external aid

USAGE SUMMARY

"external aid" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate any form of assistance that comes from outside of a given situation or group. For example: "The company sought external aid to fight against bankruptcy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It provided €12.3bn of external aid in 2011.

The Guardian

It lambasts DfID for instances of corruption that no external aid agency could possibly control.

The Guardian

It is also a case study in a country that needs internal change before external aid.

The Economist

"Knowing other external aid programs, Portugal can feel reassured," he said.

The New York Times

True, Germany received billions of dollars of external aid to rebuild after the desolation it created for itself in 1945.

The Guardian - Opinion

Another potential claim is that the replacement tendon comes from the player's own body, while steroids are an external aid.

The Economist

Ukraine's borders were closed to external aid in 1932 and 1933 and the famine became known as "Holodomor," meaning death by hunger.

The New York Times

"I have come to believe that most external aid is doing more harm than good," he wrote in "The Great Escape".

The New Yorker

He, too, had eye surgery for survival purposes, eliminating his dependence, as he put it, "on a nonsustainable external aid for perfect vision".

The New Yorker

The World Health Organisation criticised that report, saying some of the information was outdated and did not reflect improvements made with external aid.

The Guardian

Borrowing costs fell and demand was very solid – as Madrid continues to survive without external aid (see 9.59am) There were more protests in Greece.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing international relations or development, use "external aid" to refer to assistance provided by foreign entities to support a country's economy, infrastructure, or humanitarian efforts.

Common error

Avoid using "external aid" when referring to resources or assistance generated within a country or organization. "External aid" specifically denotes help from outside sources.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "external aid" is as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the concept of assistance provided from an outside source. Ludwig confirms its usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "external aid" is a commonly used phrase referring to assistance provided by outside sources, often in the context of international relations, development, or humanitarian efforts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it carries significant implications regarding dependency, sustainability, and the effectiveness of aid programs. When using "external aid", it's crucial to consider the specific context and avoid confusing it with internally generated resources or support. Alternatives like "foreign assistance" or "international aid" may be appropriate depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foreign assistance

Replaces "aid" with "assistance", emphasizing the supportive nature of the help provided from another country.

international assistance

Specifies that the aid comes from international sources, highlighting its global origin.

overseas development assistance

A more formal term, commonly used in governmental and organizational contexts, focusing on development efforts.

humanitarian relief

Focuses on aid provided during humanitarian crises, such as natural disasters or conflicts.

economic support

Emphasizes the financial aspect of the aid, highlighting its role in bolstering the economy.

development funding

Highlights the use of funds to promote development in various sectors.

financial assistance

Directly refers to monetary help, underlining its role in providing resources.

aid from abroad

Simple rephrasing clarifying that the help originates from outside the country.

donor assistance

Focuses on the role of donors in providing aid, highlighting the source of the support.

relief aid

Specific to aid provided in situations requiring immediate relief, such as after a disaster.

FAQs

How is "external aid" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "external aid" is used to describe assistance, typically financial or resource-based, that comes from outside a particular entity, like a country or organization. For example: "The country's economy is heavily reliant on "foreign aid"".

What are some synonyms for "external aid"?

Alternatives to "external aid" include "foreign assistance", "international aid", and "overseas development assistance", depending on the specific context.

Is "external aid" the same as "internal support"?

No, "external aid" refers to assistance coming from outside an entity, while "internal support" refers to resources and help generated from within the entity itself. They are opposite concepts.

What is the difference between "external aid" and "humanitarian aid"?

"External aid" is a broad term encompassing any assistance from outside a given system. "Humanitarian aid" specifically refers to assistance provided to alleviate suffering during emergencies like natural disasters or conflicts.