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← Level C lessonsMOUNT ETNA · LEVEL C · UNIT 19

Reported an Ash Plume Reaching 4 km: Nominalization Without Tense Shift

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Words from the text: reopening, full suspension, flight operations, diversion, carrier, sector, itinerary, pose a hazard to, ground transportation, prevailing wind conditions, Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA)

A In formal aviation and news reports, a reporting verb such as report, confirm, announce or note can be followed directly by a noun phrase + -ing participle instead of that + clause. This is called nominalization. The time reference stays exactly the same as in the original statement — there is no backshift of tense, unlike the reported speech with that that you met in Unit 12.

INGV reported that the ash plume reached approximately 4 kilometers above sea level. → INGV reported an ash plume reaching approximately 4 kilometers above sea level.

SAC said that all flight operations were suspended because of volcanic ash and prevailing wind conditions. → SAC announced a full suspension of flight operations because of volcanic ash and prevailing wind conditions.

Номинализация убирает that и сдвиг времён: глагол сворачивается в причастие -ing (noun + -ing) или в существительное (noun + of + noun). Время действия остаётся таким же, как в оригинальном высказывании.

B A second, very common pattern turns the reported verb itself into a noun and links it to the rest of the information with of: report/confirm/announce + noun + of + noun phrase. Many of these nouns are the TARGET words of this unit. This pattern is typical of news headlines and official airport statements.

suspendsuspension
divertdiversion
reopenreopening
cancelcancellation
restrictrestriction

Officials reported that airlines diverted ten flights to other airports. → Officials reported the diversion of ten flights to other airports.

The airport confirmed that flight operations would reopen on September 27. → The airport confirmed the reopening of flight operations on September 27.

C News-style reports often combine nominalization with the cause and hedging language from Units 14–17: the nominalized noun phrase becomes the subject or object of another clause, keeping the whole sentence compact and impersonal, exactly as in real INGV- or SAC-style bulletins.

A red VONA warned that the ash plume posed a hazard to aircraft in the area. → A red VONA warned of an ash plume posing a hazard to aircraft in the area.

SAC confirmed that flight operations would reopen gradually, depending on wind direction. → SAC confirmed the gradual reopening of flight operations, depending on wind direction.

Exercises

Write your answers below, then open Answers. There is no automatic checking. Entries are not saved when you leave this page.

19.1 Rewrite each sentence using nominalization: noun + -ing instead of that + clause. Keep the same time reference.

Example: INGV reported that the ash plume reached approximately 4 kilometers above sea level. → INGV reported an ash plume reaching approximately 4 kilometers above sea level.

  1. The observatory confirmed that the cloud was moving south.
  2. Officials noted that the restrictions were affecting sectors C1 and B3.
  3. SAC reported that ash emissions were continuing throughout the day.
  4. INGV reported that the plume was reaching higher altitudes overnight.
  5. The airport confirmed that wind conditions were pushing the cloud toward the coast.
  6. Controllers reported that ash was affecting sector B3 directly.
Answers

For open questions, these are model answers. Other answers may also be correct.

  1. The observatory confirmed the cloud moving south.
  2. Officials noted the restrictions affecting sectors C1 and B3.
  3. SAC reported ash emissions continuing throughout the day.
  4. INGV reported the plume reaching higher altitudes overnight.
  5. The airport confirmed wind conditions pushing the cloud toward the coast.
  6. Controllers reported ash affecting sector B3 directly.

19.2 Rewrite each sentence using nominalization: noun (from the box in section B) + of + noun phrase, instead of that + clause.

Example: SAC said that all flight operations would be suspended until 12:00 local time on September 27. → SAC announced the full suspension of flight operations until 12:00 local time on September 27.

  1. Italian media reported that carriers diverted at least 10 flights to other airports.
  2. The airport confirmed that flight operations would reopen once ash levels decreased.
  3. KM Malta Airlines said that it canceled two flights because of the volcanic activity.
  4. Officials reported that airspace sectors C1 and B3 were restricted during the eruption.
  5. SAC confirmed that flight operations would restart gradually after the ash cleared.
  6. Brussels Airlines said that it canceled its Catania-Brussels service scheduled for September 26.
Answers

For open questions, these are model answers. Other answers may also be correct.

  1. Italian media reported the diversion of at least 10 flights to other airports.
  2. The airport confirmed the reopening of flight operations once ash levels decreased.
  3. KM Malta Airlines announced the cancellation of two flights because of the volcanic activity.
  4. Officials reported the restriction of airspace sectors C1 and B3 during the eruption.
  5. SAC confirmed the reopening of flight operations after the ash cleared.
  6. Brussels Airlines announced the cancellation of its Catania-Brussels service scheduled for September 26.

19.3 These sentences use nominalization, as in a news report. Rewrite them as reported speech with that, making the necessary tense shift (see Unit 12).

Example: INGV reported an ash plume reaching approximately 4 kilometers above sea level. → INGV reported that the ash plume was reaching approximately 4 kilometers above sea level.

  1. SAC announced the full suspension of flight operations until 12:00 local time.
  2. The airport confirmed the reopening of flight operations for September 27.
  3. Officials reported the diversion of ten flights to other Italian airports.
  4. KM Malta Airlines announced the cancellation of its two Catania services.
  5. The observatory reported the ash cloud moving south.
  6. Brussels Airlines announced the cancellation of its Catania-Brussels service.
Answers

For open questions, these are model answers. Other answers may also be correct.

  1. SAC announced that all flight operations would be suspended until 12:00 local time.
  2. The airport confirmed that flight operations would reopen on September 27.
  3. Officials reported that carriers had diverted ten flights to other Italian airports.
  4. KM Malta Airlines announced that it had canceled its two Catania services.
  5. The observatory reported that the ash cloud was moving south.
  6. Brussels Airlines announced that it had canceled its Catania-Brussels service.

19.4 Use the notes to write a short INGV/SAC-style news summary (2–3 sentences) using nominalization instead of full that-clauses. Use at least two TARGET or ANCHOR words from this unit in each summary.

Example: Notes: INGV said the ash plume reached about 4 km. The cloud was moving south. A red VONA was issued because the ash posed a hazard to aircraft. → INGV reported an ash plume reaching about 4 kilometers above sea level, with the cloud moving south. A red VONA was issued because of an ash plume posing a hazard to aircraft.

  1. Notes: Mount Etna erupted again. INGV said the ash plume reached about 5 kilometers. The cloud was moving toward the Ionian Sea. Catania Airport confirmed a full suspension of flight operations until further notice.
  2. Notes: SAC confirmed the airport would reopen on September 28. Several carriers reported the diversion of flights to Palermo. The observatory noted ash emissions continuing overnight.
  3. Notes: KM Malta Airlines announced it canceled two flights. Brussels Airlines said about 140 passengers were affected, facing changes to their itinerary and needing ground transportation. The airport said capacity was reduced before the full suspension.
Answers

For open questions, these are model answers. Other answers may also be correct.

  1. INGV reported an ash plume reaching about 5 kilometers above sea level, with the cloud moving toward the Ionian Sea. Catania Airport confirmed a full suspension of flight operations until further notice.
  2. SAC confirmed the reopening of the airport on September 28. Several carriers reported the diversion of flights to Palermo, while the observatory noted ash emissions continuing overnight.
  3. KM Malta Airlines announced the cancellation of two flights, and Brussels Airlines reported around 140 passengers affected, facing changes to their itinerary and needing ground transportation. The airport noted reduced capacity before the full suspension of flight operations.