2. Mixtures: 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: Solids melt

Nominalisation: The melting of solids

Verb: Water evaporates from the mixture

Nominalisation: The evaporation of water from the mixture

Grammar Toolkit: Packing the Noun Group

To build a complex scientific noun group, use probe questions to identify the different parts of the clause. You can then “pack” these answers together.

Example Clause: Solids melt

Example Nominalisation: The melting of solids

Phase Change Processes

Rewrite each clause as a noun group.

Process to Participant
Everyday (process)	Scientific (participant)
Liquids freeze
Steam condenses
Gas particles diffuse
Dry ice sublimes
Gas deposits as a solid

Reveal Answer Key

Model Answer

Everyday (process)	Scientific (participant)
Liquids freeze	The freezing of liquids
Steam condenses	The condensation of steam
Gas particles diffuse	The diffusion of gas particles
Dry ice sublimes	The sublimation of dry ice
Gas deposits as a solid	The deposition of gas as a solid

Separating Mixtures

Rewrite each clause as a noun group.

Process to Participant
Everyday (process)	Scientific (participant)
The lab technician filters the suspension
Liquids distil at different temperatures
Sediments settle at the bottom
The machine centrifuges the blood

Reveal Answer Key

Model Answer

Everyday (process)	Scientific (participant)
The lab technician filters the suspension	The filtration of the suspension by the lab technician
Liquids distil at different temperatures	The distillation of liquids at different temperatures
Sediments settle at the bottom	The settling of sediments at the bottom
The new machine centrifuges the blood	The centrifugation of blood by the new machine