nature There are several different ways to use the word "nature." It can be used to describe areas and situations that human beings don’t control. - Wild forces in nature can be quite destructive.
- Most people have an appreciation of nature.
- Nature has a way of restoring itself.
- The beauty of nature is impossible to duplicate exactly, yet we try.
The word "nature" can also be used to describe a person’s character: - It’s not in her nature to get so upset.
- He has a very pleasant nature.
- It’s in Mary’s nature to be generous.
Sometimes this word refers to a situation or a reason: - What is the nature of this visit?
- The nature of the police officer’s questions raised the curiosity of people nearby.
- There was a sudden snowstorm. Things of this nature don’t happen frequently here.
- It’s in the nature of science to reduce things to their simplest forms.
- We have to let nature take its course. (Whatever happens will happen and we can’t stop it.)
The words "nature" and "natural" are adjectives: - A nature center is a place where visitors can see plants and animals in their native habitat.
- Steve and Linda like to go for nature walks.
- They’re nature lovers.
- Natural forests are worth preserving.
- An angry outburst was the natural result of her frustration.
- Rick is a natural when it comes to baseball. (He’s very good at it.)
- Sarah prefers a natural look for her hair. (She doesn’t want it to look as if it’s styled.)
- Her hair has a natural curl.
The word "naturally" is an adverb. - The color of her skin naturally gets darker whenever she visits her parents in Florida.
- Naturally clean water is getting harder to find. Most of what we drink has been treated.
- He’s naturally suited for this position. (He fits right it.)
- Parents are naturally protective of their children.
- We’ve been unnaturally busy at work lately. (The situation is different from what normally happens.)
- Our boss is unnaturally pleasant today. Normally, he’s short with everyone. (To be short is to be rude, disrespectful, or mean.)
Click here to learn more words. February 14, 2014 | 