Pinker writes a useful explanation: > A process called nominalization takes a perfectly spry verb and embalms it into a lifeless noun by adding a suffix like –

Pinker writes a useful explanation: > A process called nominalization takes a perfectly spry verb and embalms it into a lifeless noun by adding a suffix like –ance, –ment, or –ation. Instead of affirming an idea, you effect its affirmation; rather than postponing something, you implement a postponement. Helen Sword calls them "zombie nouns" because they lumber across the scene without a conscious agent directing their motion.[0] There is a lot more detail in his book "Sense of Style: The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century" [0]: https://stevenpinker.com/files/pinker/files/why_academics_stink_at_writing.pdf https://stevenpinker.com/files/pinker/files/why_academics_st...