foreign know how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foreign know how" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to specialized knowledge or expertise that originates from another country, often in a business or technical context. Example: "The company is looking to acquire foreign know how to enhance its product development capabilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We don't want foreign leaders to know how much we paid for them," a State Department official told me.

The New Yorker

But now, if we have to do nation-building again or pass certain skills on to foreign governments, we know how to do it". The public caught an unprecedented glimpse of the behind-the-scenes workings of U.S. diplomacy through an unauthorized release of more than 250,000 State Department cables -- some of them secret -- by the website WikiLeaks in 2010.

HuffPost

It requires good-old foreign know-how.

The New York Times - Magazine

Much of the growth in China's booming seaboard provinces has come from foreign money, foreign know-how and foreign trade.

The Economist

"They are tying up with a foreign firm to tap foreign know-how on the disposal of bad loans.

The New York Times

The showcase of this foreign know-how and expertise, of course, is the massive redevelopment of Jurong Island into an innovation showcase for the energy and chemicals industries.

The Washington Post

He would like rich countries to impose "intellectual-property sanctions" on China, to prevent it from acquiring the advanced technology behind such things as passenger jets until it stops pilfering foreign know-how.

The Economist

The presence of American troops in the Gulf, though no longer on Saudi soil, reassures the Saudis and China, since it can bank on America's presence.As a net capital exporter with only a basic education system, Saudi Arabia needs foreign know-how and training more than it needs foreign cash for investment.

The Economist

The marriage of foreign know-how, Chinese labour and the open, global market has succeeded beyond anyone's predictions.In this section The cracks appear And the winner is… Shades of grey Beware the Merkozy recipe The serious business of fun ReprintsIt is instead China's trading partners who now contemplate its WTO membership with furrowed brows (see article).

The Economist

Yet when he was inaugurated as president again last May, Vladimir Putin signed a decree calling for the sale of all state holdings in firms outside the defence and energy industries by 2016.The aims may be different from the 1990s: to import foreign know-how, to attract investors and to improve corporate governance, as well as filling state coffers.

The Economist

But Beijing's concerted effort at home and abroad to acquire foreign know-how already sounded the alarm in Washington.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing business expansion or innovation, emphasize how acquiring "foreign know how" can provide a competitive edge by introducing novel techniques and perspectives.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all "foreign know how" is inherently superior. Clearly specify the origin and context of the knowledge to highlight its relevance and applicability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foreign know how" functions as a noun phrase, where "foreign" acts as an adjective modifying "know how". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It refers to specialized knowledge or expertise that originates from another country.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Foreign know how" is a noun phrase describing expertise or knowledge originating from another country. While grammatically correct, its frequency is low but Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. It's commonly used in contexts such as news, formal business, and scientific discussions, highlighting international collaborations and technology transfer. Alternative phrases include "international expertise" and "overseas knowledge". When using "foreign know how", specifying the knowledge's origin and relevance is best to avoid overgeneralizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

International expertise

Focuses on the expert level of knowledge from an international source, rather than just the knowledge itself.

Overseas knowledge

Emphasizes the geographical origin of the knowledge being from overseas.

Imported skills

Highlights that the skills have been brought in from another region or country.

Global best practices

Refers to methods or techniques considered superior on a global scale.

Cross-cultural competence

Stresses the ability to understand and interact effectively with people from different cultures.

International technology transfer

Focuses on the process of moving technological knowledge across national borders.

Expatriate talent

Refers to skilled individuals living and working in a country other than their own.

Transnational proficiency

Highlights a high level of skill that extends across national boundaries.

Worldwide proficiency

Highlights expertise that exists all over the world.

Global capabilities

Emphasizes the ability to perform specific tasks or functions on a global scale.

FAQs

How can I use "foreign know how" in a sentence?

You can use "foreign know how" to describe the acquisition or application of skills and knowledge originating from other countries. For example: "The company sought "foreign know how" to improve its manufacturing processes."

What are some alternatives to "foreign know how"?

Alternatives include "international expertise", "overseas knowledge", or "imported skills", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "foreign know how" and "domestic know how"?

"Foreign know how" refers to skills and knowledge originating from other countries, whereas "domestic know how" refers to skills and knowledge originating from within one's own country.

In what contexts is "foreign know how" most relevant?

"Foreign know how" is particularly relevant in contexts involving international business, technology transfer, cross-cultural collaboration, and global innovation initiatives.