abroad

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "abroad" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a foreign country or a person who is outside of their native country. Example: My brother is working abroad and plans to travel to Europe soon.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That could involve irregular troops, cyber attacks and inflaming tensions with ethnic Russian minorities in nations seen as part of the country's "near abroad" by Moscow.

The Guardian

"We have lately seen an increase in the number of persons leaving Norway to take part in acts of war, attend training camps or join terrorist networks abroad," the Norwegian authorities said.

The New York Times

Drastic cuts in public spending any time soon, as proposed by several of these candidates, look wildly irresponsible given the headwinds the US economy is facing from abroad.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite reports of an 8% increase in GDP last year, living standards and employment do not appear to be rising, with an estimated 5-6 million Uzbeks going abroad to find work each year.

The Guardian

Many commentators noted that the letter, like the Republican invitation to the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, to address Congress last week without consulting the White House, marked a dramatic break from the tradition that partisan politics should "stop at the water's edge" and not spread into critical US defence and security policy abroad.

The Guardian

That's why we are giving the new agency new powers to force suspects to disclose information, to open up their accounts; to ensure that their advisers can't conceal evidence; and to track their movements not just in Britain but abroad.

The Guardian - Opinion

Young British artists invited abroad very seldom face the difficulties faced by young artists who live outside the EU and are invited to perform here.

The Guardian

He said he was willing to destroy a copy of the Snowden material at the Guardian's office in London because other copies were available abroad.

The Guardian

We feel it is really important that big companies are held to account for the way in which they undertake their activities abroad – especially when those activities take place in remote corners of faraway places, out of the public gaze".

The Guardian

The Metropolitan police force has signalled that it is prepared to send officers abroad if necessary to investigate the abuse allegations.

The Guardian

"He was one of the players recruited from abroad that the Polish media and fans were complaining about before the tournament - he was born and raised in France but was eligible because his grandfather was Polish.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about international matters, verify if "abroad" is the term that most accurately reflects the scope you are aiming for, considering alternatives like "internationally" or "globally" for broader implications.

Common error

Avoid using "abroad" when you specifically mean a region or continent. "Abroad" generally refers to any foreign country, not a particular area like Europe or Asia.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "abroad" primarily functions as an adverb of place, indicating location or direction in a foreign country. It modifies verbs to describe actions taking place internationally. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abroad" is a versatile adverb signifying location or action in a foreign country. As Ludwig AI underlines, its grammatical correctness and frequent usage make it suitable for various contexts, primarily in news and media. While synonyms like "overseas" and "internationally" exist, "abroad" remains a direct and commonly understood term for expressing international activity. Remember to use "abroad" to clearly indicate activities, travel, or residence in a foreign country, ensuring that your audience understands the geographical context. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overseas

A more concise way of saying "in or to a foreign country".

in another country

Directly states the condition of being in a different nation.

in a foreign country

Specifies that the location is a nation other than one's own.

in foreign lands

Emphasizes the geographical aspect of being in different countries.

outside the country

Emphasizes leaving one's own nation.

on foreign soil

Evokes a more formal and geographical sense of being in another country.

internationally

Focuses on the global aspect or involvement with other nations.

in foreign territories

Refers to lands under different governance.

in distant lands

Highlights the remoteness and exotic nature of the locations.

in the international arena

Highlights the global context of activities.

FAQs

How can I use "abroad" in a sentence?

You can use "abroad" in sentences like, "She decided to study "abroad" for a year" or "The company is expanding its business "abroad"".

What's the difference between "abroad" and "overseas"?

"Abroad" generally means 'in or to a foreign country'. "Overseas" typically refers to countries separated by the sea. While often interchangeable, "overseas" emphasizes the maritime distance more than "abroad" does.

What are some alternatives to saying "abroad"?

You can use alternatives like "in a foreign country", "overseas", or "internationally" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "travel abroad"?

Yes, "travel abroad" is a perfectly correct and common phrase. It means to travel to a foreign country or countries. It is a standard expression used to describe international travel for leisure, business, or other purposes.