One paragraph, two builds
In nominal style the actions sit in nouns, and a few colourless verbs hold the sentence together. In verbal style each verb carries an action, and the people acting appear as subjects. Both are correct Spanish. Text type and purpose decide which version fits.
Nominal
La reducción del horario de la biblioteca provocó la protesta de los usuarios y la recogida de más de dos mil firmas.
The reduction in the library's opening hours led to protests by users and the collection of over two thousand signatures.
Compact and factual, who cut the hours stays open.
Verbal
Cuando el ayuntamiento redujo el horario de la biblioteca, los usuarios protestaron y recogieron más de dos mil firmas.
When the council cut the library's opening hours, users protested and collected over two thousand signatures.
Narrative, with clear responsibility.
What the choice does
| Feature | Nominal | Verbal |
|---|---|---|
| Density | lots of content in few words | more words, easier to read |
| Who acts | often hidden | visible as subject |
| Time and sequence | vague, static | clear through tense and conjunction |
| Typical texts | titles, abstracts, reports, administration | speeches, features, emails, explanations |
Unpacking nominal sentences
When a text gets too heavy, three moves help. Each one turns a noun back into a verb.
Drop the light verb
Verbs like llevar a cabo, proceder a or efectuar carry almost no meaning. The action noun behind them becomes the verb itself, just as carry out an analysis of becomes analyse.
| Nominal | Verbal |
|---|---|
| llevar a cabo un análisis de | analizar |
| proceder a la apertura de | abrir |
| efectuar el pago de | pagar |
| dar comienzo a | empezar |
Break up de chains
Where English stacks nouns, Spanish links them with de. From three links on, the reader easily loses the thread. A verb in the middle breaks the chain.
El plan prevé la mejora de la gestión de la recogida de residuos del barrio.
The plan provides for the improvement of the management of waste collection in the neighbourhood.
El plan prevé organizar mejor la recogida de residuos del barrio.
The plan aims to organise waste collection in the neighbourhood better.
Bring back who acts
por parte de is the telltale sign of a noun that really wants to be a subject with a verb. A subordinate clause turns it back into subject and verb.
Tras la aprobación del presupuesto por parte del pleno, comenzarán las obras.
Following approval of the budget by the council, the building work will begin.
En cuanto el pleno apruebe el presupuesto, comenzarán las obras.
As soon as the council approves the budget, the building work will begin.
When the noun leaves open who acts
An action noun with de can refer to the doer or to the person affected, just like English the minister's criticism. Only the verbal version settles it. In a report that may be intended; in a contract or a news item it is a risk.
La crítica del ministro dominó la sesión.
The criticism of the minister dominated the session.
Did the minister criticise, or was he criticised?
El ministro criticó el proyecto, y eso dominó la sesión.
The minister criticised the project, and that dominated the session.
Reading one, the minister acts.
Criticaron al ministro, y eso dominó la sesión.
The minister was criticised, and that dominated the session.
Reading two, the minister is on the receiving end.
