Register Contrast in Nominalization
Ukrainian stylists often recommend replacing 'heavy' verbal nouns (like 'performing' or 'registration') with active verbs or subordinate clauses to avoid 'bureaucratese' (канцелярит).
How It Works
In Ukrainian, nominalization is the process of turning a verb into a noun (e.g., читати → читання).
While this is standard in legal and scientific registers, it can sound stiff in neutral speech. This is often called канцелярит (bureaucratese).
Key strategies to become proficient in avoiding excessive nominalization include:
- Replacing support verbs: Instead of using 'empty' verbs like здійснювати (to carry out) or проводити (to conduct) with a noun, use the base verb directly.
- Zero-Suffix Nouns vs. -ння: Prefer shorter, non-suffixed nouns when they exist (e.g., вибір instead of вибирання). Note that віддієслівні іменники на -ння typically denote a continuous process, while zero-suffix nouns often emphasize the completed result.
- Using Subordinate Clauses: Replace prepositional phrases containing verbal nouns with clauses starting with коли (when) or щоб (in order to).
- Active Voice: Identify the 'doer' and use a personal verb form instead of an abstract noun.
- Case Shift Awareness: When you use a verbal noun, its direct object shifts from Accusative to Genitive. However, if the verb originally governed the орудний or давальний, that case is usually retained.
Examples (6)
- Ми працюємо над покращенням якості.
We are working on the improvement of quality. (Formal/Nominalized)
Word by Word: We work on improvement [of] quality.
Uses the verbal noun 'покращення' (improvement) in the instrumental case.
- Ми працюємо, щоб покращити якість.
We are working to improve the quality. (Neutral/Active)
Word by Word: We work, so that [to] improve quality.
Replaces the noun with a purpose clause using 'щоб' and the infinitive, which sounds more natural.
- Після завершення перевірки комісія пішла.
After the completion of the inspection, the commission left. (Formal)
Word by Word: After completion [of] inspection commission left.
A typical official sentence using a 'noun + genitive noun' chain.
- Коли перевірку завершили, комісія пішла.
When the inspection was finished, the commission left. (Neutral)
Word by Word: When inspection [they] finished, commission left.
Uses a temporal clause with a verb, making the action feel more immediate.
- Він здійснює регулювання руху.
He carries out the regulation of traffic. (Bureaucratic)
Word by Word: He carries out regulation [of] traffic.
Uses a 'support verb' (здійснює) which adds unnecessary length.
- Він регулює рух.
He regulates the traffic. (Direct/Natural)
Word by Word: He regulates traffic.
The most concise and dynamic way to express the action using a single active verb.
Common Mistakes
Creating 'Genitive Chains' by piling up too many nouns.
Процес обговорення питання створення комісії.Як обговорювали створення комісії.Piling up four genitive nouns in a row makes the sentence hard to process. Breaking it with a verb or a conjunction improves clarity.
Assuming all verbal nouns take the Genitive case for their objects.
Керування компанії.Керування компанією.While direct objects (Accusative) shift to the Genitive when nominalized, verbs that govern other cases, like керувати, retain the Instrumental case even in their noun form.
Overusing support verbs like 'проводити' (conduct) or 'здійснювати' (perform).
Ми проводимо прибирання в кімнаті.Ми прибираємо в кімнаті.Using 'conduct cleaning' is unnecessarily wordy compared to the simple verb 'to clean'. Using the active verb makes the sentence more dynamic.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the avoidance of excessive nominalization, a learner needs to be comfortable with both the formal construction (verbal nouns) and the neutral alternative (subordinate clauses using conjunctions like 'коли' or 'після того як').
- -ння/-ттяVerbal Noun in -ння and -ття
Learners must first know how to form and identify verbal nouns before they can learn to avoid their excessive use.
Level 4 - після того якTemporal Clauses with “After”
This pattern involves contrasting nominal structures with temporal clauses, making the understanding of 'після того як' and similar conjunctions essential.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- Chains of Verbal Nouns
Focuses specifically on the error of stacking multiple verbal nouns together in a single phrase.
Level 6 - -ння + GenitiveVerbal Noun in -ння with Genitive Object
Explains the specific case requirement (Genitive) that occurs when a verb is nominalized.
Level 5 - коли (сполучник часу)Temporal Clauses with Коли
One of the primary tools used to replace nominalized prepositional phrases with active temporal clauses.
Level 3 - щобPurpose Clauses with Щоб
Used to replace nominalized phrases expressing purpose with more natural verbal clauses.
Level 3 - -но/-тоImpersonal Passive in -но and -то
Another way to express completed actions without using heavy verbal nouns, often used in similar formal contexts.
Level 4
Practice Register Contrast in Nominalization in Bubblegum
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