Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.
character, nature (nn.)
Sometimes these words lead us to pad our speech or prose: He presented opinions of a character not likely to reassure us means He intended his opinions to frighten us. She sang songs of a suggestive nature means She sang suggestive songs. Sometimes a slower, more deliberate pace is useful, but don’t be windy.
