2. Earth: Verbs → Nouns 2

Science explanations often turn actions (verbs) into things (nouns).

This grammatical change is called nominalisation and is commonly used in

scientific writing to describe processes clearly and efficiently.

Your task is to rewrite each short clause by expressing its process as a noun group.

2.1. Examples

Verb: Plates collide

Nominalisation: The collision of plates

Verb: Scientists predict earthquakes

Nominalisation: The prediction of earthquakes by scientists

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Plate tectonics processes

Rewrite each clause as a noun group.

Process to Participant

Everyday (process)	Scientific (participant)
Plates collide	The collision of plates
Plates converge
Plates diverge
Plates interact
Plates slip
Crust spreads
One plate subducts
Forces transform the Earth’s surface

Reveal Answer Key

Model Answer

Everyday (process)	Scientific (participant)
Plates collide	The collision of plates
Plates converge	The convergence of plates
Plates diverge	The divergence of plates
Plates interact	The interaction of plates
Plates slip	The slippage of plates
Crust spreads	The spreading of crust
One plate subducts	The subduction of one plate
Forces transform the Earth’s surface	The transformation of the Earth’s surface by forces

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Rock formation processes

Rewrite each clause as a noun group.

Process to Participant

Everyday (process)	Scientific (participant)
Plates compress crust
Lava cools
Magma creates crust
Mountains form
Lava hardens
Rock melts

Reveal Answer Key

Model Answer

Everyday (process)	Scientific (participant)
Plates compress crust	The compression of crust by plates
Lava cools	The cooling of lava
Magma creates crust	The creation of crust from magma
Mountains form	The formation of mountains
Lava hardens	The hardening of lava
Rock melts	The melting of rock

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Surface and weathering processes

Rewrite each clause as a noun group.

Process to Participant

Everyday (process)	Scientific (participant)
Water erodes rock
Stress fractures crust
Crust sinks

Reveal Answer Key

Model Answer

Everyday (process)	Scientific (participant)
Water erodes rock	The erosion of rock by water
Stress fractures crust	The fracturing of crust by stress
Crust sinks	The sinking of crust

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Volcanic and seismic processes

Rewrite each clause as a noun group.

Process to Participant

Everyday (process)	Scientific (participant)
Volcano erupts
Seismometers detect movement
Scientists predict earthquakes
Authorities evacuate communities

Reveal Answer Key

Model Answer

Everyday (process)	Scientific (participant)
Volcano erupts	The eruption of a volcano
Seismometers detect movement	The detection of movement by seismometers
Scientists predict earthquakes	The prediction of earthquakes by scientists
Authorities evacuate communities	The evacuation of communities by authorities

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Effects and outcomes

Rewrite each clause as a noun group.

Process to Participant

Everyday (process)	Scientific (participant)
Subduction destroys crust
Good design reduces damage
Heat weakens crust

Reveal Answer Key

Model Answer

Everyday (process)	Scientific (participant)
Subduction destroys crust	The destruction of crust by subduction
Good design reduces damage	The reduction of damage by good design
Heat weakens crust	The weakening of crust by heat