Nouns from Verbs

Hello everyone,

I was wondering what your methods are for deriving nouns from verbs.  More
specifically, how to derive instances of verbal activities from verbal
roots/stems -- i.e., "(a) kick" from "(to) kick".  My language, OurTongue,*
already has a general derivation method for abstract/durative activities: a
masdar form in -ma (e.g., daruma "being afraid, having fear").  But most
languages have some nouns derived from verbs which mean "instance of
[verbing]" like the example above.  I'd like to keep the new forms distinct
from the verbal roots.  Also, a question: which is generally more common,
nouns from verbs or verbs from nouns?

- Rob

* Yes, the name is corny.  Even I'm getting tired of it.  I promise to
change it, once I figure out the word for "tongue".  It won't be long,
now...

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