foreign eggs

USAGE SUMMARY

"foreign eggs" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to describe eggs from a different country, such as "The grocery store now has foreign eggs from Mexico for sale."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

What about foreign eggs?

Independent

Salmonella is back in the news, because the Food Standards Agency has found high levels of salmonella in foreign eggs.

Independent

Either they improve their ability to recognize foreign eggs by sight, or they vary the color of their own eggs so that they are harder for the cuckoo finch to counterfeit.

The New York Times - Science

Scientists led by Claire N. Spottiswoode, a research fellow at the University of Cambridge, placed foreign eggs in the nests of three closely related species of warbler in southern Zambia.

The New York Times - Science

But why do only some of these unwitting foster parents kick out the obviously foreign eggs?

Science Magazine

"It's very good at detecting and rejecting foreign eggs," says Spottiswoode.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The tawny-flanked prinia was very poor at distinguishing a similar-appearing foreign egg from its own by sight.

The New York Times - Science

The red-faced cisticola, on the other hand, was very good at identifying a foreign egg by sight, yet its own eggs are the least variable in appearance.

The New York Times - Science

Most small birds react unfavourably if they perceive a foreign egg in the nest and either abandon the nest, build another nest right over the first, or eject the strange egg.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"If you put a foreign egg in their nest, they are extremely good at getting shot of it immediately," she says.

BBC

Nests were monitored on a daily basis for six days after experimental parasitism in order to record the response, which was classified as acceptance (foreign egg(s) warm and being incubated) or rejection (foreign egg(s) gone or left cold in the nest).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing food safety, specify the country or region of origin of the "foreign eggs" to provide clearer information.

Common error

Avoid generalizing quality or safety standards. Egg production regulations vary significantly between countries. Saying something like "all foreign eggs are unsafe" is inaccurate and misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foreign eggs" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "foreign" modifies the noun "eggs". It describes eggs originating from a different country or source. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foreign eggs" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote eggs originating from outside a particular country or region. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its frequency is classified as common, with prominent usage in science, news media, and wiki contexts. While the phrase is generally acceptable, specific origin should be provided where quality or safety is concerned and generalizing standards should be avoided. Alternatives include "imported eggs" or "eggs from abroad", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imported eggs

Focuses specifically on the act of importing eggs from another country.

eggs from abroad

Emphasizes the origin of the eggs being from a different country or region.

non-local eggs

Highlights that the eggs are not sourced from the immediate area.

eggs of foreign origin

A more formal way of indicating the eggs' international source.

eggs from overseas

Specifically denotes eggs originating from across the sea.

eggs produced abroad

Focuses on the production location of the eggs.

eggs from other countries

A straightforward way to state the eggs' origin in different countries.

eggs not domestically produced

Emphasizes that the eggs are not from the home country.

eggs sourced internationally

Highlights the international sourcing of the eggs.

eggs with international provenance

A sophisticated way of noting the eggs' international origin and history.

FAQs

What does "foreign eggs" mean in the context of bird nests?

In ornithology, "foreign eggs" refers to eggs laid by a different species, often in the context of brood parasitism where one bird species lays its eggs in the nest of another.

How can I use the term "foreign eggs" in a sentence about food?

You can say, "The recipe calls for "imported eggs" from France because of their unique flavor profile."

Are "foreign eggs" always less safe than locally sourced eggs?

Not necessarily. Safety standards vary by country. Research the regulations of the source country to make an informed decision.

What's the difference between "foreign eggs" and "domestic eggs"?

"Foreign eggs" come from another country, while "domestic eggs" are produced in the local region or country.