Dense Noun Phrases
Speech uses Provode mjere. A formal text uses provođenje mjera. The meaning is the same, but the noun style is shorter and denser.
How It Works
| Verb clause | Noun phrase |
|---|---|
| Provode mjere. | provođenje mjera |
| Grade put. | izgradnja puta |
| Održavaju put. | održavanje puta |
| Čitaju knjige. | čitanje knjiga |
The verbal noun in -nje comes from the verb stem. The thing that was acted on goes into the genitive, and the doer, if there is one, often goes in the genitive too. This lets a writer pack a lot into one phrase.
Here are two sentences. Provođenje mjera počelo je jučer sounds like an official note. Jučer su počeli provoditi mjere says the same in plainer words.
When you read a dense text, ask: what is the verb hiding in this noun? Then ask who did what to whom. That turns the noun phrase back into a simple sentence.
Nouns in -nje are neuter, and nouns in -nja, such as izgradnja and gradnja, are feminine.
Examples (4)
- Provođenje mjera počelo je jučer.
The carrying out of the measures started yesterday.
Provođenje is the noun, mjera is in the genitive.
- Izgradnja puta traje dvije godine.
Building the road takes two years.
Izgradnja comes from graditi.
- Zbog održavanja puta saobraćaj je sporiji.
Because of the road maintenance traffic is slower.
Održavanja is in the genitive after zbog.
- Čitanje knjiga razvija maštu.
Reading books builds the imagination.
The verbal noun replaces a clause.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Nominal style prefers nouns.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice Dense Noun Phrases in Bubblegum
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