1. Nominalisation of Verbs

In scientific writing, actions (processes) are often rewritten as things (participants).

1.1. Process → Participant

In everyday language, actions are usually expressed as verbs.

In science, these actions are often rewritten as nouns so they can be described, linked, measured, or used as causes.

This involves changing a process into a participant.

This table has a process only (a single verb).

Nominalisation Continuum

Verb (Action)	-ing Ending (Less Formal)	-ation / Technical Ending (More Formal)
Condense	Condensing	Condensation
Evaporate	Evaporating	Evaporation
Filter	Filtering	Filtration

Beyond the standard -ing and -ation suffixes, science often uses more irregular nominalisation shifts to turn processes into participants.

Irregular Science Nominalisations: Years 7-9

Verb (Process)	-ing Ending (Less Formal)	Formal Technical Noun
Erode	Eroding	Erosion
Erupt	Erupting	Eruption
Absorb	Absorbing	Absorption
Evolve	Evolving	Evolution
Reproduce	Reproducing	Reproduction
Expand	Expanding	Expansion
Diffuse	Diffusing	Diffusion
Compress	Compressing	Compression
Divide	Dividing	Division
Grow	Growing	Growth
Warm	Warming	Warmth
Weigh	Weighing	Weight

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This table begins with a participant + process (a noun + verb), forming a full clause.

Process to Participant

Everyday (process)	Scientific (participant)
Plates collide	The collision of plates
Crust spreads	The spreading of crust
Plates converge	The convergence of plates

In SFL terms:

• Verbs realise processes

• Nominalisations realise participants

• This allows processes to be treated as things

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1.2. Why science uses this pattern

Turning processes into participants allows scientists to:

• explain cause and effect

• compare processes

• build chains of reasoning

• write more formally and precisely

How Nominalisation Supports Scientific Explanation

Purpose	Everyday clause (process as verb)	Scientific clause (process as participant)
Explain cause and effect	Plates collide, forming mountains.	The collision of plates forms mountains.
Write more formally and precisely	VOlcanos erupt suddenly, causing earthquakes.	The sudden eruption of volcanoes causes earthquakes.