foreign thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foreign thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to ideas or concepts that originate from outside one's own culture or country, often implying a different perspective or way of thinking. Example: "The philosopher explored the impact of foreign thought on local traditions and beliefs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It's like a foreign thought.

The New York Times - Sports

Implanted on the land bridge between Africa and Asia, it was exposed to crosscurrents of foreign thought throughout its history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It would have been a foreign thought to him: the Lakers grew with the Knicks, and the Knicks grew with the Lakers.

The New Yorker

Generating revenue on day one isn't a foreign thought in Columbus, it's a necessity.

TechCrunch

The contribution of those generations was largely restricted to the importation of foreign thought; originality in substantive doctrine was rarely achieved.

SEP

Being successful has always been a foreign thought for me.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"A foreign country gives one foreign thoughts," reflects Mr Shi, the rootless, self-deluding protagonist of the collection's title piece, but Yiyun has an impressive ability to write perceptively about lost people rather than being lost herself: a crucial difference.

The Guardian - Books

Amid the low hum of gloomy conversation in foreign languages, thoughts always seem to be drifting back to work.

The Guardian - Business

Only ten of her poems were published in her lifetime, all anonymously; publication was, as she put it, as "foreign to my thought, as Firmament to Fin".

The New Yorker

Though some saw a proof of the holiness of life in some ascetic practices, a fully developed ascetical system of life has remained foreign to Jewish thought, and ascetic trends could, therefore, appear only on the periphery of Judaism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With so many guests "borrowed" from other destinations and Brexit raising questions about the future of Spain's single greatest source of foreign visitors, urgent thought needs to be given to the tourist sector, which accounted for more than 11% of Spain's GDP in 2015 and which is predicted to grow by 4.4% this year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the influence of "foreign thought", be specific about the origin and context of the idea to avoid generalizations and promote a deeper understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "foreign thought" in a way that suggests a monolithic view of a culture. Recognize the diversity within any culture and the complex interplay of ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foreign thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a concept or idea that originates from a different culture or source. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used correctly in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foreign thought" is a valid and useful phrase for describing ideas originating from outside a specific context, with Ludwig AI confirming its correct usage. While not exceedingly common, it appears in reputable sources, especially in news, academic, and encyclopedia contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of the potential for oversimplification and ensure specificity regarding the origin and impact of the thought. Related phrases like "alien concept" or "external idea" can offer alternative ways to express similar meanings, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foreign concept

A more direct substitution, simply swapping "thought" for "concept".

alien concept

Emphasizes the strangeness and unfamiliarity of the idea.

unfamiliar concept

Stresses the lack of prior knowledge or experience with the idea.

external idea

Focuses on the origin of the thought from an outside source.

borrowed idea

Implies the idea has been taken or adopted from another source.

imported notion

Highlights the introduction of the idea from another culture or system.

non-native thought

Highlights that the origin of the thought is not local.

novel idea

Indicates the newness and originality of the thought.

new perspective

Focuses on the different viewpoint offered by the idea.

exotic idea

Suggests a thought that's intriguing because of its foreign nature.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "foreign thought" in a sentence?

You can use "foreign thought" to describe ideas or concepts that originate from outside a particular culture or context. For example: "The philosopher explored the impact of "foreign thought" on local traditions and beliefs."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "foreign thought"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "alien concept", "external idea", or "unfamiliar concept".

Is it better to use "foreign thought" or "foreign idea"?

Both "foreign thought" and "foreign idea" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Thought" might imply a more developed or complex concept, while "idea" is more general.

How does "foreign thought" differ from "inward thought"?

"Foreign thought" refers to ideas originating from outside, whereas "inward thought" refers to personal reflections and internal ideas.