a foreign interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a foreign interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an entity or individual from another country that has a stake or concern in a particular matter, often in contexts related to business, politics, or investments. Example: "The government is concerned about the implications of a foreign interest acquiring a significant share in the national telecommunications company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Does Mr. McCain's campaign manager, Rick Davis, have ties to a foreign interest?

The New York Times

A law approved last year gave the president the authority to freeze assets of organizations in which there is a foreign interest, pending an investigation, the government said.

The New York Times

But an analysis late last year by a legal news site, the Russian Legal Information Agency, cited numerous differences between the laws, including an exemption in the American law for groups engaged in "activities not serving predominantly a foreign interest".

The New York Times

This legislation will pass because of a bipartisan deal between the Coalition and Labor to increase the level of foreign ownership in the national carrier, but not to the point where a foreign interest can assume majority ownership.

The Guardian

Congress responded by passing the 1988 Exon-Florio Amendment, which grants the president the ability to block or unwind a foreign acquisition if there is "credible evidence" that a "foreign interest exercising control might take action that threatens to impair the national security".

The New York Times

Last month, Manafort was to register with the U.S. Department of Justice as a foreign agent, as is required for someone on the payroll of a foreign interest.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In another barometer of a robust foreign interest in helping, Doctors Without Borders, the Paris-based emergency health organization that was among the first to send medical teams into the disaster zone, said its appeals for funds had also attracted a strong response.

The New York Times

Q. Are you seeing a lot of foreign interest?

The New York Times

The news prompted an immediate rally in the market which has lost ground so far this year in apparent anticipation of a surge in foreign interest.

The Economist

"We had a lot of foreign interest from different countries," Mr. Elliott said, "and we needed to be able to communicate at every level".

The New York Times

His deputy, Arkady Dvorkovich, told the Guardian it was just a coincidence that foreign interest had switched from Europeans to Chinese in recent months.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing international relations or business, use “a foreign interest” to clearly denote an entity or individual from another country with a stake in a particular matter. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using “a foreign interest” when you actually mean the national interest of your own country. The terms are opposites and using them interchangeably can confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foreign interest" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, identifying an entity or concern originating from a country other than the one being discussed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a foreign interest" is a noun phrase used to describe an entity or concern originating from a country different from the one being discussed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. It commonly appears in news and media contexts, highlighting involvement with potential implications. While grammatically correct and relatively easy to use, avoid using it when you mean 'national interest'. Alternatives include "an overseas interest" or "a non-domestic interest", depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. The phrase serves to pinpoint external influences or stakes in various scenarios, making it crucial for clear communication in international affairs, business, and beyond.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an overseas interest

Replaces 'foreign' with 'overseas', emphasizing the geographical aspect.

a non-domestic interest

Substitutes 'foreign' with 'non-domestic', focusing on the internal vs external aspect.

an international stake

Replaces 'interest' with 'stake', highlighting the investment or involvement aspect.

a global concern

Replaces 'interest' with 'concern', emphasizing the matter of worry or importance.

an external influence

Shifts the focus from having a stake to exerting influence.

a foreign investment

Specific to financial contexts, emphasizing capital allocation.

an offshore entity's involvement

More specific, clarifying the type of 'interest' as involvement.

a foreign power's agenda

Connects the interest to a specific plan or objective of a foreign government.

a foreign company's stake

More specific, focusing on companies and the stake.

a non-national entity's concern

Highly formal replacement, clarifying the type of 'interest' as concern.

FAQs

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

You can use "a foreign interest" to describe the stake or concern that an entity from another country has in a particular issue. For instance, "The acquisition drew scrutiny due to concerns about "a foreign interest" gaining control of critical infrastructure."

What's a good alternative to "a foreign interest"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "an overseas interest", "a non-domestic interest", or "an international stake".

When is it appropriate to use the term "a foreign interest"?

Use "a foreign interest" when referring to a person, company, or government from another country that has involvement or investment in a specific matter, such as politics, economics, or business dealings. It is used to denote an external entity's stake.

What is the difference between "a foreign interest" and "a foreign power"?

"A foreign power" refers specifically to a foreign government or nation, whereas "a foreign interest" is broader and can include individuals, companies, or any entity from another country with a stake in something. A foreign power is just one type of "a foreign interest".