nurturing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'nurturing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of taking care of and providing support for something or someone, especially with a lot of care, kindness, and affection. For example: "The mother was a nurturing influence in her daughter's life, helping her to grow and develop into a confident person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And to what extent might nurturing such a culture reduce the need for ghostwriters and foster more pride in developing our writing selves?

The Guardian

In order for this to happen, organisations need to commit to identifying and nurturing female leaders – not because they've been told to or from some fuzzy notions about "equality", but because they recognise that it will benefit them.

The Guardian

Waterman herself has contributed to nurturing that talent.

The Guardian - Sport

"You can't have a full woman without a positive male influence there, a nurturing male influence," she says.

The Guardian - Arts

Fansites, like anime news network, are nurturing the fan community and remain a good guide for novices getting into anime.

The Guardian

The problem has been with spawning and nurturing the innovation that produces high-productivity jobs – turning good ideas into world-beating products.

The Guardian - Business

We hope to achieve this in small but meaningful ways, through the stories we tell, the treasures we share … We believe that nurturing a better tomorrow upholds the yesterday we cherish, for all of us.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In your case, your boyfriend was probably nurturing feelings of hurt when the ex claimed she regretted leaving him, and it was too much for his ego to resist seeing her.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For me, it's also the ability to have women who are bad characters … the one thing that really frustrates me is this idea that women are innately good, innately nurturing.

The Guardian - Film

Langan, like Ross, specialises in nurturing talent through the early stages, and has won much renown in the industry for her ability to pull projects together: We Need to Talk About Kevin, for example, was stalled for years until Langan asked for a lower-budget version to be constructed.

The Guardian - Film

To this end, 10 10 has also concentrated on nurturing a sense of community, tapping into what Harvey calls "the malaise of western society: atomisation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nurturing" to describe environments, relationships, or practices that foster growth, development, and well-being.

Common error

Avoid using "nurturing" excessively in highly formal or technical writing where more precise terms like "developing", "cultivating", or "supporting" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The term "nurturing" functions primarily as a verb in its present participle form, often used to describe an ongoing process of care and support. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Examples show its use in various contexts, illustrating active care and development.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nurturing" is a verb used to describe the act of caring for and promoting the growth or development of someone or something. As Ludwig AI indicates, the term is grammatically sound and widely applicable across various contexts, including news, business, and science. While versatile, it should be used thoughtfully, considering the formality of the writing. Related terms include "fostering development" and "cultivating growth", which add nuances to the concept. When using "nurturing", remember that it implies more than just care; it signifies active support and encouragement of potential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fostering development

Focuses on promoting growth and progress rather than just providing care.

cultivating growth

Emphasizes the process of carefully encouraging expansion, often in a more strategic manner.

supporting progress

Highlights the act of assisting advancement, possibly with resources or encouragement.

developing potential

Concentrates on realizing latent abilities and capabilities.

promoting well-being

Stresses enhancing overall health and happiness.

encouraging advancement

Highlights the act of motivating and facilitating forward movement.

facilitating growth

Focuses on making expansion easier and more efficient.

mentoring talent

Indicates a specific form of nurturing through guidance and advice.

mothering

Implies an intensely caring form of nurturing, often associated with parental care.

fathering

Suggests guiding and protective care, more traditionally linked to a paternal role.

FAQs

How can I use "nurturing" in a sentence?

You can use "nurturing" to describe an environment that promotes growth, as in "The school provides a "nurturing environment" for students". You can also use it to describe someone's care, such as "She has a "nurturing nature"".

What are some alternatives to "nurturing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "fostering", "cultivating", or "developing" to convey similar meanings.

Is "nurturing" more appropriate in formal or informal contexts?

"Nurturing" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's essential to consider your audience. In very formal writing, more precise synonyms like "cultivating" or "developing" might be preferred.

What is the difference between "nurturing" and "caring"?

"Caring" generally refers to showing concern and providing for someone's basic needs. "Nurturing" goes a step further, implying the promotion of growth, development, and overall well-being, as well as proactive support to reach their full potential.