Key points about changing verbs into nouns
- A verb is a doing word. can be nominalised (changed into A noun is the name of a thing, such as an object, place or person. Nouns are often described as naming words. ) to talk about actions as things.
- For example: Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.to write (verb) can become Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.the writing (noun).
- All German nouns start with a capital letter.
- These nouns (sometimes known as 'verbal nouns') are These are nouns that take the article das in German (often referring to things, places, or abstract concepts). and so have das before them.
How to change verbs into nouns
Form nouns out of verbs by taking the infinitive form of the verb (the one ending in -en) and use it as a noun.
Remember these nouns are neuter, so put das before them and a capital letter:
Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. – Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.
to swim – the swimming
Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. – Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.
to read – the reading
Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. – Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.
to write – the writing
The following verbs can easily be nominalised (changed into nouns).
Key infinitive verbs in German:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to read |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to think |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to write |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to travel |
Mini quiz
What is the missing noun in each of these sentences?
- Swimming is fun = _______ macht Spaß.
Das Schwimmen macht Spaß.
- Reading helps you learn = ______ hilft dir beim Lernen.
Das Lesen hilft dir beim Lernen.
- Sleeping is important. = _______ ist wichtig.
Das Schlafen ist wichtig.
- Eating too much sugar is unhealthy. = ______ von zu viel Zucker ist ungesund.
Das Essen von zu viel Zucker ist ungesund.
How to change adjectives into nouns
Adjectives can also be turned into nouns. These nouns can be known as 'adjectival nouns'.
This is common when talking about languages. For example:
Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. –Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.
English – The English language
Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. –Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.
German – The German language
Listening task
English is important and I learn it every day at school.
Spanish is fun, although the grammar is a bit difficult.
Listen to the first audio clip.
What is the noun for the language you hear?
Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.
Listen to the second audio clip.
What is the noun for the language you hear?
Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.
Quiz
Take this quiz to check your understanding of changing verbs into nouns.
More on Nouns, determiners and cases
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