Collocations for nature - noun
1. the physical world; plants, animals, etc.
ADJ.
Mother
Mother Nature had served up some terrible weather for their cruise.
Mother Nature had served up some terrible weather for their cruise.
VERB + NATURE
commune with
He believed in spending half an hour each day to relax and commune with nature.
He believed in spending half an hour each day to relax and commune with nature.
be/get back to
We built our house in the country because we wanted to get back (= be close) to nature.
We built our house in the country because we wanted to get back (= be close) to nature.
be found in
man-made substances not found in nature
man-made substances not found in nature
NATURE + VERB
endow (sb with) sth
Nature had endowed her with exceptional vitality.
Nature had endowed her with exceptional vitality.
produce sth
It''s unlikely that this gully was produced by nature.
It''s unlikely that this gully was produced by nature.
NATURE + NOUN
conservation | reserve | trail
PREP.
close to ~
people who live in the country and are close to nature
people who live in the country and are close to nature
in ~
We appreciate beauty in nature.
We appreciate beauty in nature.
PHRASES
the forces of nature, the laws of nature, a love of nature
His love of nature was expressed through his wildlife paintings.
His love of nature was expressed through his wildlife paintings.
2. qualities/features of sb/sth
ADJ.
basic, essential, fundamental, intrinsic, real, true | artificial | exact, precise, specific
I''m not clear about the exact nature of their relationship.
I''m not clear about the exact nature of their relationship.
general | selective | limited, restrictive | changing, seasonal, temporary, transitory | uncertain, unpredictable | arbitrary, random | subjective
the subjective nature of an odour
the subjective nature of an odour
abstract | capricious, fickle | intractable | distinctive, unusual | radical | complex | special, specialist | traditional | controversial | contradictory | problematic | unsatisfactory
the unsatisfactory nature of the meeting
the unsatisfactory nature of the meeting
good
People are always taking advantage of her good nature (= her kindness).
People are always taking advantage of her good nature (= her kindness).
human
It''s only human nature to want more money.
It''s only human nature to want more money.
divine | confidential, personal, private | public | international, local
the international nature of the business
the international nature of the business
repetitive | routine
matters of a routine nature
matters of a routine nature
detailed
Because of the detailed nature of the work, I have to use a very fine brush.
Because of the detailed nature of the work, I have to use a very fine brush.
practical | physical, psychological, sexual
They define sexual harassment as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature.
They define sexual harassment as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature.
economic, legal, political, social
Their problems are of an economic nature.
Their problems are of an economic nature.
contemplative | inquisitive
VERB + NATURE
have
He has an inquisitive nature.
He has an inquisitive nature.
reveal
The parties would not reveal the exact nature of the dispute.
The parties would not reveal the exact nature of the dispute.
conceal | reflect | belie
The gentle lower slopes belie the true nature of the mountain.
The gentle lower slopes belie the true nature of the mountain.
be contrary to, be/run against
It was against his nature to tell lies.
It was against his nature to tell lies.
alter, change
This new information does not change the nature of our findings.
This new information does not change the nature of our findings.
acknowledge, be aware of, recognize
Are you aware of the nature of the risks involved?
Are you aware of the nature of the risks involved?
define, specify
It is important to define the nature of the problem.
It is important to define the nature of the problem.
assess, consider, discuss, examine, explore, investigate | comprehend, realize, understand | misconceive | clarify, elucidate, explain, give/offer/provide an insight into
His theory provides a remarkable insight into the nature of the British constitution.
His theory provides a remarkable insight into the nature of the British constitution.
describe | determine | depend on
The method employed will depend on the nature of the task.
The method employed will depend on the nature of the task.
appeal to
There was no point appealing to her better nature (= kindness).
There was no point appealing to her better nature (= kindness).
PREP.
by ~
He''s not by nature an inquisitive person.
He''s not by nature an inquisitive person.
concerning the ~
a debate concerning the nature of violence
a debate concerning the nature of violence
considering/given the ~
Given the nature of this matter, I am inclined to think it should be managed by you personally.
Given the nature of this matter, I am inclined to think it should be managed by you personally.
in ~
Their strategy was essentially political in nature.
Their strategy was essentially political in nature.
in sb/sth''s ~
It''s not in his nature to complain. A certain element of risk is in the nature of the job.
It''s not in his nature to complain. A certain element of risk is in the nature of the job.
of a … ~
The legal concept of insanity is of a different nature from the medical.
The legal concept of insanity is of a different nature from the medical.
PHRASES
by its very nature
By its very nature a secret service is not open to public inspection.
By its very nature a secret service is not open to public inspection.
the extent and nature of sth
We need to understand the true extent and nature of the problem.
We need to understand the true extent and nature of the problem.
a part of sb''s nature
the expressive part of his nature Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.
the expressive part of his nature Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.
a side of/to sb''s nature
He had a vicious side to his nature.
He had a vicious side to his nature.