foreign thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foreign thoughts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe ideas or concepts that originate from outside one's own culture or perspective, often implying a sense of unfamiliarity or difference. Example: "As I read the book, I was struck by the foreign thoughts that challenged my own beliefs and assumptions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 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

"As far as being completely off grid, it's kind of a foreign thought to me because you've always had to rely on the utilities," Fleischmann said.

Los Angeles Times

I used to love him," as if this idea was the most foreign thought I'd ever come up with in my whole life.

Huffington Post

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

The Guardian - Business

The African kingdom's elite independently and gradually intertwined old and new, local and foreign religious thought, political concepts, and visual forms to mold a novel and constantly evolving Kongo Christian worldview.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foreign thoughts" to describe ideas that challenge or broaden your existing beliefs by introducing perspectives from different cultures or experiences.

Common error

Avoid using "foreign thoughts" in casual conversation where simpler terms like "new ideas" or "different perspectives" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a slightly formal or academic tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foreign thoughts" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "foreign" modifies the noun "thoughts". It describes ideas that are perceived as originating from outside one's own cultural or cognitive framework. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and appropriateness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

27%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Science

9%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foreign thoughts" describes ideas or perspectives originating from outside one's own cultural or cognitive framework. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While it can be used across different contexts, it appears more frequently in news and media, and academic settings. When writing, consider if simpler alternatives such as "unfamiliar ideas" or "new perspectives" are more suitable, especially in informal contexts. Using "foreign thoughts" helps convey that certain ideas challenge or broaden existing beliefs by introducing perspectives from different cultures or experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alien concepts

Focuses on the unfamiliar and potentially unsettling nature of the ideas.

unfamiliar ideas

Highlights the lack of prior knowledge or exposure to the concepts.

novel notions

Emphasizes the newness and originality of the thoughts.

external perspectives

Draws attention to the outside source influencing one's viewpoint.

imported ideas

Suggests that the thoughts have been brought in from another culture or system.

outside influences

Broadly refers to external factors shaping thoughts, not specifically the thoughts themselves.

borrowed concepts

Indicates that the ideas have been taken or adapted from another source.

divergent thinking

Focuses on thoughts that deviate from the norm or common understanding.

cultural imports

Highlights the introduction of cultural elements that include related thoughts and ideas.

new schools of thought

Emphasizes a formal, structured system of thinking that is recently introduced.

FAQs

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

You can use "foreign thoughts" to describe ideas or concepts that originate from a different culture, background, or perspective than your own. For example, "Reading philosophy introduced me to "foreign thoughts" that challenged my worldview."

What is a simple alternative to "foreign thoughts"?

Alternatives to "foreign thoughts" include "unfamiliar ideas", "new perspectives", or "different viewpoints". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "foreign thoughts"?

The phrase "foreign thoughts" is suitable in academic writing, philosophical discussions, or when analyzing cultural differences. It's less common in everyday conversation, where simpler alternatives might be preferred.

What is the difference between "foreign thoughts" and "alien concepts"?

"Foreign thoughts" generally refers to ideas from another culture or background, while "alien concepts" often implies ideas that are bizarre, disturbing, or difficult to understand, regardless of their origin.