foreign concept

USAGE SUMMARY

"foreign concept" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is unfamiliar and difficult to understand. For example: "The idea of an alien invasion seemed like a foreign concept to me at first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It'd be a foreign concept.

The New York Times

It's a foreign concept to them".

The New York Times - Magazine

Health care is a foreign concept.

The New York Times - Sports

Most important, gridlock is a foreign concept at Westminster.

The Economist

Summer camp was a foreign concept where I grew up.

The New York Times

But this was a foreign concept, Shahbandar said.

The New Yorker

No reason for tennis there to become a foreign concept.

The New York Times - Sports

Smallness is a relatively foreign concept to American car culture.

The New York Times

Data also seems to be a foreign concept.

The Guardian

For me, eco-tourism was a foreign concept".

The New York Times - Travel

After all, it's not as if comedy itself were a foreign concept.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foreign concept" to introduce ideas that may challenge conventional thinking or cultural norms. This can create intrigue and encourage deeper engagement with the topic.

Common error

Avoid using "foreign concept" without providing sufficient explanation or background information. What is unfamiliar to you may not be unfamiliar to everyone. Tailor your explanation to your audience's likely level of knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foreign concept" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object. It identifies something as being unfamiliar or not easily understood. Ludwig shows its versatile use in describing various abstract and concrete subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foreign concept" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote something unfamiliar or difficult to grasp. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its prevalence across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure to provide sufficient context to clarify what makes the concept "foreign" to your audience. Consider alternatives like ""unfamiliar idea"" or "alien notion" to fine-tune the specific nuance you want to convey. Avoiding assumptions about universal understanding is key to clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfamiliar idea

Focuses on the lack of familiarity with the idea.

alien notion

Emphasizes the strangeness or otherness of the notion.

incomprehensible concept

Highlights the difficulty in understanding the concept.

unknown principle

Highlights the lack of knowledge surrounding the principle.

unintelligible notion

Emphasizes the lack of clarity or understanding.

novel concept

Stresses the newness and originality of the concept.

obscure concept

Highlights the concept's difficulty to be understood.

esoteric idea

Suggests the idea is understood by only a small number of people.

unfamiliar paradigm

Highlights the lack of knowledge surrounding the paradigm.

radical idea

Emphasizes the innovative and new character of the concept.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something is a "foreign concept"?

Saying something is a "foreign concept" means it is unfamiliar, strange, or not easily understood by a particular person or group.

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

You might say, "The idea of universal basic income was a "novel concept" a few years ago, but it's gaining traction now." Or, "For many people in rural areas, high-speed internet is still a "unfamiliar idea"."

What are some alternatives to "foreign concept"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, you could use phrases like ""unfamiliar idea"", "alien notion", or "obscure concept".

Is it appropriate to use "foreign concept" in formal writing?

Yes, "foreign concept" is appropriate for formal writing, but ensure you provide sufficient context to explain the concept to your audience, especially if it's a highly specialized or technical term.