Deutsch · B2 · grammar · 4 minutes
Nominal style and verb alternatives
Recognize dense noun phrases and rewrite them with verbs when clarity matters.
Understand the choice
Administrative and academic German often concentrates information in nouns such as Genehmigung, Durchführung, and Auszahlung. Understanding improves when each is mentally restored to genehmigen, durchführen, or auszahlen.
Core rule: Formal nominal style packages actions as nouns, often with genitive complements; verbal style expands them into clauses.
Notice it in context
Nach der Genehmigung des Antrags erfolgt die Auszahlung innerhalb einer Woche.
After approval of the application, payment occurs within one week.
Genehmigung and Auszahlung are event nouns; des Antrags is genitive; erfolgt is the light formal verb.
Die Durchführung der Studie dauerte sechs Monate.
Conducting the study took six months.
Durchführung nominalizes durchführen and takes genitive der Studie.
Nachdem die Behörde den Antrag genehmigt hat, zahlt sie das Geld aus.
After the authority approves the application, it pays out the money.
The verbal rewrite exposes actor and timeline clearly.
What to remember
- Nouns ending -ung are feminine and frequently derive from verbs.
- Erfolgen is formal “take place/occur,” not succeed; Erfolg haben means succeed.
Common trap: Do not imitate nominal density when a direct verb would make actor and action clearer.