Turning verbs and adjectives into nouns
Can transform verbs and adjectives into nouns in formal style
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Das Lernen einer Sprache braucht Zeit.
Learning a language takes time.
Die Entscheidung wurde gestern getroffen.
The decision was made yesterday.
Der Kranke muss im Bett bleiben.
The sick person must stay in bed.
Es gibt nichts Neues.
There is nothing new.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Nominalization converts verbs/adjectives into nouns, making German more compact and formal. Very common in academic and professional writing.
| Source | Nominalization | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb → Infinitiv | das + Infinitiv | das Lernen, das Schwimmen |
| Verb → Suffix | -ung (fem.) | die Entscheidung, die Änderung |
| Adjektiv → Nomen | der/die/das + adj. | der Kranke, das Gute |
-ung is the most productive suffix: entscheiden→Entscheidung, ändern→Änderung, lösen→Lösung. All -ung nouns are feminine.
Nominalized adjectives take adjective declension: ein Kranker (Type 2), der Kranke (Type 1), etwas Neues (neuter, Type 3).
Apply this grammar in B2 course exercises
Practice ExercisesIncorrect number word form or usage
Review number patterns and exceptions (eins as standalone vs ein before nouns)
Wrong time expression format
Review formal (14:30 Uhr) vs informal (halb drei) time expressions
Incorrect spelling based on pronunciation rules
Review German spelling conventions: ie=[iː], ei=[aɪ], ß after long vowels, ss after short vowels
Das Lernen einer Sprache braucht Zeit.
Learning a language takes time.
Nominalized infinitive: das Lernen (neuter).
Die Entscheidung wurde gestern getroffen.
The decision was made yesterday.
Entscheiden → die Entscheidung (-ung, feminine).
Der Kranke muss im Bett bleiben.
The sick person must stay in bed.
Nominalized adjective: krank → der Kranke.
Es gibt nichts Neues.
There is nothing new.
Etwas/nichts + nominalized adj. (neuter, Type 3).
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in B2 course exercises