📌 Tip: This is part of our Complete B2 German Grammar Guide, which includes comprehensive tables, additional exercises, and full exam preparation strategies.
German B2 grammar: nominaler Stil (noun-based style) vs verbaler Stil (verb-based style). In German, many verbs have corresponding nouns — for example, versuchen → der Versuch, ansteigen → der Anstieg. You can express the same idea using either the verbal form (with a conjugated verb) or the nominal form (with a noun phrase).
Examples:
- Nominaler Stil: Mein Versuch, das Auto zu reparieren.
- Verbaler Stil: Ich versuche, das Auto zu reparieren.
The nominal style is more common in formal and academic German, while the verbal style is typical in everyday speech. Converting between the two requires changing the noun into its corresponding verb form and restructuring the sentence.
Fill the empty space: convert each sentence into the opposite style. If the nominal form is given, write the verbal equivalent. If the verbal form is given, write the nominal equivalent.
How do nominal and verbal styles work in German?
The nominal style (Nominalstil) turns actions into nouns, making sentences more compact and formal. The verbal style (Verbalstil) uses conjugated verbs, creating natural and conversational sentences. In academic writing, German often favors the nominal style — for instance, die Durchführung der Analyse instead of die Analyse wird durchgeführt.
When should you use nominal vs verbal style?
Use the verbal style in everyday conversations, emails, and informal writing. Use the nominal style in academic papers, official documents, and formal presentations. Mastering both styles is essential for the B2 German exam, particularly in the writing and speaking sections where the task requirements may specify one form over the other.
Mastered nominal and verbal style? Try more free B2 German exercises or get 1-on-1 coaching with a private German tutor in Munich.
