natural language

USAGE SUMMARY

"natural language" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to language that is spoken and written by humans. For example: "Natural language is the most commonly used form of communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Natural language processing and natural language understanding are growing advanced enough to have human-like conversations.

Forbes

Computers are beginning to understand natural language.

The Economist

What is natural language recognition?

The Guardian - Tech

Where is natural language understanding?

University of California, Berkeley

(iii) Semantics of natural language.

Princeton University

But ambiguity is inherent in natural language.

The Guardian - Opinion

Games is a natural language for them.

The Guardian - Tech

It can read natural language documents.

The Guardian - Tech

Another big challenge is natural language understanding.

MIT Technology Review

Natural language alone was not a product.

Harvard Business Review

What is Google doing with natural language?

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing computational linguistics or artificial intelligence, clarify whether you're referring to "natural language" processing (NLP) or "natural language" understanding (NLU) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't assume that everyone understands "natural language" in the same way. In technical fields, always define your terms, especially when contrasting it with formal languages or machine code.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "natural language" is as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object in sentences. As seen in Ludwig, it describes a type of language used by humans. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "natural language" is a noun phrase referring to languages spoken and written by humans, distinguishing them from artificial or formal languages. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and versatile usage in English. It appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts, highlighting its relevance across diverse fields. While grammatically sound, clarity is crucial when discussing its technical applications in NLP and NLU. Alternative phrases like "human language" or "everyday language" offer nuanced variations in meaning. By understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and contextual usage, writers can effectively employ "natural language" in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

human language

Focuses on the human origin and usage, emphasizing its contrast with artificial or programming languages.

ordinary language

Highlights the common and everyday usage, differentiating it from technical or specialized jargon.

everyday language

Emphasizes the routine and informal nature of the language used in daily conversations.

vernacular

Refers to the native or commonly spoken language of a specific region or group.

colloquial language

Indicates informal language or dialect used in ordinary or familiar conversation.

common parlance

Suggests language that is widely understood and used by the general public.

layman's terms

Implies simplifying complex terminology into easily understandable language for non-experts.

plain language

Highlights clarity and simplicity, aiming to avoid ambiguity and ensure ease of understanding.

unscripted speech

Focuses on the spontaneous and unrehearsed nature of spoken language.

spontaneous discourse

Emphasizes the unplanned and emergent quality of natural conversation.

FAQs

How is "natural language" used in technology?

In technology, "natural language" is often used in the context of "natural language processing" (NLP) and "natural language understanding" (NLU), which are fields focused on enabling computers to understand and generate human language.

What's the difference between "natural language" and formal language?

"Natural language" refers to languages that have evolved naturally among humans, like English or Spanish. Formal languages, like programming languages, are designed with specific syntax and semantics for precise communication with machines.

Can "natural language" be ambiguous?

Yes, "natural language" is inherently ambiguous due to its reliance on context, cultural understanding, and nuances in expression. This ambiguity is a key challenge in "natural language processing".

What are some examples of "natural language" interfaces?

Examples of "natural language" interfaces include voice assistants like Siri or Alexa, chatbots, and applications that allow users to interact using spoken or written human language instead of structured commands or code.