B2 Sentence Structure 14 min read Medium

French Nominalization: Turning Verbs into Nouns (-tion, -ment)

Master nominalization to transform simple actions into sophisticated concepts and sound more like a native French speaker.
Mark as Learned
Practice it

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Transform verbs into nouns by adding suffixes like -tion or -ment to create more formal and precise sentences.

  • Add -tion to verbs ending in -er to form feminine nouns: 'informer' -> 'une information'.
  • Add -ment to verbs ending in -er to form masculine nouns: 'développer' -> 'le développement'.
  • Use these nouns to replace clunky verb phrases for a more professional, academic tone.
Verb + Suffix (-tion/-ment) = Noun (Le/La)

Overview

Nominalization, or la nominalisation in French, is the grammatical process of converting a verb or an adjective into a noun. At the B2 level, mastering this technique is essential for moving beyond simple sentence structures and developing a more sophisticated, concise, and professional style. It's the difference between saying Le gouvernement a décidé de réduire les impôts (The government has decided to reduce taxes) and the more formal, headline-style phrase La décision du gouvernement de réduire les impôts.

This transformation allows you to package a whole action or idea into a single noun, which can then act as the subject or object of a sentence.

This process is not merely a stylistic flourish; it is fundamental to the structure of formal French. You'll encounter it constantly in news articles, academic papers, professional emails, and official announcements. By turning a verb like augmenter (to increase) into l'augmentation (the increase), or changer (to change) into le changement (the change), you can discuss actions as abstract concepts.

This shift is crucial for summarizing information, structuring complex arguments, and achieving the formal, analytical tone expected in many professional and academic settings. The two most common and productive suffixes you'll use for this are -tion and -ment.

How This Grammar Works

The core principle of nominalization is conceptual. It takes a dynamic process (an action expressed by a verb) and transforms it into a static concept (an idea expressed by a noun). This new noun encapsulates the entire action, allowing it to be named, analyzed, and discussed.
For example, the action of construire un pont (building a bridge) becomes the concept of la construction du pont (the construction of the bridge). Once nominalized, this concept can become the subject of a new sentence: La construction du pont a duré deux ans. (The construction of the bridge took two years).
When a verb becomes a noun, it acquires a grammatical gender, something the verb itself lacks. This is a critical aspect of the transformation. The choice of suffix often determines whether the new noun is masculine (le) or feminine (la).
For instance, suffixes like -tion, -ance, and -ure almost always create feminine nouns, such as la production, la tolérance, and l'ouverture. Conversely, suffixes like -ment, -age, and -isme typically produce masculine nouns, like le changement, le nettoyage, and le socialisme.
This process fundamentally changes how you can structure your thoughts. Instead of being limited to describing an action as it happens, you can treat that action as an entity. You can then comment on it, question it, or connect it to other ideas with much greater flexibility.
Consider the verb manifester (to demonstrate). As a verb, it describes what people are doing: Des milliers de personnes manifestent. (Thousands of people are demonstrating). Nominalized as la manifestation, it becomes a distinct event that can be analyzed: La manifestation a provoqué des blocages. (The demonstration caused blockages).

Word Order Rules

When you transform a sentence using nominalization, its components are rearranged according to a predictable pattern. The original subject, object, and adverbs all find new roles in the resulting noun phrase. Understanding this syntax shift is key to using nominalization correctly.
The subject of the original verb is often linked to the new noun using the preposition de or a possessive adjective (mon, son, leur, etc.). The direct object of the verb also follows the new noun, introduced by de. Adverbs of manner are converted into adjectives that must agree in gender and number with the new noun.
This is one of the most common areas for error, so pay close attention to agreement.
Here is a table summarizing the structural changes:
| Original Sentence Element | Becomes in Nominalized Phrase | Example | Transformed Phrase |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Subject (Person/Thing) | de + Noun | Le directeur a démissionné. | la démission du directeur |
| Subject (Pronoun) | Possessive Adjective | Il est arrivé. | son arrivée |
| Direct Object (COD) | de + Noun | On produit des voitures. | la production de voitures |
| Indirect Object (COI) | Preposition + Noun | Il obéit à la loi. | l'obéissance à la loi |
| Adverb of Manner | Adjective (agrees in gender/number) | L'économie croît rapidement. | la croissance rapide de l'économie |
For instance, take the sentence: Le scientifique analyse attentivement les données. (The scientist carefully analyzes the data). To nominalize this, you identify the core action (analyser -> l'analyse [f.]). The subject (Le scientifique) becomes du scientifique.
The direct object (les données) becomes des données. The adverb (attentivement) becomes the adjective attentive and must agree with l'analyse, so it becomes attentive. The full nominalized phrase is l'analyse attentive des données par le scientifique.
Note the use of par is also common to reintroduce the agent, especially when de is already used for the object.

Formation Pattern

1
While the concept is straightforward, forming the noun from the verb requires knowing which suffix to use and how the verb's stem might change. The two most important suffixes are -tion and -ment.
2
The -tion Suffix (Feminine)
3
This is a highly productive suffix, often attached to verbs that themselves derive from Latin. The formation isn't always as simple as adding -tion to the verb root; the stem often changes. It is always feminine (la).
4
| Verb Pattern | Noun Ending | Example Verb | Noun Form |
5
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
6
| Verbs ending in -er | -ation | créer (to create) | la création |
7
| Verbs ending in -fier | -fication | modifier (to modify) | la modification |
8
| Verbs ending in -iser | -isation | organiser (to organize) | l'organisation |
9
| Verbs ending in -uire | -uction | construire (to construct) | la construction |
10
| Verbs ending in -enir | -ention | prévenir (to prevent) | la prévention |
11
| Verbs ending in -oir | -eption | recevoir (to receive) | la réception |
12
| Many irregular verbs | -tion | agir (to act) | l'action |
13
The -ment Suffix (Masculine)
14
This suffix is also extremely common and generally more predictable. It is most often added to the stem of first-group (-er) verbs and some irregular verbs. It is always masculine (le).
15
Rule: For most -er verbs, find the stem by dropping the -er and add -ment.
16
Examples:
17
changer -> le changement (the change)
18
payer -> le paiement (the payment)
19
commencer -> le commencement (the beginning)
20
développer -> le développement (the development)
21
gouverner -> le gouvernement (the government)
22
Some irregular verbs also use -ment, sometimes with a slight stem change: sentir -> le sentiment (the feeling), consentir -> le consentement (the consent).
23
Other Common Suffixes
24
You should also recognize other patterns, as -tion and -ment do not cover all verbs:
25
-age (masculine): Often denotes a process, an action, or its result. nettoyer -> le nettoyage (the cleaning), passer -> le passage (the passing/passage), stocker -> le stockage (the storage).
26
-ure (feminine): Often refers to the result of an action. ouvrir -> l'ouverture (the opening), fermer -> la fermeture (the closing), lire -> la lecture (the reading).
27
-ance / -ence (feminine): Typically from verbs describing a state or quality. tolérer -> la tolérance (tolerance), connaître -> la connaissance (knowledge), préférer -> la préférence (preference).
28
Past Participle Form: Some nouns are formed directly from the feminine past participle of the verb. arriver -> l'arrivée (the arrival), sortir -> la sortie (the exit), monter -> la montée (the ascent).

When To Use It

Knowing how to form these nouns is only half the battle; knowing when to deploy them is what signals true proficiency.
  1. 1For Conciseness (Headlines, Titles, and Summaries)
Nominalization is the language of headlines. It removes subjects and auxiliary verbs to present information with maximum density. Instead of Le chômage a baissé ce mois-ci, a newspaper will read: Baisse du chômage ce mois-ci. This is also standard for email subject lines: Confirmation de votre rendez-vous.
  1. 1For Abstraction and Formality (Academic and Professional Writing)
In a formal context, you often discuss the concept of an action rather than a specific instance. Nominalization is the primary tool for this. Compare On doit analyser les résultats pour voir si ça marche (colloquial) with L'analyse des résultats est nécessaire pour déterminer l'efficacité du projet (formal).
The second sentence treats the analysis as a formal step in a process.
  1. 1To Create a Subject for a Complex Thought
Nominalization allows you to package a lengthy action into a noun phrase that can serve as the subject of a more elaborate sentence. This is essential for building complex arguments. For example: La mise en place d'une nouvelle politique de télétravail (The implementation of a new remote work policy) can now be the subject: ...a suscité de vifs débats au sein de l'entreprise.
  1. 1To Avoid Verb Repetition and Clumsiness
Overusing the same verb constructions (il faut que..., on doit...) can make your writing sound repetitive. Nominalization provides an elegant alternative. Instead of Il faut d'abord planifier le projet, puis il faut exécuter le plan, you can write: La planification et l'exécution du projet sont les deux phases principales.
  1. 1In Specific Casual Expressions
While its primary domain is formal, nominalization is integral to many everyday expressions. Phrases like le lever du soleil (sunrise), la prise de tête (a hassle, literally 'head-taking'), or le mal de mer (seasickness) are all examples. Le chargement de cette page est interminable ! (The loading of this page is endless!) is a perfectly natural complaint you might hear in any context.

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently stumble in a few key areas when using nominalization. Being aware of these traps is the first step to avoiding them.
  • Mistake 1: Incorrect Gender Assignment
This is the most common error. Remember that the suffix is your best guide. Nouns ending in -tion, -sion, -xion, -ance, -ence, and -ure are overwhelmingly feminine. Nouns ending in -ment, -age, and -isme are almost always masculine. WRONG: ~~le production~~. CORRECT: la production.
  • Mistake 2: Using an Adverb Instead of an Adjective
A nominalized phrase is a noun phrase. Nouns are modified by adjectives, not adverbs. You must convert the adverb from the original sentence into an adjective that agrees with your new noun. WRONG: ~~La décision rapidement du comité~~. CORRECT: La décision rapide du comité. The adjective rapide agrees with the feminine noun décision.
  • Mistake 3: Inventing Suffixes or Choosing the Wrong One
You cannot reliably guess the correct suffix. While patterns exist, the specific noun for each verb must be learned. Approuver becomes l'approbation, not ~~l'approuvement~~. Réfléchir becomes la réflexion, not ~~le réfléchissement~~. When you learn a new verb, make a habit of learning its corresponding noun.
  • Mistake 4: Noun Stacking (L'empilement de noms)
This is a stylistic pitfall where you create a long, unreadable chain of nouns linked by de. For example: la discussion de la modification de la proposition de la direction. This is grammatically possible but considered very poor style (un style lourd). To fix this, reintroduce a verb or use a relative clause: la discussion sur la modification proposée par la direction or la discussion sur la modification de la proposition qui vient de la direction.
  • Mistake 5: Confusing Nouns from the Same Verb
Some verbs can produce multiple nouns with different meanings. For example, the verb blanchir (to whiten/clean) gives le blanchissage (laundering, as in washing clothes) but also le blanchiment (laundering, as in money laundering). Mixing these up can lead to serious and sometimes comical misunderstandings.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Nominalization is one way to talk about actions, but French has others. It's important to distinguish their functions.
Nominalization vs. The Infinitive as a Noun (L'infinitif substantivé)
The infinitive form of a verb can sometimes be used as a masculine noun, often preceded by le. This is used to refer to the act in a very general, abstract, or even philosophical sense.
  • Le rire est bon pour la santé. (Laughter is good for health.)
  • Le savoir est une arme. (Knowledge is a weapon.)
Compare this to nominalization with a suffix, which usually refers to a more concrete process, instance, or result of an action:
  • Infinitive Noun: J'aime le manger. (I like eating. - abstract, refers to the general act of eating)
  • Nominalization: La nourriture est prête. (The food is ready. - nourriture from nourrir, the result of the act)
  • Nominalization: La consommation excessive de sucre est mauvaise. (The excessive consumption of sugar is bad. - refers to a specific process)
Nominalization vs. The Present Participle (Le participe présent)
The present participle (-ant) and the gerund (en + -ant) describe actions but function as adjectives or adverbs, not as nouns.
  • Nominalization (Noun): La fermeture de la route a causé des embouteillages. (The closing of the road caused traffic jams.) Here, La fermeture is the subject of the sentence.
  • Present Participle (Adjective): Une porte fermant mal laisse passer le froid. (A door closing poorly lets the cold in.) Here, fermant mal describes the door.
  • Gerund (Adverb): En fermant la porte, j'ai coincé mes doigts. (While closing the door, I pinched my fingers.) Here, En fermant describes the circumstances of the main action.
These structures are not interchangeable. Nominalization creates a noun; the others create modifiers.

Real Conversations

At the Office (Email)

Objet: Annulation de la réunion de demain

Bonjour à tous,

Suite à un imprévu, je dois reporter notre point hebdomadaire. Je reviens vers vous rapidement pour la planification d'un nouveau créneau. Merci de votre compréhension.

(Here, annulation, planification, and compréhension are all nominalizations that make the message concise and professional.)

On Social Media

Post: L'ouverture du nouveau café du quartier, c'est ce weekend ! Trop hâte !

Comment: J'espère qu'il y aura moins d'attente qu'à l'inauguration de la librairie... c'était l'enfer.

(Nominalizations like l'ouverture, l'attente, and l'inauguration are used naturally to refer to events.)

Casual Conversation

S

Speaker A

Le déménagement de Chloé a l'air compliqué. (Chloe's move looks complicated.)
S

Speaker B

Oui, et la recherche d'appart à Paris, c'est un boulot à plein temps. (Yeah, and the apartment search in Paris is a full-time job.)

(Both le déménagement and la recherche are nominalizations used to discuss complex actions as single topics.)

Quick FAQ

Q: Is it mandatory to use nominalization?

To understand and produce formal French at a B2 level and above, yes. It is unavoidable in news, academic texts, and professional communication. In casual conversation, you often have the choice between a nominalized phrase and a full verb clause, but many common expressions rely on it.

Q: How do you handle negation with nominalization?

For a formal style, you can prefix the noun with non- (often with a hyphen). For example, le non-respect du code de la route (the non-respect of the traffic laws) or la non-livraison de la commande (the non-delivery of the order). In less formal contexts, it's common to use a phrase like le fait de ne pas respecter....

Q: Can a single verb have more than one nominalization?

Yes, and the meanings are usually distinct. For passer, you have le passage (the passage, a physical path or the act of passing) and la passation (the handover, as in a transfer of power or duties). Learning these nuances is part of mastering a sophisticated vocabulary.

Q: What is the best way to learn these noun forms?

Active exposure is more effective than memorizing long lists. When you learn a new verb, look up and learn its associated noun(s). Pay attention to nominalizations when reading French news articles or reports. This contextual learning helps you absorb the correct suffix and gender naturally.

Q: Is there a difference between la fin and la finition?

Yes. Both come from finir (to finish). La fin means 'the end' in a general sense (la fin du film). La finition refers to the 'finishing' or 'finishing touches' on a product, like a piece of furniture or a construction project, implying a focus on quality and detail.

Common Nominalization Patterns

Verb Suffix Noun Gender
Informer
-tion
Information
F
Développer
-ment
Développement
M
Annuler
-tion
Annulation
F
Préparer
-tion
Préparation
F
Changer
-ment
Changement
M
Organiser
-tion
Organisation
F

Meanings

Nominalization is the process of turning a verb into a noun to make a sentence more concise or formal.

1

Action Nouns

Turning an action into the concept of that action.

“L'organisation de la fête.”

“Le changement de programme.”

2

Result Nouns

Turning an action into the result of that action.

“Le bâtiment est grand.”

“La solution est simple.”

Reference Table

Reference table for French Nominalization: Turning Verbs into Nouns (-tion, -ment)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Le/La + Noun + est...
La décision est prise.
Negative
Le/La + Noun + n'est pas...
La décision n'est pas prise.
Question
Est-ce que + le/la + Noun + est...?
Est-ce que la décision est prise?
Possessive
Mon/Ma + Noun + est...
Mon changement est nécessaire.
Adjective
Le/La + Noun + Adjective
L'organisation parfaite.
Preposition
Le/La + Noun + de...
La préparation du dîner.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
La finalisation du projet est effective.

La finalisation du projet est effective. (Work)

Neutral
Le projet est fini.

Le projet est fini. (Work)

Informal
On a fini le projet.

On a fini le projet. (Work)

Slang
Le projet est plié.

Le projet est plié. (Work)

Nominalization Tree

Verb

Suffix -tion

  • Informer Inform

Suffix -ment

  • Développer Develop
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

C'est une bonne information.

It is good information.

2

Le paiement est facile.

The payment is easy.

3

La création est belle.

The creation is beautiful.

4

Le changement est bon.

The change is good.

1

L'annulation du vol est triste.

The flight cancellation is sad.

2

Le développement du projet avance.

The project development is moving forward.

3

La préparation du dîner est longue.

The dinner preparation is long.

4

L'organisation est parfaite.

The organization is perfect.

1

Sa décision de partir était soudaine.

His decision to leave was sudden.

2

La discussion sur le budget a duré longtemps.

The discussion about the budget lasted a long time.

3

Le remplacement du professeur est nécessaire.

The teacher's replacement is necessary.

4

La présentation du rapport est prévue demain.

The report presentation is scheduled for tomorrow.

1

La mise en œuvre de cette stratégie est complexe.

The implementation of this strategy is complex.

2

Nous attendons la confirmation de votre inscription.

We are awaiting confirmation of your registration.

3

La transformation numérique est une priorité.

Digital transformation is a priority.

4

L'amélioration des conditions de travail est essentielle.

Improving working conditions is essential.

1

La généralisation de ces pratiques pose problème.

The generalization of these practices poses a problem.

2

L'institutionnalisation du processus est en cours.

The institutionalization of the process is underway.

3

La déstabilisation du marché est inquiétante.

The market destabilization is worrying.

4

La rationalisation des coûts est impérative.

Cost rationalization is imperative.

1

La sacralisation de l'individu est un phénomène récent.

The sacralization of the individual is a recent phenomenon.

2

La fragmentation du discours politique est évidente.

The fragmentation of political discourse is evident.

3

L'instrumentalisation de la peur est une stratégie classique.

The instrumentalization of fear is a classic strategy.

4

La sédimentation des idées prend du temps.

The sedimentation of ideas takes time.

Easily Confused

French Nominalization: Turning Verbs into Nouns (-tion, -ment) vs Infinitive as Noun vs Nominalization

Learners confuse 'Le manger' (eating) with 'La consommation' (consumption).

French Nominalization: Turning Verbs into Nouns (-tion, -ment) vs Suffix -tion vs -ment

Learners guess the suffix randomly.

French Nominalization: Turning Verbs into Nouns (-tion, -ment) vs Nominalization vs Adjective

Learners use adjectives where nouns are needed.

Common Mistakes

✗

Le information

✓

L'information

Information is feminine.
✗

La développement

✓

Le développement

Développement is masculine.
✗

La organisation

✓

L'organisation

Use L' before vowels.
✗

Le annulation

✓

L'annulation

Use L' before vowels.
✗

Le choisissement

✓

Le choix

Irregular nominalization.
✗

La changement

✓

Le changement

Changement is masculine.
✗

Le préparation

✓

La préparation

Préparation is feminine.
✗

La décision de partir est une action de décider.

✓

La décision de partir est importante.

Avoid redundant phrasing.
✗

Le gouvernement est une action de gouverner.

✓

Le gouvernement est efficace.

Use the noun directly.
✗

La création de le projet.

✓

La création du projet.

De + le = du.
✗

La mise en place de la stratégie est une chose complexe.

✓

La mise en place de la stratégie est complexe.

Avoid filler words.
✗

L'utilisation de la nominalisation est trop.

✓

L'utilisation excessive de la nominalisation est déconseillée.

Use precise adjectives.
✗

La réalisation de le travail.

✓

La réalisation du travail.

De + le = du.

Sentence Patterns

La ___ de ___ est importante.

Le ___ de ___ est nécessaire.

Nous attendons la ___ de ___.

La ___ est une priorité pour ___.

Real World Usage

Job Interview very common

Ma gestion de projet a permis d'augmenter les ventes.

Email to Client very common

Je vous confirme la réception de votre paiement.

Social Media Headline common

L'annulation du concert de ce soir.

Travel Booking common

La confirmation de votre réservation est envoyée.

Food Delivery App common

La préparation de votre commande est en cours.

Academic Paper constant

La conceptualisation de cette théorie est complexe.

Sign up free to see all examples
💡

Check the Gender

Always remember that -tion is feminine and -ment is masculine. It will save you from many errors.
⚠️

Avoid Over-Nominalization

Too many nouns can make your writing feel stiff. Use verbs when you want to emphasize action.
🎯

Use for Professionalism

In formal writing, nominalization is your best friend to sound like a native professional.
💬

Context Matters

Use these forms in formal settings, but stick to verbs in casual conversation with friends.

Smart Tips

Replace verb phrases with nouns to sound more professional.

Je vous informe que nous avons décidé de changer le plan. → Je vous informe de notre décision de changement de plan.

Try adding -tion or -ment to see if it makes a common noun.

Il faut organiser la réunion. → L'organisation de la réunion est nécessaire.

Use nominalization to remove the 'I' or 'We' from the sentence.

Nous avons annulé le projet. → L'annulation du projet est confirmée.

Remember: -tion = feminine, -ment = masculine.

Le information. → L'information.

Pronunciation

/sjɔ̃/

Suffix -tion

Pronounced like 'syon' with a nasal sound.

/mɑ̃/

Suffix -ment

Pronounced like 'mon' with a nasal sound.

Formal Statement

La décision est prise. ↘

Falling intonation for certainty.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Tion is a lady (feminine), Ment is a gent (masculine).

Visual Association

Imagine a lady holding a 'Tion' sign (feminine) and a gentleman holding a 'Ment' sign (masculine).

Rhyme

For a noun that's meant, add a ment. For a noun with action, add a tion.

Story

I had a 'développement' (masculine) project. I needed 'information' (feminine) for it. I asked my boss for the 'décision' (feminine) and the 'paiement' (masculine).

Word Web

InformationDéveloppementAnnulationChangementOrganisationPréparation

Challenge

Find 3 verbs in your daily life and try to turn them into nouns using -tion or -ment.

Cultural Notes

Nominalization is highly valued in French business culture to sound objective and professional.

Academic writing relies heavily on nominalization to create dense, precise arguments.

Journalists use nominalization for concise, punchy headlines.

Most French nominalizations come from Latin suffixes -tio and -mentum.

Conversation Starters

“

Quelle est l'importance de l'organisation dans votre travail?

“

Que pensez-vous de la transformation numérique?

“

La décision de changer de carrière est-elle difficile?

“

Comment se passe la préparation de votre voyage?

Journal Prompts

Décrivez une journée de travail en utilisant au moins 5 noms dérivés de verbes.
Écrivez une plainte formelle concernant un service en utilisant des noms comme 'annulation' ou 'paiement'.
Expliquez un projet futur en utilisant des termes comme 'développement' et 'organisation'.
Racontez une expérience passée en nominalisant les actions principales.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Fill in the correct noun form of the verb in parentheses.

La ___ (organiser) de la fête est parfaite.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: organisation
Organiser -> Organisation.
Choose the correct gender. Multiple Choice

___ développement est terminé.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Le
-ment is masculine.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Le information est importante.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: L'information est importante.
Elision before vowel.
Transform the verb into a noun. Sentence Transformation

Il a annulé le vol. -> ___ du vol.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: L'annulation
Annuler -> Annulation.
Match the verb to its noun. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Information, Développement, Préparation
Correct suffix mapping.
Which sentence is more formal? Multiple Choice

A: Il a décidé de partir. B: Sa décision de partir est prise.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: B
Nominalization is more formal.
Fill in the blank.

La ___ (préparer) du dîner prend du temps.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: préparation
Préparer -> Préparation.
Build a sentence with 'confirmation'. Sentence Building

J'attends / la / de / confirmation / votre / inscription.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'attends la confirmation de votre inscription.
Correct word order.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct noun form of the verb in parentheses.

La ___ (organiser) de la fête est parfaite.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: organisation
Organiser -> Organisation.
Choose the correct gender. Multiple Choice

___ développement est terminé.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Le
-ment is masculine.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Le information est importante.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: L'information est importante.
Elision before vowel.
Transform the verb into a noun. Sentence Transformation

Il a annulé le vol. -> ___ du vol.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: L'annulation
Annuler -> Annulation.
Match the verb to its noun. Match Pairs

Informer, Développer, Préparer

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Information, Développement, Préparation
Correct suffix mapping.
Which sentence is more formal? Multiple Choice

A: Il a décidé de partir. B: Sa décision de partir est prise.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: B
Nominalization is more formal.
Fill in the blank.

La ___ (préparer) du dîner prend du temps.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: préparation
Préparer -> Préparation.
Build a sentence with 'confirmation'. Sentence Building

J'attends / la / de / confirmation / votre / inscription.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'attends la confirmation de votre inscription.
Correct word order.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Convert the adjective 'vrai' into a noun. Fill in the Blank

Je cherche le ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vrai
Translate 'The opening of the restaurant' to French. Translation

The opening of the restaurant.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: L'ouverture du restaurant
Which suffix usually indicates a masculine noun? Multiple Choice

Select the masculine suffix:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: -ment
Match the verb to its noun form. Match Pairs

Match these:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Changer:Changement, Produire:Production, Finir:Finissage, Ouvrir:Ouverture
Find the gender error. Error Correction

Une grand changement arrive.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Un grand changement arrive.
Arrange the words correctly. Sentence Reorder

Arrange: [la] [fermeture] [nous] [attendons] [du] [compte]

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nous attendons la fermeture du compte
Nouns ending in -tion are usually... Fill in the Blank

Gender of -tion:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Feminine
Translate 'The slow loading'. Translation

The slow loading.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Le chargement lent
What is the noun form of 'grand'? Multiple Choice

Noun for 'grand':

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La grandeur
Match the suffix to a word. Match Pairs

Match these:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: -age:Nettoyage, -ure:Coupure, -té:Liberté, -ance:Croissance

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

To make sentences more concise, formal, and objective.

Yes, almost all nouns ending in -tion are feminine.

Yes, almost all nouns ending in -ment are masculine.

You can, but it might sound a bit formal or stiff.

Check a dictionary or use a verb phrase instead.

No, but they are often used together to create formal, objective sentences.

Because English doesn't have grammatical gender for these nouns.

Try rewriting your emails using more nouns instead of verbs.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Nominalización

Spanish -miento is masculine, similar to French -ment.

German moderate

Nominalisierung

German uses capitalization to mark nouns.

Japanese low

Meishika

Japanese does not use suffixes on the verb itself.

Arabic moderate

Masdar

Arabic Masdar is a core part of the verb system.

Chinese low

Mingcihua

Chinese has no morphological suffixes for this.

English high

Nominalization

English nouns do not have grammatical gender.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Letting things happen: The French Causative (Laisser + infinitif)
Next
French Complex Negations: ni... ni, guère, and point

Related Grammar Rules

A1

The French 'Si': Using 'If' and 'Yes' (Contradiction)

Overview The French word si is a cornerstone of the language, but its power comes from its dual identity. For a beginner...
B2

Getting Things Done to You (se faire + infinitif)

Overview The construction **`se faire` + infinitive** is a cornerstone of modern spoken French, serving as a dynamic an...
B2

The Magic 'On': The Easy Alternative to the Passive

Overview The pronoun `on` is one of the most versatile and essential words in modern French. While often introduced as a...
A1

French Expressions of Age: I have 20 years (avoir ... ans)

Overview In French, expressing age differs fundamentally from English. You do not **“be”** your age; instead, you **“hav...
B2

French Subject-Verb Inversion after Adverbs (Peut-être, Aussi...)

Overview In French, the standard declarative sentence follows a comfortable, predictable rhythm: `Subject-Verb-Object`....
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!