-ння/-ття
Verbal Noun in -ння and -ття
Verbal nouns (віддієслівні іменники) turn actions into abstract concepts. They end in -ння or -ття, are always neuter, and are common in formal, scientific, and legal Ukrainian.
How It Works
Verbal nouns are common in formal writing, but modern Ukrainian style guides advise using them sparingly to avoid bureaucratic style, with a preference for active verbs.
1. Formation Patterns:
- -ння: The most common suffix. It involves doubling the 'н' (prolongation) between vowels. The formation is closely linked to the passive participle.
— -ання/-ування: Thematic vowels -а- and -ува- are retained from the verb stem (e.g., читати -> читання, готувати -> готування).
— -ення: Used for verbs in -ити or -іти, where the thematic vowel is replaced. This suffix triggers the same consonant mutations as the first-person singular or passive participles: д -> дж (судити -> судження), т -> ч (крутити -> кручення), з -> ж (вразити -> враження), с -> ш (запросити -> запрошення), and ст -> щ (мостити -> мощення). Verbs with the suffix -ну- also typically use this form (e.g., викинути -> викинення).
— -іння: Used for verbs in -ити or -іти when the stress remains on the suffix. Unlike -ення, this suffix does not trigger mutations (e.g., ходити -> ходіння, носити -> носіння).
— Labial Epenthesis: If the stem ends in a labial (б, п, в, м, ф), an л is inserted before -ення (e.g., робити -> роблення, купити -> куплення). - -ття: Used for verbs with monosyllabic roots ending in a vowel (e.g., жити -> життя, пити -> пиття, розп'ясти -> розп'яття) and roots ending in -р- (e.g., терти -> тертя).
Note on Consonant Doubling: Doubling only occurs if the consonant is immediately preceded by a vowel. If a consonant precedes the suffix, there is no doubling (e.g., тертя).
2. Grammatical Behavior:
These nouns belong to the neuter gender. They typically govern the Objective Genitive for their objects. Note that aspectual pairs can exist in verbal nouns to distinguish between a process (imperfective) and a result (perfective), such as виконування (the process of performing) vs виконання (the completion/result).
Examples (5)
- Вивчення мови потребує багато часу.
Studying the language requires a lot of time.
Word by Word: Studying of-language requires much time.
The verbal noun 'вивчення' (studying) describes the process and governs the Genitive case ('мови') for its object.
- Відкриття виставки відбудеться завтра.
The opening of the exhibition will take place tomorrow.
Word by Word: Opening of-exhibition will-take-place tomorrow.
'Відкриття' (opening) is a verbal noun ending in -ття, formed from the verb 'відкрити'.
- Паління в офісі суворо заборонено.
Smoking in the office is strictly prohibited.
Word by Word: Smoking in office strictly prohibited.
Here, 'паління' (smoking) is a verbal noun formed from the verb 'палити'.
- Виконання завдання зайняло дві години.
The completion of the task took two hours.
Word by Word: Completion of-task took two hours.
'Виконання' is a verbal noun formed from 'виконати', focusing on the action as a concept.
- Роблення помилок — це частина навчання.
Making mistakes is a part of learning.
Word by Word: Making of-mistakes — this part of-learning.
The noun 'роблення' shows labial epenthesis (the insertion of 'л') because the verb stem 'роб-' ends in the labial 'б'.
Common Mistakes
Using a verbal noun in casual speech where an infinitive is more natural.
Different MeaningЯ люблю читання книжок.Я люблю читати книжки.'Я люблю читання книжок' is correct, but it sounds bookish. In casual conversation Ukrainians usually prefer the infinitive: 'Я люблю читати книжки.'
Forgetting the double 'нн' in the suffix.
питаняпитанняThe suffix -ння always requires a double 'н' to represent the soft elongated sound.
Incorrectly changing the case of an object that was not in the Accusative.
керування автомобілякерування автомобілемOnly direct objects (Accusative) change to the Genitive. Verbs that govern the Instrumental or Dative cases keep those cases in the noun form.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand verbal nouns in -ння and -ття, a learner needs to be familiar with verb stems (derived from the infinitive) and how these stems transform into nouns. Since these nouns are always neuter, knowledge of neuter gender patterns is essential. Additionally, understanding Ukrainian phonetics and orthography regarding soft consonants is necessary to correctly form the -ння suffix.
- -тиInfinitive Ending -ти
Verbal nouns are derived from the verb stem, which is most easily identified from the infinitive form.
Level 1 - Neuter noun gender
Verbal nouns ending in -ння and -ття follow the declension patterns and grammatical behavior of neuter gender nouns.
Level 1 - Soft sign
The suffix -ння involves gemination and softening, requiring an understanding of how softness is marked in Ukrainian orthography.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- Aspect Contrast in Verbal Nouns
Explores how verbal nouns can still carry the nuance of perfective or imperfective aspect.
Level 4 - Genitive Complement of a Verbal Noun
Explains how the direct object of a verb becomes a Genitive complement when turned into a verbal noun.
Level 4 - Instrumental Agent with a Verbal Noun
Explains how the subject of the action is expressed using the Instrumental case with these nouns.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- Prepositional Phrases with Verbal NounsLevel 4
- Register Contrast in NominalizationLevel 4
- -ння + GenitiveVerbal Noun in -ння with Genitive ObjectLevel 5
- не підлягає + DativeНе Підлягає with Dative Verbal NounLevel 5
- відповідно доConformity Preposition Відповідно ДоLevel 6
- щодо / стосовноTopical Prepositions Щодо and СтосовноLevel 6
Words in This Pattern
Practice -ння/-ття in Bubblegum
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