unripe fruits

Meanings

1. 1phraseplural

   Fruits that have not yet become fully grown or ready to eat.

   Grammar: Use as a plural noun phrase; the singular form is 'unripe fruit' when referring to the food in general.

   Patterns

   • eat unripe fruits
   • unripe fruits of something

   The tree was full of unripe fruits that were still hard and green.

   She bought unripe fruits and left them on the windowsill to ripen.

   Unripe fruits can cause stomach pain if you eat too many.

2. 2phrasepluralfigurativeformal

   Figurative: results or effects that appear before the right time or are not fully developed.

   Grammar: Used figuratively in formal or literary writing, often followed by 'of'.

   Patterns

   • unripe fruits of something

   The plan was criticized as the unripe fruits of a rushed decision.

   These early inventions were the unripe fruits of a long scientific effort.

Common combinations

unripe fruits and vegetables

The market sells both ripe and unripe fruits and vegetables.

eat unripe fruits

Doctors warn people not to eat unripe fruits.

unripe fruits ripen

Leave the unripe fruits on the counter until they ripen.

a bowl of unripe fruits

She placed a bowl of unripe fruits near the window.

Synonyms and how they differ

green

Use 'green' for fruits that are unripe and still have a green color, but 'unripe' is more general and can describe any color.

immature

This is more technical and can describe plants or animals, not just fruits.

Opposites

Word family

unripe adjective

Not yet fully grown or ready to eat.

ripen verb

To become ripe or make something ripe.

ripeness noun

The state of being ripe.

Commonly confused: unripe fruits or rotten fruits?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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