foreign effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foreign effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an initiative or action taken by individuals or organizations from another country, often in the context of international relations, aid, or collaboration. Example: "The foreign effort to provide humanitarian aid was crucial in alleviating the crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Any foreign effort to acquire Sprint or WorldCom could meet political resistance in this country.

The New York Times

And parts of the foreign effort in Afghanistan also rely on Ahmed Wali, including allegedly the CIA (though he denies reports he is on the agency's payroll).

The Economist

Tesla fans on Long Island seem wary of the foreign effort, worrying that it might turn the old laboratory into a theme restaurant or a mystic wonderland — or both.

The New York Times - Science

They imagine that exposure to a foreign effort to muddle American politics can fundamentally change the fate of this country—and by imagining it, they render the country all the more muddled, divided, and vulnerable.

The New Yorker

The WHO has repeatedly called for governments to send international medical teams, but the foreign effort remains largely in the hands of the charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, which has said it is overwhelmed and has pleaded for help.

Huffington Post

And then gone on to point out that the release of information was so haphazard, and the information itself largely dismissed by most of the media at the time as not especially consequential, that it was clear there was no truly serious foreign effort to win his election.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

If the space-export regime is typical, then similar mistakes are being made in other areas of defence technology, with similarly harmful consequences.It makes sense for America to use trade restrictions to hamper foreign efforts in space.

The Economist

Better regulation and financial reporting would also help investment capital to find the best opportunities, boosting productivity growth.So far, governments have portrayed any such suggestions as foreign efforts to exploit local weakness.

The Economist

The US officials told the Journal they were not certain whether this activity was to make the weapons ready to use against rebels or civilians, to safeguard the material or to complicate foreign efforts to track them.

The Guardian

The foreign efforts to sway the new team are normal during any presidential transition, but they are accelerated in this case, foreign policy experts say, because of the historic nature of Mr. Obama's election and the significantly different course that world leaders expect him to pursue in American foreign policy.

The New York Times

During his trip he remarked on an "astonishing and quite unpredictable explosion" in Christian numbers in China in recent years.The party still mouths its alarmist rhetoric about what it says are foreign efforts to use religion as a means of undermining the party's grip on power.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotation you wish to convey. "Foreign effort" can be neutral, but alternatives like "international collaboration" or "external intervention" carry different implications.

Common error

Avoid using "foreign effort" as a vague descriptor. Instead, specify the type of effort (e.g., "foreign aid effort", "foreign investment effort") for better precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foreign effort" functions as a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI shows, it typically acts as a subject or object, describing an undertaking or initiative carried out by a foreign entity. For example, "Any foreign effort to acquire Sprint or WorldCom could meet political resistance."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foreign effort" denotes an action or initiative undertaken by a foreign entity. As per Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and predominantly found in news and media contexts. While relatively uncommon, the phrase serves to describe, categorize, or evaluate actions originating from other countries, and as exemplified in Ludwig, context can change the tone. When precision is required, it's advisable to provide a specific description. Several alternative phrases can be used to convey particular nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

international endeavor

Emphasizes the collaborative nature and global scope, differing from a potentially unilateral "foreign effort".

overseas initiative

Focuses on the geographical aspect, highlighting that the effort originates from a different country.

external intervention

Suggests a more forceful or impactful involvement from abroad, often implying a disruption of the existing state.

international operation

Implies a structured and coordinated activity involving multiple countries.

foreign-backed scheme

Suggests a plan or project supported financially or politically by a foreign entity, possibly with negative connotations.

cross-border activity

Highlights the involvement of crossing national borders and could be applied to various fields.

international mission

Conveys a specific, defined purpose that typically involves a group of people from different nations.

external campaign

Similar to effort but implies a sustained and organized course of action with a specific goal.

foreign-led initiative

Underscores that the project is being directed or spearheaded by a foreign entity.

international collaboration

Emphasizes the partnership and cooperation between different countries.

FAQs

What does "foreign effort" mean in a political context?

In politics, "foreign effort" typically refers to actions or initiatives undertaken by a country or group of countries to influence events or policies in another country. It can range from diplomatic negotiations to providing aid or even "external intervention".

What are some alternatives to "foreign effort" that sound more positive?

If you want to convey a more positive tone, consider using phrases such as "international collaboration", "international endeavor", or "overseas initiative".

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

You might say, "The success of the project depended on the ongoing "international operation"." or "Concerns were raised about a potential "foreign-backed scheme" to destabilize the region."

Is "foreign effort" always a negative term?

No, "foreign effort" is not inherently negative. Its connotation depends on the context. It can be neutral or even positive, especially when referring to humanitarian aid or collaborative projects. However, it can also carry negative implications if associated with "external intervention" or "foreign-backed schemes".