natural resources
B2Formal to neutral. Common in academic, business, political, and environmental discourse.
Definition
Meaning
Materials and substances that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain, such as water, minerals, forests, and fossil fuels.
In a broader sense, it can refer to any environmental asset or feature that provides value or utility, including ecosystem services, biodiversity, and even scenic beauty. In human resource contexts, it can metaphorically describe innate human talents or abilities.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Generally treated as a plural noun, though it can be conceptualised as a singular mass concept. Often implies finite availability and management concerns.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. Both use the term identically. Minor spelling differences may appear in surrounding text (e.g., labour/labor).
Connotations
Identical connotations of environmental management, economic value, and sustainability.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Country + has + natural resourcesto exploit + natural resourcesto manage + natural resources sustainablythe depletion of + natural resourcesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Resource curse”
- “To live off the land”
- “The wealth beneath our feet”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to commodities and inputs for production. Focus is on extraction, cost, supply chains, and market value.
Academic
Central term in environmental science, economics (resource economics), and geography. Discussed in terms of sustainability, management, and distribution.
Everyday
Used when talking about a country's wealth, environmental protection, or where things like petrol and wood come from.
Technical
In fields like geology and forestry, refers to specific, quantifiable stocks (e.g., proven oil reserves, timber yield).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The government aims to natural-resource the region sustainably. (Note: This is a very rare, non-standard neologism for demonstration; the term is almost never used as a verb.)
American English
- We need to resource our economy responsibly. (Note: 'Resource' as a verb is distinct from 'natural resources'.)
adverb
British English
- The country is naturally resource-rich. (Note: 'Naturally' modifies the adjective 'resource-rich', not an example of 'natural resources' as an adverb.)
American English
- The land is abundantly resource-endowed. (Note: Similarly, not a direct adverbial form of the noun phrase.)
adjective
British English
- The natural-resources sector is a major employer.
- They attended a natural resources conference.
American English
- The natural-resources industry is booming.
- She works in natural resources management.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Canada has many natural resources like trees and water.
- We must not waste our natural resources.
- The country's economy depends heavily on its natural resources, especially oil.
- Solar power uses a renewable natural resource - sunlight.
- The government was criticised for mismanaging the nation's precious natural resources.
- Over-exploitation of natural resources can lead to severe environmental degradation.
- The so-called 'resource curse' paradox suggests that an abundance of natural resources can sometimes hinder a nation's long-term economic development.
- Modern environmental economics seeks to value ecosystem services alongside traditional extractable natural resources.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine NATURE's RESERVE. NATURAL comes from 'nature', and a RESERVE is a stored supply. Natural Resources are nature's stored supplies that we use.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURAL RESOURCES ARE A BANK ACCOUNT (you can deposit/conserve or withdraw/deplete). / A COUNTRY IS A PERSON WITH WEALTH (rich/poor in natural resources).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'природные ресурсы' when the broader English concept includes things like 'scenery' or 'ecosystem services' in certain contexts.
- Remember it's almost always plural in English, unlike the sometimes singular Russian usage.
- Don't confuse with 'natural sources', which is not a standard collocation.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect singular: 'a natural resource' is possible but less common than the plural.
- Misspelling: 'natural resourses'.
- Confusion with 'human resources'.
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'natural resources management' is correct, but 'natural resources' alone is not an adjective).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically considered a 'natural resource' in its core economic sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is almost always used as a plural noun (e.g., 'The resources are abundant'). However, it can be treated as a singular mass concept in phrases like 'the management of natural resources'.
Renewable resources (e.g., solar energy, wind, timber) can be replenished naturally over time. Non-renewable resources (e.g., coal, oil, minerals) exist in finite amounts and cannot be replaced on a human timescale once depleted.
No, in standard terminology they are distinct. 'Natural resources' refer to non-human environmental assets. 'Human resources' refers to the workforce, people, and their skills within an organisation or economy.
'Natural capital' is a broader economic concept that encompasses natural resources (stocks of materials) but also includes ecosystem services like clean air, water filtration, and climate regulation provided by healthy ecosystems.
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