foreign investment

USAGE SUMMARY

"foreign investment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to investment from a foreign source such as a company from another country. For example: "The country is trying to attract more foreign investment to build its infrastructure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Foreign investment quadrupled.

The New York Times

Foreign investment has slowed.

The Economist

Foreign investment has dived.

The Economist

Foreign investment is negligible.

The New York Times

Foreign investment has halted.

The Economist

Foreign investment was also encouraged.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Foreign investment is drying up.

The Economist

Foreign investment has dried up.

The New York Times

He wants more foreign investment.

The Economist

Foreign investment is pouring in.

The Economist

Foreign investment may pick up.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "foreign investment", specify the type (e.g., foreign direct investment, portfolio investment) for clarity, especially in technical contexts.

Common error

Avoid assuming that increased "foreign investment" automatically leads to economic growth; consider other contributing factors and potential downsides like dependency or exploitation.

Linguistic Context

Foreign investment functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to the act of investing capital from one country into another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and accepted term in English. The examples show it being used to describe economic activity and government policy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Foreign investment is a widely used and understood term referring to capital inflows from foreign sources. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is correct and applicable in numerous contexts. Our analysis indicates the phrase is prevalent in news, academic writing, and encyclopedic entries. While generally neutral, it is often associated with discussions of economic policy and business strategy. To ensure precision, specify the type of foreign investment when possible, and be mindful of potential causal fallacies when linking it to economic outcomes. Consider alternatives like "international funding" or "overseas capital" to add variety to your writing. The many examples Ludwig provides show that this term is very actively used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overseas capital

Refers to capital originating from outside the country; uses a more direct synonym for "investment".

international funding

Highlights the funding aspect of the investment, emphasizing its international source.

cross-border investment

Emphasizes the movement of investment across national borders.

inbound investment

Focuses on the direction of the investment flow, specifically into a country.

international capital inflow

A more formal and detailed way of describing money coming into a country from abroad.

foreign direct capital

Specifies the direct nature of the foreign capital, implying control and long-term interest.

global investment

Broadens the scope to include investments from anywhere in the world.

external financing

Highlights the financing aspect from sources outside the domestic economy.

foreign capital influx

Describes a significant and sudden arrival of capital from foreign sources.

international financial backing

Emphasizes financial support from international entities.

FAQs

How is "foreign investment" typically used in a sentence?

"Foreign investment" is commonly used as a subject or object, such as in "Foreign investment is crucial for economic development" or "The government is seeking to attract "more foreign investment"".

What are some synonyms for "foreign investment"?

Alternatives include "overseas capital", "international funding", or "cross-border investment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "foreign investment" and "foreign aid"?

"Foreign investment" involves investors expecting a return, while "foreign aid" is typically given as assistance without expectation of direct financial return.

What factors influence "foreign investment" decisions?

Factors include political stability, economic policies, infrastructure, and the regulatory environment of the host country.