiert / Umwelt / Zerstörung / .

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Die Zerstörung der Umwelt wird kritisiert.
Translate the nominalized phrase to German. Translation

The development of the app takes time.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Die Entwicklung der App braucht Zeit.
Which suffix is correct for 'organisieren'? Multiple Choice

Die ___ der Veranstaltung war perfekt.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Organisation
Match the verb with its nominalized noun. Match Pairs

Match verbs and nouns:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: warnen : Warnung
Choose the correct preposition and nominalization. Fill in the Blank

___ (While driving) darf man nicht telefonieren.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Beim Autofahren
Fix the plural/case error. Error Correction

Die Verbesserungen des Situationen sind wichtig.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Die Verbesserungen der Situation sind wichtig.
Translate into a nominalized German sentence. Translation

Before leaving, please turn off the light.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vor dem Gehen bitte das Licht ausschalten.
Which noun refers to the person? Multiple Choice

Wer hat das Brot gebacken?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Der Bäcker

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Almost all, yes. Some sound better than others.

It's a grammatical rule for nominalized infinitives.

Yes, it's great for formal emails.

It's used, but less than in writing.

It's a spelling error.

English uses gerunds; German uses nominalized infinitives.

It's standard German, so yes.

Use it to avoid repetitive 'dass' clauses.

Scaffolded Practice

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2

3

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4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Infinitivo como sustantivo

Spanish doesn't capitalize the infinitive.

French moderate

Infinitif substantivé

French doesn't use a neuter article.

Japanese partial

Verb + koto

Japanese uses a particle, not an article.

Arabic moderate

Masdar

Arabic has a complex system of verbal nouns.

Chinese low

Verb + de

Chinese has no grammatical gender.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
German Genitive Compounds & the S-Connector (Fugen-s)

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