a foreign member

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a foreign member" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person who is a member of a group or organization but is from a different country or nationality. Example: "The committee welcomed a foreign member who brought valuable insights from their international experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

A year later, the nation's Academy of Medical Sciences elected Dr. DeBakey a foreign member.

The New York Times - Health

He was elected a foreign member of the Royal Society in 2008.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was elected a foreign member of the Royal Society of London in 1951.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was a foreign member of the Linnaen Society of London and the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences.

The New York Times

He was a foreign member of the national academies of science in the United States and France.

The New York Times

A year later, the Academy of Medical Sciences of the U.S.S.R. elected Dr. DeBakey a foreign member.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

A member of the Royal Society and an Honorary Foreign Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he is also the author of An Anatomy of Thought: The Origins and Machinery of the Mind.

Huffington Post

But the board members were nervous that shareholders and the press might find out that a foreign board member was getting special treatment.

Forbes

She was elected a foreign honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2006.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Timothy Williamson is the Wykeham Professor of Logic at Oxford University, a Fellow of the British Academy and a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

The New York Times

She is a Foreign Honorary Member of the Academy and a native of Ireland, where some of her books have been banned because of their sexual candor.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about international collaborations or affiliations, use the phrase "a foreign member" to clearly indicate the individual's origin from outside the primary organization's base country. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures clarity in formal and academic contexts.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "a foreign member" with terms like "foreign agent" or "foreign entity", which carry different legal and political connotations. Ensure the context clearly indicates you are referring to a member of an organization from another country, not implying any clandestine or politically charged affiliation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foreign member" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying an individual who holds membership in a group or organization and originates from a different country. Ludwig confirms the correct and usable nature of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a foreign member" is a grammatically sound and generally neutral noun phrase used to describe a member of an organization who comes from a different country. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in news media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure clarity and avoid any potential confusion with similar terms that might carry different connotations. Alternatives like "an international representative" or "an overseas representative" can also be used depending on the specific context. Always make sure the context shows if you are referring to a member of an organization from another country, not implying any clandestine or politically charged affiliation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an international representative

Direct synonym, using "international" instead of "foreign".

a non-domestic member

Uses "non-domestic" instead of "foreign" to convey the same meaning.

an international affiliate

Replaces "member" with "affiliate" and "foreign" with "international", highlighting the global connection.

an overseas representative

Substitutes "member" with "representative" and "foreign" with "overseas", emphasizing representation from abroad.

a non-resident participant

Replaces "member" with "participant" and "foreign" with "non-resident", focusing on participation without residing in the organization's base country.

a visiting fellow

Replaces "member" with "fellow" and implies a temporary foreign status.

an expatriate associate

Uses "expatriate" instead of "foreign" and "associate" instead of "member", indicating someone living outside their native country.

a global contributor

Replaces "member" with "contributor" and "foreign" with "global", emphasizing contributions from around the world.

an external delegate

Substitutes "member" with "delegate" and "foreign" with "external", stressing the representative aspect.

a cross-border liaison

Replaces "member" with "liaison" and "foreign" with "cross-border", highlighting the connection between countries.

FAQs

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

You can use "a foreign member" to describe someone who is part of an organization but comes from another country. For example: "The society welcomed "a foreign member" from Japan to share their expertise."

What's the difference between "a foreign member" and "an international member"?

While both terms are similar, "an international member" might suggest a broader scope, implying involvement with various nations, whereas "a foreign member" specifically indicates someone from a country other than where the organization is based.

Are there any formal alternatives to using "a foreign member"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "an overseas representative" or "a non-resident participant" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it correct to use "a foreign member" in academic writing?

Yes, it is appropriate to use "a foreign member" in academic writing when describing someone who is part of an organization or academy but originates from another country. The Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is perfectly acceptable.