Conversion: Meaning, Definition, Examples, Definition, & Formation

Conversion is a word formation where a word changes its part of speech without changint its existing spelling or form. In simple words, a word may go from a noun to a verb or a verb to a noun, or even a noun to an adjective without altering the word. Some people also refer to this as zero derivation and word class shift.

Conversion is common as it allows speakers to create new uses for familiar words, making the language more fluid and easy to adapt. Conversion often arises from technological or cultural changes. Have a look at the following examples to understand it better: 

Example of conversion:

• Google (noun) -> I’ll just Google it later. (verb)
• Stone (noun) - > That is a stone wall right there. (adjective)
• Daily (adjective) - > I saw the news about the accident in the daily. (noun, referring to a newspaper"

As per the Cambridge Dictionary, conversion in grammar is defined as “a change of a word from one word class to another.”

Example: Beware of external downloads. They may have a virus. (downloads from the verb download)

Origin of Word: Middle English - from Anglo-French, from Latin Conversion-, conversio, from convertere.

What is Conversion

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Conversion in English grammar is an integral linguistic tool that enhances grammar and language as it allows the formation of new words without making any changes to their spelling or structure or adding any suffixes or prefixes. Check out the importance of conversion of words:

#1: Helps in improving vocabulary

You can improve your vocabulary by learning how to use conversions in English, and what is word formation.

#2: Increases language efficiency

By mastering word class conversion, one enables a smoother and quicker communication by reusing familiar terms in new roles. For example:

• Email (noun) - > Jane emailed the MOM of the meeting yesterday.
• Bridge (noun) -> This meeting will bridge the gap between the senior management and the team.

In the above example, using email as a verb draws a clear image without using any further words or context.

#3: Improves creativity in written & spoken English

By learning the conversion of speech in English, one can enhance their creativity in speech and writing. This will come in especially handy to aspiring writers and content writers as conversions open the door for new ways of playing with the language.

Examples:

• He bottled up his anger and gulped it down. (bottle (n) - > bottled (v))
• You can pocket the change after the purchase. (pocket (n) - > pocket (v)) 

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Let us take a look types of conversion in English and understand how to use conversions in sentences:

# 1: Noun to Verb Conversion (Verbification)

This is one of the most common types of conversion. In this, a noun is used as a verb. Have a look at the example below to understand noun-to-verb conversion words

Examples:

• Email (noun): Jane emailed her resignation later yesterday.
• Chair (noun): Ruby will chair the panel in the next session.

In the above examples, both email and chair, which are nouns, are used as verbs.

# 2: Verb to Noun Conversion (Nominalisation)

In this word conversion, a verb is used as a noun. When a verb is used as a noun, it is also referred to as nominalisation. Look at the following conversion examples to understand this better:

Examples:

• Run (verb): Sage went for a run
• Call (verb): He got a call from his mother about the dinner.

# 3: Adjective to Noun

Similar to the above two cases, adjectives can also be used as nouns, often at the time of describing people or categories.

Examples:

• Rich: The rich keep getting richer.
• Dead: We must not speak ill of the dead.

Example of Conversion in Grammar

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Conversion of words makes your phrases more natural and “native-like”. Check out the points below to know about the usage of word formation (conversion):

# 1: Improves Academic & Professional Writing: By converting verbs/ adjectives to nouns, one can come off as more formal or objective and it also helps in avoiding repetitive sentences.

Example:

• The HR decided to implement a new policy starting this week. (implement is used as a verb)
• The implementation of the new policy was met with dissatisfied groans. (Implementation is used as a noun)

# 2: From changing nouns to verbs, the sentence's tone can go from formal to casual. This is helpful in daily conversations.

Example:

• When in doubt, I just Google it up.
• I don’t feel like going out can we just Netflix at home?

Conversion is changing a word’s part of speech without changing its form. Let’s look at the following word conversion examples for better clarity:

Examples of Word Conversion from Noun to Verb:

• Google: Can he not just Google it up, if it seems so confusing?
• Host: Shane will host Thanksgiving dinner this year.
• Place: I asked him to place the glass carefully.

Examples of Word Conversion from Verb to Noun

• I felt better after having a deep talk with him.
• Let us go for a ride once you are free.
• Elizabeth stop smiling after getting a text from her friend.

Examples of Word Conversion from Adjective to Noun

• Final: Harry made it to the final.
• Old: The old are frail and weak now.
• Poor: The poor go on for days without a proper meal.

Examples of Word Conversion from Adjective to Verb

• Will you be quiet for a second?
• I’ll warm the dinner for you.

Are you looking to improve your grammar skills or trying to understand the topic conversion in English? Here’s a list of some of the best books for conversion in English:

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