Why your writing might be haunted by zombie nouns
In short: Helen Sword explains how nominalizations can drain the life from your prose. This lesson reveals why these linguistic structures turn clear communication into dense, confusing verbosity.
Nominalizations, which Sword labels 'zombie nouns,' occur when a verb or adjective is transformed into a noun. While they might seem sophisticated, they often strip away the action and directness of a sentence, making writing feel heavy and difficult to navigate.
The lesson encourages writers to identify and eliminate these elongating structures to maintain straightforward prose. By keeping nouns away from unnecessary nominalizations, you can ensure your writing remains active and accessible rather than burdened by linguistic clutter.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Beware of nominalizations (AKA zombie nouns) - Helen Sword
- Also: Beware of nominalizations (AKA zombie nouns) - Helen Sword | TED-Ed
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