Download Gerunds and Abstract Nouns

Gerunds and
Abstract Nouns
Nouns in Academic Writing
Attribution theory states that learning can be
affected by attributing it to lack of ability or lack of effort.
When people believe that they did badly at some task
because they were not born with the ability, they tend to
become discouraged and give up. In other words, if a
person thinks ability is something you are born with, trying
harder and making mistakes seems like a waste of time.
This belief is characterized by statements such as “I’m no
good at that” or “I’m bad at that.” They see their mistakes
as more proof that they are not good at something and
will never be good at something. On the other hand,
people who do not attribute their mistakes to lack of ability
usually welcome mistakes because they see them as
information to help them figure out what they did wrong
and how to correct them. This sort of attitude is defined by
wanting to try new things and having learning goals. The
goal for this kind of student is to learn, not to look smart.
The good news is that people’s negative beliefs about
learning can be changed by training them to see
intelligence as a muscle that can grow with exercise.
Attribution theory states that learning can be
affected by attributing it to lack of ability or lack of effort.
When people believe that they did badly at some task
because they were not born with the ability, they tend to
become discouraged and give up. In other words, if a
person thinks ability is something you are born with, trying
harder and making mistakes seems like a waste of time.
This belief is characterized by statements such as “I’m no
good at that” or “I’m bad at that.” They see their mistakes
as more proof that they are not good at something and
will never be good at something. On the other hand,
people who do not attribute their mistakes to lack of ability
usually welcome mistakes because they see them as
information to help them figure out what they did wrong
and how to correct them. This attitude is defined by
wanting to try new things and having learning goals. The
goal for this kind of student is to learn, not to look smart.
The good news is that people’s negative beliefs about
learning can be changed by training them to see
intelligence as a muscle that can grow with exercise.
Research has shown…
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Gerunds and abstract nouns are very
common in academic writing.
Many non-native speakers of English use a lot
fewer gerunds and abstract nouns than
native speakers.
Their writing appears to be far less academic
than is expected in college and university
settings.
Their writing appears to be childish and
simple.
Gerunds
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Gerunds are derived from verbs.
They usually refer to processes, or things that
people do.
Ex. Reading “The Effort Effect” made me think
about the difference between memorizing
and critical thinking.
In other words:
Because I read “The Effort Effect”, I
thought about the difference between
when we memorize something and when
we think critically about it.
Be careful
When verbs become gerunds, they keep
their “partners”
a. Transitive verbs that become gerunds often
keep their objects.
 Ex. After I read “The Effort Effect”, I thought
about my beliefs about how we learn.
 After reading “The Effort Effect, I thought
about my beliefs about learning.
b. Verbs with preposition phrases keep them.
 Ex. I reflected on my learning experiences. It
made me realize something.
 Reflecting on my learning experiences made
me realize something.
1.
c. Sometimes the adverbs stay as adverbs, but
usually they become adjectives.
Ex. When people study immediately before a
quiz, it is usually not that helpful.
Studying immediately before a quiz is usually
not that helpful.
Ex. Students who frequently read in English can
improve their vocabulary and grammar.
Frequent reading in English can improve
vocabulary and grammar.
 The
subject of the sentence with the
gerund can become a possessive
adjective (e.g., my, her, his, their)
3.
The “subject” of a gerund may be found in the
sentence, or you may have to use logic and your
world knowledge.
What’s the subject of the gerund in each sentence
below?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Reading “The Effort Effect” made me think about
the difference between memorizing and critical
thinking.
Their learning was affected by studying in the
United States.
She thanked her students for working so hard.
Memorizing is not as important in the United
States.
4.
Often there is a cause-effect
relationship.
Ex. If you change your perspective on
intelligence, it may help you learn better.
Changing your perspective on intelligence
may help you learn better.
Let’s Practice!
Abstract Nouns
Another way to discuss complex relationships
between ideas is to take verbs or adjectives and
turn them into nouns. By doing so, you increase
the number of ideas you can include in one
clause or sentence.
Ex. She reflected on her beliefs about learning. This
caused her to recognize that she needed to change
them.
Her reflection on her beliefs about learning caused
her to recognize that she needed to change them.
NOT She reflected on her beliefs about learning
caused her to recognize that she needed to change
them.
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Grammar issues with abstract
nouns
1.
The subject of the sentence with the
adjective or verb can become a
possessive adjective (e.g., my, her, his,
their)
Ex. He depended on Google Translator. It
stopped him from learning.
His dependence on Google Translator
stopped him from learning.
2.
Abstract nouns also usually keep the
partners of the verbs and adjectives they
are derived from.
EX. He was familiar with the topic. That
contributed to our discussion.
His familiarity with the topic contributed to
our discussion.
3.
When you change a transitive verb with
a direct object into an abstract noun,
you must use of with the abstract noun.
EX. They discussed the problem. It lasted
for 3 hours.
Their discussion of the problem lasted for 3
hours.
When you change an adjective to an
abstract noun, human subjects become
possessive and non-human subjects
become part of of-phrases.*
Ex. We liked it. The doctor was reliable.
We liked the doctor’s reliability.
Ex. An earthquake is possible. It made us worry.
The possibility of an earthquake made us worry.
*If the human subject is 3 words or longer, we
usually use the of-phrase.
Ex. We liked the reliability of our friend’s doctor.
4.
Let’s Practice!
 But
first…. A quiz!!