north
north — noun
1. the direction that points toward the top of the globe, opposite to south, shown
the direction that points toward the top of the globe, opposite to south, shown at the top of most maps; also, the part of a city, country, or region that lies in that direction.
Manuela checked the compass and saw that the cabin lay to the north of the river.
collocation: to the north of [place]
The restaurant is on the north side of the square, just past the bank.
collocation: north side of [place]
Geese fly south for the winter and return north in the spring.
The north of the island receives far more rain than the south does.
Hyun grew up in a small town in the north of Sweden.
- northward
used only as an adverb or adjective, not as a noun for a region
- northern part
more explicit when specifying a sub-area rather than the whole direction
- south
the opposite direction and region
文法句型
the north + of + [place]
用法筆記
When referring to a direction rather than a region, no article is used ('heading north'). When referring to a specific northern area, 'the north' is used ('the north of England').
常見錯誤
2. the set of wealthy, heavily industrialized nations found mainly in the northern
the set of wealthy, heavily industrialized nations found mainly in the northern half of the planet; also referred to as the Global North.
The summit brought together leaders from the North and the South to discuss trade.
contrastive: the North and the South
Many aid programmes are designed to transfer technology from the North to developing nations.
Scholars argue that the North's consumption patterns drive global climate change.
Debates about fair trade often highlight the gap between the North and the South.
- Global North
more precise modern term that avoids the literal geography issue
- developed world
broader; includes countries like Australia and New Zealand that are in the southern hemisphere but economically advanced
- Global South
less developed and poorer countries, many in the southern hemisphere
文法句型
the North = the wealthy industrialized countries
用法筆記
Always capitalized in this sense. Often contrasted with 'the South' (developing nations). Frequently used in political, economic, and development studies contexts.
常見錯誤
3. the group of US states that stayed loyal to the Union during the Civil War (1861
the group of US states that stayed loyal to the Union during the Civil War (1861–1865) and fought the seceding Southern states.
After the war, the North imposed conditions on the Southern states before they could rejoin the Union.
historical context: the North imposed conditions
Arjun read about how the North's industrial advantage helped it win the Civil War.
Slavery was outlawed in the North long before the conflict began.
Museums in the North display battle flags captured from Confederate regiments.
- the Union
the more formal name for the federal government and states that fought together
- the Northern states
more transparent geographical label
- the Confederacy
the Southern states that seceded
- the South
the opposing side in the Civil War
文法句型
the North = Union states during the US Civil War
用法筆記
Always capitalized in this sense. Refers specifically to the 19th-century Union states, not just any northern part of the US.
常見錯誤
north — adjective
1. located in, on, or forming the northern side or part of a place, area, or thing.
located in, on, or forming the northern side or part of a place, area, or thing.
Christopher parked the van at the north entrance of the stadium.
collocation: north entrance / north side / north wall
The north coast of the island has steep cliffs and strong currents.
Tamar took a room on the north side of the hotel for the mountain view.
The north tower of the castle was the first to be built.
Yara's office is in the north wing of the hospital.
- south
the opposite side or part (used attributively: 'south entrance')
文法句型
north + [noun]
用法筆記
Attributive only — 'north' as an adjective always comes before a noun ('north wall', 'north entrance'). For predicative use ('the wall is north'), use 'north' as an adverb. Not to be confused with 'northern', which often implies a broader or less precise area ('northern Europe' vs 'north London').
常見錯誤
2. a wind that blows from the north toward the south.
a wind that blows from the north toward the south.
A cold north wind swept across the plains all through the night.
collocation: north wind / north breeze / north gale
The sailors welcomed the steady north breeze that pushed them toward the harbour.
Élise buttoned her coat tight against the sharp north gale.
The north breeze carried the scent of pine from the forest.
Farmers feared the north gale would flatten the wheat before harvest.
- northerly wind
more formal or technical in weather reports; 'north wind' is more traditional and poetic
- northerly
a noun that can also refer to a wind from the north
- south wind
a wind blowing from the south
文法句型
north + [wind/gust/breeze]
用法筆記
Only used attributively before wind-related nouns ('north wind', 'north breeze'). Do not use with compass directions like 'northwest' — for those, use 'northwesterly wind'. The noun phrase 'north wind' is also used.
常見錯誤
north — adverb
1. in a direction that points toward the North Pole or the northern part of a place
in a direction that points toward the North Pole or the northern part of a place.
The convoy turned north after crossing the bridge.
pattern: [verb] + north
Sirin and Jude decided to drive north for their summer holiday.
The river flows north before it meets the sea.
Obi looked north across the valley and saw the storm approaching.
A sign at the fork said 'London 120 km north'.
- northward(s)
slightly more formal and often used in writing ('migrate northwards')
- northerly
used as adverb mainly in weather and sailing contexts ('sail northerly')
- south
toward the south
文法句型
[verb] + north
north + [preposition]
用法筆記
No article or preposition is needed before 'north' when used as an adverb ('turn north', not 'turn to north'). However, 'to the north' (prepositional phrase) is also common and standard.
常見錯誤
2. in or to the northern area of a country, region, or city; used with 'of' to spec
in or to the northern area of a country, region, or city; used with 'of' to specify what lies north of a named place.
The village lies about thirty kilometres north of the capital.
pattern: [distance] + north of + [place]
Tariro lives north of the river in the older part of town.
Ada moved to a city north of the border for a new job.
The best farmland is north of the mountain range.
- to the north of
a prepositional alternative with the same meaning
- north of
most concise form
- south of
in or to the southern area of a place
- to the south of
the opposite relative location
文法句型
[verb] + north of + [place]
用法筆記
This sense always requires 'of' to specify a reference point. Contrast with sense 1, which focuses on direction of movement rather than relative location.
常見錯誤
north — biographical name
1. Douglass Cecil North (1920–2015), an American economist who won the Nobel Prize
Douglass Cecil North (1920–2015), an American economist who won the Nobel Prize in 1993 for his work on economic history and the role of institutions in economic development.
North argued that institutional change drives long-term economic growth.
key idea: institutions and economic growth
Students of development economics still read North's work on property rights.
North's research showed how secure property rights helped economies grow.
Many universities include North's theories in their economic history courses.
用法筆記
Often referred to simply as 'Douglass North' in academic contexts. His key works include 'The Rise of the Western World' and 'Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance'.
2. Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford (1732–1792), known as Lord North, a Britis
Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford (1732–1792), known as Lord North, a British statesman who served as Prime Minister from 1770 to 1782, during the American Revolutionary War.
Lord North's government faced growing opposition to the war in America.
historical role: British PM during American Revolution
North resigned as Prime Minister shortly after the British defeat at Yorktown.
Lord North's tax policies angered American colonists before the revolution.
King George III relied heavily on North's advice during the early war years.
用法筆記
Commonly referred to as 'Lord North' in historical texts. He is one of the most famous British prime ministers, largely because of his role during the loss of the American colonies.
3. Sir Thomas North (c. 1535–c. 1603), an English translator best known for his Eng
Sir Thomas North (c. 1535–c. 1603), an English translator best known for his English version of Plutarch's 'Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans', which was a major source for William Shakespeare's Roman plays.
Shakespeare borrowed many passages directly from North's translation of Plutarch.
literary influence: source for Shakespeare's plays
North's lively English style made classical stories accessible to Elizabethan readers.
Scholars praise North's translation for its vigorous and natural English rhythm.
North's version of Plutarch helped spread classical ideas across Renaissance England.
用法筆記
Distinguish from Lord North (Frederick North). Sir Thomas North is remembered primarily for his translation work, which had a profound influence on English Renaissance literature.