a natural thing

USAGE SUMMARY

"a natural thing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that occurs in nature in its natural state or about a behavior that is instinctual or normal to someone or something. For example, "Going out for a run every morning has become a natural thing for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Lifestyle

Tech

Opinion

Arts

Film

Food

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a natural thing".

The New York Times

It was a natural thing.

The New Yorker

That's a natural thing.

The Guardian - Music

"That's a natural thing that happens.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a natural thing," she said.

The New York Times

Money is not a natural thing.

The Economist

It's a natural thing to do.

The New Yorker

"Polio was a natural thing".

The New York Times - Arts

It's not a natural thing".

The Guardian

"I suspect that's just a natural thing.

The New York Times

It's a natural thing," Mr. Lucio said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the context carefully, as the phrase can sometimes minimize the significance of an event if used inappropriately.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "a natural thing", as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Opt for more descriptive alternatives to add depth and variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a natural thing" functions as a predicate nominative or subject complement, typically following a linking verb like is, seems, or becomes. It renames or describes the subject of the sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Tech

5%

Opinion

3%

Arts

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a natural thing" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to normalize or validate occurrences, feelings, or behaviors. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. While its usage spans across various contexts, it is most prevalent in news, sports, and lifestyle content. Although "a natural thing" is an accessible and handy expression, writers should use this expression carefully in their writings to create variation and depth and prevent repetitiveness. Alternatives such as "matter of course" or "simply expected" can offer similar connotations while enhancing the stylistic richness of writing. Overall, understanding the function, purpose, and register helps in employing "a natural thing" effectively in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a matter of course

Suggests that something is routine and requires no special attention.

a logical thing

Emphasizes the reasonableness or rationale behind something.

a normal course of events

Underlines the expected sequence in which things unfold.

an instinctive action

Highlights the role of inherent behavior rather than conscious thought.

an inherent quality

Focuses on qualities or characteristics that are intrinsically part of something.

a spontaneous occurrence

Focuses on the unprompted and unplanned nature of an event.

simply expected

Highlights that an occurrence aligns perfectly with conventional anticipations.

a common practice

Highlights the normality and widespread acceptance of something.

an ordinary event

Downplays the significance, positioning the situation as typical.

a typical development

Implies that an event fits a predictable pattern or sequence.

FAQs

How can I use "a natural thing" in a sentence?

You can use "a natural thing" to describe events, feelings, or behaviors that are expected or inherent. For example, "Experiencing nervousness before a big presentation is "a natural thing"."

What are some alternatives to "a natural thing"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "matter of course", "common practice", or "simply expected" to convey similar meanings.

Is it always appropriate to describe something as "a natural thing"?

While "a natural thing" implies something is normal or expected, be mindful of the context. Overusing the phrase can diminish the significance of unique situations or feelings. Consider alternatives if you want to highlight uniqueness instead.

How does "a natural thing" differ from "an instinctive action"?

"An instinctive action" refers specifically to behaviors driven by instinct, while ""a natural thing"" encompasses a broader range of occurrences that are considered normal or expected, including feelings, events, or practices.