true nature

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   the real character or basic quality of someone or something, especially when it is different from what people first think

   Grammar: Used with 'the' and often followed by 'of': the true nature of the problem. You can also say 'someone's true nature'.

   Patterns

   • the true nature of something
   • someone's true nature
   • reveal/show someone's true nature

   The documentary tries to show the true nature of life in the city.

   It took years for her colleagues to see his true nature.

   The true nature of their relationship only became clear later.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseformal

   the essential reality of a situation, as opposed to how it appears

   Grammar: Often used in formal or serious discussion about hidden facts.

   Patterns

   • understand the true nature of something
   • the true nature of the problem

   Scientists are still debating the true nature of dark matter.

   Only later did we understand the true nature of the crisis.

Common combinations

reveal someone's true nature

The crisis revealed the manager's true nature.

the true nature of something

We need to discuss the true nature of the problem.

see someone's true nature

After the argument, she finally saw his true nature.

hide one's true nature

He tried to hide his true nature from his friends.

Synonyms and how they differ

essence

Essence means the most important quality of something, but it is more neutral and does not suggest that something was hidden.

real character

This is a more general phrase; 'true nature' is stronger and often suggests a surprising or negative discovery.

Commonly confused: true nature or human nature?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “true nature”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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