foreignness

USAGE SUMMARY

"foreignness" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to refer to the state of being foreign or unfamiliar. For example, "The foreignness of the culture made the traveler feel out of place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And Locke is out of joint with his job: though he is famous for his foreign reports, foreignness is his defeat.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker watched, fascinated, as this exotic foreign food began to lose its foreignness and become, in various ways, American.

The New Yorker

"I can't deny there are risks," says Ian Gow, provost of the Ningbo campus.For all China's reservations about ceding control to foreigners, there has been no attempt to disguise the foreignness of the 39-hectare (96-acre) site.

The Economist

Ashima, who is an Indian émigré, compares the experience of foreignness to that of "a parenthesis in what had once been an ordinary life, only to discover that the previous life has vanished, replaced by something more complicated and demanding .Beware, then: however well you carry it off, however much you enjoy it, there is a dangerous undertow to being a foreigner, even a genteel foreigner.

The Economist

The dilemma of foreignness comes down to one of liberty versus fraternity the pleasures of freedom versus the pleasures of belonging.

The Economist

How much greater might the adventure be, how much more intense the sense of foreignness, if there were no possibility of return?For the real exile, foreignness is not an adventure but a test of endurance.

The Economist

A life of foreignness imposed by poverty or persecution or exile is unlikely to be enjoyable at all.Even so, all other things being equal, foreignness is intrinsically stimulating.

The Economist

They create programmes about exotic wildlife and locations that can be shown anywhere, foreignness being part of their appeal.In any case, the traffic is not one-way.

The Economist

But what about the others, who find home oppressive and foreignness liberating?

The Economist

By the early 20th century most of the world was similarly compartmentalised.Irresponsibility might seem to moralists an unsatisfactory condition, but in practice it can be a huge reliefThe golden age of genteel foreignness began.

The Economist

Julia Kristeva, a Bulgarian-born intellectual resettled in France, has caught this sense of deprivation by comparing the experience of foreignness with the loss of a mother.But we cannot expect to have it all ways.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foreignness" to describe the abstract quality of being foreign or unfamiliar, rather than a specific foreign object or person.

Common error

Avoid using "foreignness" when you mean simply "foreign". "Foreignness" is a quality or state, not a direct descriptor of an object or person.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "foreignness" is that of an abstract noun. It represents the quality or state of being foreign. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where "foreignness" acts as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foreignness" functions as an abstract noun denoting the state of being foreign or unfamiliar. Ludwig AI confirms it to be grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias, suggesting a formal to neutral register. While semantically linked to alternatives such as "otherness" or "cultural unfamiliarity", it's vital to use "foreignness" to describe the quality of being foreign, not as a direct substitute for "foreign" itself. Common pitfalls include misusing its scope and context, which can be avoided by understanding its abstract nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

state of being foreign

Focuses on the condition of being from another country or culture.

quality of being alien

Emphasizes the unfamiliar and strange nature of something.

sense of otherness

Highlights the feeling of being different or distinct from the majority.

cultural unfamiliarity

Specifically relates to a lack of knowledge or understanding of a culture.

exotic nature

Focuses on the alluring and unusual aspects of something foreign.

lack of familiarity

Highlights the absence of prior knowledge or experience.

alien environment

Describes a setting that feels foreign or hostile.

unconventional aspect

Points out something that deviates from the norm or tradition.

novelty and strangeness

Combines the concepts of newness and peculiarity.

uncommon characteristic

Indicates a trait that is not frequently encountered.

FAQs

How can I use "foreignness" in a sentence?

You can use "foreignness" to describe the state or quality of being foreign or unfamiliar. For example, "The "foreignness" of the culture was initially overwhelming." or "He was fascinated by the "foreignness" of the language."

What's the difference between "foreignness" and "foreign"?

"Foreign" is an adjective describing something from another country or culture, while "foreignness" is a noun referring to the state or quality of being foreign. For example, you might say "That is a foreign car," but "The "foreignness" of the city made her feel isolated."

What can I say instead of "foreignness"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "otherness", "alien nature", or "unfamiliarity". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "foreignness" a positive or negative quality?

The term "foreignness" itself is neutral. Whether it's perceived as positive or negative depends on the context and the individual's perspective. Sometimes it's associated with excitement and novelty, while other times it can evoke feelings of unease or exclusion.