One paragraph, two versions
Both versions below are correct and say the same thing. They differ in what the reader learns. Nominal style packs actions into nouns and needs empty verbs such as procedere a to carry them. Verbal style names the actor and the tense.
Report to the members
Nominal
In seguito all'approvazione del bilancio da parte dell'assemblea, si è proceduto all'assunzione di due nuovi dipendenti e alla riduzione dell'orario di apertura.
Following the approval of the budget by the general meeting, the hiring of two new staff and a reduction of opening hours were carried out.
Who did the hiring stays open.
La mancata comunicazione del cambio di indirizzo comporta la sospensione del servizio.
Failure to notify a change of address will result in suspension of the service.
Verbal
Dopo che l'assemblea ha approvato il bilancio, abbiamo assunto due nuovi dipendenti e ridotto l'orario di apertura.
After the general meeting approved the budget, we hired two new staff and cut our opening hours.
We act, in a clear order.
Se non ci comunica che ha cambiato indirizzo, sospendiamo il servizio.
If you don't tell us you've moved, we'll suspend the service.
What each version does
Effects compared
| Aspect | Nominal | Verbal |
|---|---|---|
| Who acts | can disappear | is the subject |
| Time | left open | carried by the tense |
| Negation | mancato, mancata + noun | non + verb |
| Tone | detached, impersonal, official | direct, lively, easy to follow |
| Fits | headings, bullet points, contracts, minutes | explanations, emails, speeches, conversation |
For an action that did not happen, nominal style has its own device: mancato before the noun, agreeing like an adjective. il mancato pagamento means "the fact that nobody paid", la mancata consegna "the fact that nothing was delivered". English failure to and non- do the same job.
Unpacking empty verbs
Nominal style relies on support verbs that carry hardly any meaning. When you switch to verbal style, the noun turns back into a verb and the support verb disappears.
Support verb and plain verb
| Nominal | Verbal |
|---|---|
| effettuare un controllo | controllare |
| procedere alla verifica | verificare |
| provvedere al pagamento | pagare |
| dare inizio ai lavori | iniziare i lavori |
| essere in possesso di | avere |
Rewriting both ways
Il tecnico provvederà alla sostituzione del contatore entro venerdì.
The technician will carry out the replacement of the meter by Friday.
Il tecnico sostituirà il contatore entro venerdì.
The technician will replace the meter by Friday.
Plain English style guides push hard against carry out a check and effect a payment. Italian official writing tolerates far more of it, so a verbal rewrite reads as modern and clear rather than as too casual.
