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C1 Nominalisation and Academic German | Fortgang Institut
Fortgang Institut · C1 Grammar Master Lesson 03

C1 Nominalisation and Academic German
with depth and precision.

Learn to package information efficiently in noun phrases and formal constructions without making your writing unnecessarily dense.

NominalisationNominal vs verbal styleNoun–verb combinationsParticiplesGenitiveFormal prepositions
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1. Why nominal style matters

Nominalisation turns an action, quality or clause into a noun phrase. It is common in reports, academic texts, administration and professional writing because it allows information to be grouped, compared and referred to later. It can also make prose abstract or heavy if overused.

German example
Weil die Kosten gestiegen sind, wurde das Projekt angepasst.
Because costs increased, the project was adjusted.
German example
Aufgrund des Kostenanstiegs wurde das Projekt angepasst.
Because of the increase in costs, the project was adjusted.
Why it works: Both sentences express a causal relationship. The first uses a clause; the second uses a prepositional phrase and a noun. Choose the version that fits the genre and the surrounding text.

2. Turning clauses into noun phrases

Common patterns include verb → noun (entscheiden → die Entscheidung), adjective → noun (wichtig → die Wichtigkeit) and clause → prepositional noun phrase. Pay attention to articles, case, plural forms and the preposition required by the new structure.

German example
Nachdem die Behörde den Antrag geprüft hatte, erteilte sie die Genehmigung.
After the authority had reviewed the application, it granted approval.
German example
Nach der Prüfung des Antrags erteilte die Behörde die Genehmigung.
After reviewing the application, the authority granted approval.
Why it works: Nominalisation often changes the structure, not just one word. The actor may move into a genitive phrase or von-phrase, and the relationship between events must remain clear.

3. Nomen-Verb-Verbindungen

Fixed noun–verb combinations are frequent in formal German: eine Entscheidung treffen, Maßnahmen ergreifen, Kritik üben, in Betracht ziehen, zur Verfügung stehen. Learn the whole combination, including its article, preposition and typical collocations.

German example
Die Kommission hat Maßnahmen ergriffen, um die Transparenz zu erhöhen.
The commission has taken measures to increase transparency.
German example
Die vorgeschlagene Lösung kommt derzeit nicht in Betracht.
The proposed solution is not currently an option.
Why it works: Do not translate each component literally. A noun–verb combination can have a conventional meaning and register. Check whether a simpler verb would be clearer in a given sentence.

4. Participles as adjectives

Participle I often expresses an active or ongoing relation: die steigenden Kosten (costs that are rising). Participle II often expresses a completed, affected or passive relation: die veröffentlichten Daten (the data that were published). Participles used before nouns take adjective endings.

German example
Die im Bericht dargestellten Ergebnisse widersprechen der ursprünglichen Annahme.
The results presented in the report contradict the original assumption.
German example
Die zunehmend komplexer werdenden Anforderungen stellen kleine Betriebe vor Probleme.
The requirements that are becoming increasingly complex pose problems for small businesses.
Why it works: Participial modifiers can compress relative clauses, but long strings can become hard to parse. When a modifier contains several details, a relative clause may be clearer.

5. Genitive and formal prepositions

Formal German frequently uses prepositions such as aufgrund, angesichts, hinsichtlich, infolge, ungeachtet and im Hinblick auf. Many govern the genitive in standard formal usage, though case variation exists in some contexts. Learn the pattern as a phrase and check current usage.

German example
Angesichts der hohen Nachfrage wurde die Kapazität erweitert.
In view of the high demand, capacity was expanded.
German example
Hinsichtlich der Finanzierung bestehen noch offene Fragen.
With regard to financing, some questions remain unresolved.
German example
Ungeachtet dieser Einwände wurde der Vorschlag angenommen.
Despite these objections, the proposal was accepted.
Why it works: Formal prepositions should clarify a logical relationship, not simply make a sentence sound sophisticated. Repeated aufgrund/angesichts phrases can make prose monotonous.

6. Keep compressed writing readable

Nominal style is useful when the noun phrase is precise and the sentence has a clear main verb. Restore a verbal clause if the actor, timeline or causal relationship becomes obscure. Avoid stacking multiple genitives and participles without a clear hierarchy.

German example
Die Durchführung der Überprüfung der Umsetzung der Maßnahme verzögerte sich.
The implementation of the review of the measure’s implementation was delayed. (heavy)
German example
Die Überprüfung, ob die Maßnahme umgesetzt wurde, verzögerte sich.
The review of whether the measure had been implemented was delayed. (clearer)
Why it works: A C1 writer controls both styles. Advanced writing is not synonymous with the longest noun phrase; precision and readability come first.
Check your understanding

Guided practice with explained answers

Try each task before opening the suggested answer. More than one answer may be possible when it preserves the intended meaning and fits the context.

Nominalise the cause

Weil die Nachfrage zunahm, wurde die Produktion erweitert.

Suggested answer: Aufgrund der zunehmenden Nachfrage wurde die Produktion erweitert.
Use a noun–verb combination

Die Organisation hat Schritte unternommen. Use Maßnahmen ergreifen.

Suggested answer: Die Organisation hat Maßnahmen ergriffen.
Expand a participle

die kürzlich veröffentlichten Zahlen

Suggested answer: die Zahlen, die kürzlich veröffentlicht wurden
Edit for clarity

Die Durchführung der Kontrolle der Durchführung wurde verschoben.

Suggested answer: Die Kontrolle, ob die Umsetzung erfolgt war, wurde verschoben. (One possible clearer revision.)
Transfer to real communication

Writing workshop

Write a 180–220-word formal summary of a policy or research project. Include three accurate nominalisations, two noun–verb combinations, one participial modifier and two formal prepositional phrases. Then revise one sentence into a clearer verbal style.

Self-assessment

  • I can explain why the structure fits the meaning.
  • I can distinguish it from a similar structure.
  • I can correct at least one common error.
  • I can use the structure in connected writing or speech.
  • I can edit my work for clarity, register and accuracy.
Keep progressing

Grammar works best as part of a complete C1 routine.

Combine this lesson with reading, listening, vocabulary development, speaking and exam-format practice. This Fortgang Institut resource is an independent learning aid, not an official Goethe-Institut publication.

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