Page 3 - Lesson Notes

For example, "The film impacted the students," can be changed to, "The film had an
impact on the students."
For instance, “The athlete prepared to run,” can be changed to, “The athlete prepared
for a run.”
RULE3:Avoiding Common Mistakes
 Consult a dictionary to double check your suffixes. If English is your second language,
which suffix to use when converting verbs can get confusing. As there are no hard and
fast rules when it comes to which suffix to use, don't be embarrassed to consult a
dictionary after changing a verb to a noun. It can never hurt to double check.

 Avoid conversations that sound like jargon. Many people consider changing verbs to
nouns a form of poor writing. This is because it often sounds jargon heavy. Terms used
in business, computing, or sports can sound like meaningless jargon if you use the noun
form over the verb form.

For example, take the sentence, "The boss conducted an investigation about the
allegations." It's a little wordy, and it's easier to simply write, "The boss investigated the
allegations."
For example, while you could say, “The team did a review of the tape,” it doesn’t flow
well. Instead, go with, “The team reviewed the tape.”

 Use conversions only if it better conveys your tone. Using nouns as verbs can be helpful
if you're trying to sound less emotional and more objective. If dealing with sensitive
information, for example, it can be beneficial to sound a little technical. Be aware of
when you're using conversions and whether they convey the proper tone.
For example, take the sentence, "He retaliated by filing a lawsuit." As this is a sensitive
situation, you may want to phrase it in gentler terms. You can use the noun form to
write the more played down sentence, "The lawsuit may have been a form of
retaliation."