When readers try to find out what is happening or being done, they naturally look in the verbs. However, in science and technology, many tend to place the action into nouns rather than the verb. Misplacing action in this way is commonly known as nominalization. If you hide actions in noun phrases, you make your readers work harder.

To correct this problem, search for noun phrases that have the nominalized form of a potential verb. Nominalizations generally end in -tion and less often in -ing.

Overuse of "do", "make", “perform”, "achieve", "accomplish"

The most common way to hide action, is to used nominalized form of a verb with the verbs do, make, perform, achieve, accomplish, carry out, or conduct.

Action hidden in noun: Verification of these properties can be done using linear algebraic techniques.   Action put into verb: These properties can be verified using linear algebraic techniques.

Hiding action in “There is...”

Another common way to hide action is introduce a nominalized form of a verb after the dummy subject There is/are.

Action hidden in noun: There has been continuous improvement in economic performance since 2002.   Action put into verb: Economic performance has continuously improved since 2002.

Alternatively, the action may be hidden in a relative clause. (See also avoiding weak verbs)

Action hidden in relative clause: There are several factors that can increase the complexity and number of components within a product.   Action put into verb: Several factors can increase the complexity and number of components within a product.