nature

nature — noun

1. Everything on Earth that exists without being made or changed by people, coverin

1.名詞A2
釋義

Everything on Earth that exists without being made or changed by people, covering all living things, landscapes, weather, and natural processes.

例句

The Watanabe family spent the weekend hiking in nature, far from any city.

prepositional phrase: in nature

Learning about nature in school taught Liang how seeds grow into trees.

uncountable, no article

同義詞
  • the environment

    more scientific and focused on ecosystems and human impact

  • the outdoors

    informal; refers more to being outside than to the natural world as a system

  • the wild

    refers specifically to areas not settled or controlled by people

反義詞
  • civilization

    human-built environments such as cities and towns

文法句型

in nature

nature + verb

用法筆記

Uncountable noun — do not use with 'a' or 'the' when referring to the natural world in general ('spend time in nature', not 'in the nature'). Use 'a nature reserve' or 'the natural world' when a specific area is meant.

常見錯誤

❌We went to the nature for a picnic.
✅We went for a picnic in the countryside.
💡'nature' as the natural world does not take 'the' and is not a destination you visit.
❌The nature is beautiful in spring.
✅Nature is beautiful in spring.
💡No definite article needed when speaking about the natural world in general.

2. The powerful force that controls the physical world and living things, sometimes

2.名詞B1
釋義

The powerful force that controls the physical world and living things, sometimes thought of as a force with its own will or as a mother-like figure (Mother Nature).

例句

The earthquake showed how powerful nature can be when it releases its energy.

personified: nature as agent

Farmers in Kabir's village depend on nature to bring rain for their crops each season.

同義詞
  • Mother Nature

    a personified name for nature; more informal and figurative

  • the elements

    refers specifically to weather forces like wind, rain, and snow

文法句型

Nature + verb (personified)

the forces of nature

用法筆記

Often capitalized as 'Nature' when strongly personified, especially in literary or poetic contexts. Common in fixed phrases such as 'the forces of nature,' 'Mother Nature,' and 'let nature take its course.'

常見錯誤

❌Nature's power were scary.
✅Nature's power was scary.
💡'nature' is uncountable and takes a singular verb.

3. The basic character or set of qualities that makes a thing or situation what it

3.名詞B2
釋義

The basic character or set of qualities that makes a thing or situation what it is and distinguishes it from others.

例句

The true nature of the problem became clear only after the team studied the data.

pattern: the nature of [something]

Scientists are still trying to understand the exact nature of dark matter in the universe.

同義詞
  • essence

    more abstract and philosophical; the most fundamental quality

  • character

    slightly more general; can also refer to moral qualities

  • makeup

    informal; the combination of qualities that form something

  • constitution

    formal; the structure or composition of something

文法句型

the nature of [something]

[something] is [adjective] in nature

用法筆記

Common in formal, academic, and professional writing. Frequently modified by an adjective ('the precise nature,' 'the changing nature,' 'the legal nature'). Distinguish from sense 5: sense 3 describes the essential quality of a thing, while sense 5 specifically describes a person's inborn character.

常見錯誤

❌The nature of the job are demanding.
✅The nature of the job is demanding.
💡The subject is 'the nature' (singular), not 'the job.'
❌It is nature of the process to be slow.
✅It is in the nature of the process to be slow.
💡The preposition 'in' is required.

4. Used in fixed expressions to say that something is a normal, expected, and unavo

4.名詞B2
釋義

Used in fixed expressions to say that something is a normal, expected, and unavoidable part of a situation or of the way life works.

例句

It is in the nature of young children to ask endless questions about the world.

pattern: in the nature of [someone/something]

In the nature of things, some businesses grow while others eventually close their doors.

fixed phrase: in the nature of things

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

in the nature of [something/someone]

in the nature of things

用法筆記

Restricted to a few fixed patterns: 'in the nature of things,' 'it is in the nature of [something/someone] to [do something].' Not productive — you cannot freely substitute other prepositions or structures. Often overlaps with sense 3 in formal writing (e.g., 'the nature of the system means that...').

常見錯誤

❌It is nature that prices go up.
✅It is in the nature of things that prices go up.
💡The preposition 'in' and the definite article are required.
❌Mistakes are nature of learning.
✅Mistakes are in the nature of learning.
💡'In the nature of' is the fixed expression; 'nature of' alone belongs to sense 3.

5. The set of inborn qualities and tendencies that determine how someone typically

5.名詞B1
釋義

The set of inborn qualities and tendencies that determine how someone typically thinks, feels, and acts.

例句

Tendai is by nature a quiet person who prefers reading to large parties.

pattern: by nature

It is not in Ilan's nature to tell a lie, even when the truth hurts.

pattern: in [possessive] nature

同義詞
  • disposition

    more formal; refers specifically to a person's usual mood or attitude

  • temperament

    focuses on emotional responses and is often used in psychology

  • character

    broader; includes moral qualities and values, not just inborn traits

  • personality

    the whole set of qualities that make one person different from another

文法句型

[adjective] nature

by nature

in [possessive] nature

用法筆記

Often used with possessive adjectives ('his nature,' 'her nature') or in the fixed phrase 'by nature.' The adjective 'second nature' describes something that has become automatic through practice. Distinguish from sense 3: sense 3 applies to things and situations; sense 5 applies only to living beings, especially people.

常見錯誤

❌She has a shy nature.' (acceptable but less natural)
✅She is shy by nature.
💡'By nature' is the more idiomatic and common structure.
❌It is his nature to be kind.' (natural enough, but...) — This is actually fine. The more common mistake is: ❌ 'He has a nature of being kind.
✅It is in his nature to be kind.
💡'In one's nature' uses the infinitive, not 'of + gerund.'