a foreign entity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a foreign entity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an organization, company, or individual that is based outside of the country being discussed. Example: "The government has imposed new regulations on a foreign entity that wishes to operate within its borders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was a foreign entity to them".

The New York Times - Food

Why would anybody in this country put a foreign entity over ourself first?

The New Yorker

Receipts from a foreign entity should include the U.S. currency equivalency.

Cornell University

It's very important to break the idea of the wall down because otherwise people think this is a foreign entity.

The New York Times - Arts

If the firm is a foreign entity doing business in the U.S., has it complied with U.S. registration requirements?

Harvard University

Despite UniCredito's assertion, the insurer is under no threat of takeover, either by a domestic rival or by a foreign entity.

The Economist

One provision would ban any U.S. corporation that is owned or controlled by a foreign entity from making campaign-related expenditures.

The New York Times

OTTAWA — Four Russian diplomats have left Canada just days after a naval intelligence officer was charged with passing government secrets to a "foreign entity".

The New York Times

Maybe the next time a foreign entity tries to acquire a major American family company, the public will take notice before it becomes a fait accompli.

The New York Times

FedEx claims that DHL Airways, part-owned by DHL International, would be more than 25%-owned by a foreign entity, which is a breach of America's federal requirements.

The Economist

Investigators have reportedly said they are looking at the possible involvement of a "foreign entity or government", and hint that China may be involved.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing international relations or business, use "a foreign entity" to maintain a neutral and professional tone. Avoid using more loaded terms like "alien" or "invader" unless the context specifically warrants it.

Common error

While both terms suggest something from another place, "foreign" is generally neutral, while "alien" can imply hostility or unfamiliarity. Choose "a foreign entity" when you simply mean an entity from another country, and reserve "alien" for situations where you want to emphasize otherness or potential conflict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foreign entity" primarily functions as a noun phrase, serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It identifies an organization, company, or individual originating from a country other than the one under discussion, as shown in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a foreign entity" is a frequently used noun phrase that refers to an organization, company, or individual originating from a country other than the one under discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, making it appropriate for diverse contexts such as news, academia, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "an overseas organization" or "a non-domestic entity" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuances one wishes to convey. Be mindful of the connotations, particularly distinguishing between the neutral "foreign" and potentially loaded "alien". Use this phrase when you are talking about organizations, companies or individuals based outside of the country being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an overseas entity

Replaces "foreign" with "overseas", emphasizing geographical location.

a non-domestic entity

Uses a more formal term, "non-domestic", to indicate not originating from the country in question.

an international organization

Specifies the type of entity as an "organization" operating internationally.

a foreign business

Identifies the entity specifically as a "business" operating in a foreign country.

a foreign government

Refers specifically to a governmental body of a foreign nation.

an external organization

Uses "external" to denote an entity that is not part of the internal structure.

a foreign power

Implies a foreign entity with significant influence or control.

a foreign interest

Focuses on the vested interest of a foreign entity.

an alien entity

Emphasizes the unfamiliar or different nature of the entity.

a non-resident entity

Highlights the entity's lack of residency in the country being discussed.

FAQs

How can I use "a foreign entity" in a sentence?

Use "a foreign entity" to refer to an organization, company, or individual based outside of the country you are discussing. For example: "The contract was awarded to "a foreign entity" based in Germany."

What are some alternatives to saying "a foreign entity"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "an overseas organization", "a non-domestic entity", or "an international company".

Is it correct to say "a foreign entity" or should I use another term?

"A foreign entity" is a correct and commonly used term. Whether it's the most appropriate term depends on the specific context. Consider whether a more specific term, such as "a foreign company" or "an international organization", would be more precise.

When is it more appropriate to use "a foreign entity" versus "an international entity"?

"A foreign entity" emphasizes the entity's origin from a country other than the one being discussed. "An international entity", on the other hand, highlights the entity's involvement or scope across multiple countries.