Sentence structure: Formal style: nominalization and ellipsis
Formal and academic writing likes nouns instead of verbs (decide → the decision), packs information into long noun phrases, and avoids repetition by using short words like so, not, one(s), do so.
Bring the pieces togetherIn this chapter
Why nouns?
In speech we describe actions: The city decided to build a library. In formal writing the same information gathers around a noun: The city's decision to build a library pleased many families. The writing becomes denser and more objective.
Word families: from verbs and adjectives to nouns
-sion / -tion: explain → explanation
Example: decide → decision
Example: improve → improvement
Same information, two styles
Everyday style: subject + verb.
Example: The city decided to build a new library.
Example: The city's decision to build a new library pleased many families.
Long noun phrases: find the head
The head noun is report: an adjective before it (detailed) and on + … after it. In Turkish all of this comes before the noun.
Example: A detailed report on the city's water supply was published last week.
Example: The number of students who walk to school has increased.
Don't repeat: drop it or replace it
Careful English doesn't say the same thing twice. It either drops words (ellipsis: she did) or uses a short substitute: so / not for a whole clause, one / ones for a countable noun, do so for an action.
so, not, one(s), do so
Ellipsis: did = helped. Only the auxiliary stays.
Example: She promised to help, and she did.
Example: I think so.
Tip
Don't overdo it: turning everything into nouns makes writing heavy. Instead of “the making of a decision about the cancellation of the trip”, the decision to cancel the trip is enough. Good formal writing balances a strong noun phrase with a clear verb.
Position 2 of 2 chapters at C2.