A nominalisation is a type of abstract noun. (Is that plain English?) In other words, it is the name of something that isn't a physical object but a process, technique or emotion.

Nominalisations are formed from verbs. For example:

So what's wrong with them?

The problem is that often they are used instead of the verbs they come from. And because they are merely the names of things, they sound as if nothing is actually happening in the sentence. Like passive verbs, too many of them make writing very dull and heavy-going.

Here are some examples.

We had a discussion about the matter

• We discussed the matter

There will be a stoppage of trains by drivers

• Drivers will stop the trains

The implementation of the method has been done by a team

• A team has implemented the method

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