Grammatical metaphor constitutes a major feature in the evolution of scientific writing, most notably in the form of the nominalization of processes. Examination of a small diachronic sample suggests that this is not a simple linear development. Examples of nominalization can be found in Chaucer (1391), but the specific nature of this text must be noted. Prior to Isaac Newton (1730), many examples can be found in the experimental writing of Robert Boyle (1660), though not in the scientific description of Henry Power (1664). 'The Endeavour Journal of Joseph Banks' (1768-1771) also contains little; Charles Darwin's (1839) later similar text has rather more, though not as much as in the experimental writing of Michael Faraday (1838). The difference between the physical and biological sciences seems to have disappeared by the early 20th century, by which time biology had become experimental. The major development during the 20th century is the extension of nominalization from the function of head to that of modifier in the noun group. Adapted from the source document. (LLBA 2000, vol. 34, n. 2)