Nominal Style
Official texts prefer nouns to verbs: извършване на проверка (carrying out an inspection) instead of проверяваме (we inspect).
How It Works
1. Verbs become nouns. Formal writing names actions with verbal nouns in -не and verbal nouns in -ние: проверявам → проверяване, подобрявам → подобряване, решавам → решение, одобрявам → одобрение. Nouns in -не come from imperfective verbs: извършване, from извършвам.
2. Objects follow with на. The object of the verb comes after the noun with на: подобрявам качеството → подобряване на качеството. Chains can be long: подобряване на качеството на обслужването (improving the quality of the service). Each на works like English of; see на for possession.
3. General verbs carry the tense. A broad verb takes the place of the specific one, and the meaning moves into the noun: извършвам проверка (carry out an inspection) = проверявам; вземам решение (make a decision) = решавам; осъществявам контрол (exercise control) = контролирам; оказвам помощ (provide help) = помагам.
4. Where you meet it. Laws, official letters, reports and news: Предстои извършване на ремонт на покрива (Repair work on the roof is coming up). It often appears with impersonal passives and formal prepositions such as с цел and относно.
5. Everyday speech prefers verbs. A friend says Ще проверим документите (We'll check the documents), not Ще извършим проверка на документите. Use the nominal style for formal writing and recognize it when you read. In conversation it sounds stiff.
Examples (5)
- Извършването на проверката ще отнеме два дни.
Carrying out the inspection will take two days.
- Целта на проекта е подобряване на качеството на образованието.
The aim of the project is to improve the quality of education.
Word by Word: The-aim of the-project is improving of the-quality of the-education.
- Комисията взе решение за закриване на болницата.
The commission decided to close the hospital.
Word by Word: The-commission took decision for closing of the-hospital.
Взе решение replaces реши, and закриване names the action.
- Предстои извършване на ремонт на покрива.
Repair work on the roof is coming up.
Word by Word: Is-forthcoming carrying-out of repair of the-roof.
- Спирането на тока се дължи на авария.
The power cut is due to a breakdown.
Word by Word: The-stopping of the-current is-due to breakdown.
Common Mistakes
Making a verbal noun in -не from a perfective verb.
Предстои извършене на проверка.Предстои извършване на проверка.Verbal nouns in -не are formed from imperfective verbs: извършвам → извършване. There is no noun извършене.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Nominal style needs verbal nouns and на.
Related Patterns
- Verbal Nouns in -не
The main building block of the nominal style.
Level 3 - The Impersonal Passive in Formal Style
Another feature of formal style that hides the doer.
Level 5 - с целWith the Aim of
A formal preposition often followed by a verbal noun.
Level 5 - относно/във връзка сRegarding and in Connection with
Formal prepositions that often introduce nominal phrases.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice Nominal Style in Bubblegum
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