unnatural environment

USAGE SUMMARY

"unnatural environment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a location, space, or environment that is not naturally occurring or not of a usual or intended kind. For example, "The industrial complex created an unnatural environment with its polluted air and hazardous materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"It is a natural response to an unnatural environment".

Independent

The lion's popularity was due in part to his comfort with human contact, his acclimation to a highly unnatural environment wherein people were not predators but active protectors.

The New Yorker

A good dose of fresh air and daylight, away from the unnatural environment of an office, is good for the soul.

The Guardian

Just this week in Horse and Hound magazine, the equine reproduction expert Professor Twink Allen wrote of young maidens finding "the breeding shed a noisy, frightening and unnatural environment".

The Guardian - Opinion

People who travel with a Presidential campaign often refer to it half jokingly as the "bubble," meaning that it is an extraordinarily controlled, unnatural environment, and you never quite know where it's taking you next, or what's going on in the outside world, and you're constantly being watched.

The New Yorker

Rather, it is a process that occurs naturally within the unnatural environment created by human agriculturists.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

We walk around every day in complex, unnatural environments that we built by wresting raw material from the ground.

The New Yorker

For the first time, researchers have found evidence that the most successful urban bird species have bigger brains than exclusively rural species, suggesting a greater adaptability to unnatural environments.

Science Magazine

Mutts are the most natural dogs and therefore have the most trouble in unnatural environments.

Vice

Cattle, hogs and poultry are raised in unnatural environments and consume feed that often contains non-therapeutic uses of antibiotics.

Huffington Post

In the laboratory, the monkeys will be denied meaningful social interaction, physically tormented, confined to highly unnatural environments, and deprived of everything normal to them.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of human activities on ecosystems, use "unnatural environment" to highlight the disruption of natural processes and habitats.

Common error

Avoid using "unnatural environment" solely to describe something artificial. While artificiality is a component, the phrase carries a stronger connotation of deviation from a naturally balanced state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unnatural environment" primarily functions as a descriptive term. It modifies a noun to indicate that the environment in question is not in its original, natural state. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

52%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unnatural environment" is a descriptive phrase used to characterize settings that deviate from their natural state, often due to human activities or other disruptive influences. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and wiki articles. While it is essential to distinguish it from similar phrases like "artificial environment", which focuses more on man-made aspects, "unnatural environment" emphasizes the disruption of nature. Remember to employ this phrase when highlighting ecological changes and avoid limiting its application to solely artificial settings. Ludwig reinforces that understanding this phrase is key to effective communication about environmental issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

non-natural habitat

Simply negates the natural aspect of the environment, similar to "unnatural environment".

artificial environment

Focuses specifically on the artificiality rather than the broader concept of being unnatural.

artificial habitat

Focuses on the artificiality of the living space, rather than its deviation from a natural state.

synthetic surroundings

Emphasizes the manufactured or non-naturally occurring aspect of the environment.

contrived setting

Highlights the deliberate and artificial construction of the environment.

altered ecosystem

Focuses on ecological changes leading to a less natural state.

modified landscape

Emphasizes the change from the original, natural state of the land.

human-altered environment

Highlights human intervention as the cause of the altered state.

engineered environment

Highlights the design and construction aspects of the non-natural environment.

highly controlled environment

Emphasizes the high degree of human control and regulation, often implying artificiality.

FAQs

How can I use "unnatural environment" in a sentence?

You can use "unnatural environment" to describe settings altered by human activity, such as "The city became an "unnatural environment" due to pollution and overpopulation".

What are some alternatives to saying "unnatural environment"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "artificial environment", "altered ecosystem", or "modified landscape".

Is it appropriate to describe a zoo as an "unnatural environment"?

Yes, describing a zoo as an "unnatural environment" is fitting, as it represents a controlled and artificial habitat for animals, diverging from their natural ecosystems.

What is the difference between "artificial environment" and "unnatural environment"?

"Artificial environment" focuses on the man-made aspect, whereas "unnatural environment" emphasizes the deviation from a state of nature, which could result from various disruptive factors and does not need to be only man-made.