from abroad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "from abroad" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to things that originate in a foreign country. For example, "I brought a souvenir from abroad for my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And they're paid from abroad".

The New York Times

Materials were scrounged from abroad.

The Economist

So, what news from abroad?

The New Yorker

They wanted magic from abroad.

The New Yorker

Egypt needs help from abroad.

The New York Times

It came from abroad.

The New York Times

Why buy from abroad?

The Guardian - Opinion

Orders from abroad rose despite sterling.

The Economist

About 90% of sales come from abroad.

The Economist

Speaking out from abroad was not enough.

The New York Times

Words of encouragement came from abroad.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "from abroad", ensure the context clearly establishes the reference point. For example, "investment from abroad" implies investment originating outside the speaker's or subject's country.

Common error

Avoid using "from abroad" when a more specific geographical reference is needed. Saying "aid from abroad" is less informative than specifying "aid from European countries".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from abroad" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or nouns to indicate the origin or source of something as being in a foreign country. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is deemed correct and appears in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "from abroad" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase indicating origin or source in a foreign country. As verified by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and academic settings. When using "from abroad", consider whether more specific origin details would enhance clarity. While alternatives like "from overseas" or "internationally sourced" offer subtle nuances, the phrase remains a reliable and direct way to convey international origin in your writing. Because of the numerous examples and its correctness, this confirms it's a strong option for referring to things originating outside of one's home country.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from overseas

Replaces "abroad" with a more geographically specific term, implying origin from across the sea.

from a foreign country

More explicit and emphasizes the foreign origin.

internationally sourced

Highlights the international aspect of the origin, suitable for formal contexts.

of foreign origin

Focuses on the origin of something being foreign.

from international sources

Emphasizes multiple sources from different countries.

from outside the country

Provides a clear contrast between domestic and foreign origin.

from foreign lands

A more evocative and literary way to say "from abroad".

imported

Implies the movement of goods or ideas "from abroad".

from a different nation

Highlights the national difference in origin.

from foreign territories

Specifies that the origin is from foreign territories, perhaps implying colonial contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "from abroad" in a sentence?

You can use "from abroad" to indicate the origin of something is a foreign country. For example, "We receive many orders "from abroad"" or "The company attracts talent "from abroad"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "from abroad"?

Some alternatives to "from abroad" include "from overseas", "from a foreign country", or "internationally sourced" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "from overseas" and "from abroad"?

"From overseas" specifically implies origin across the sea, while "from abroad" is a more general term referring to any foreign country. They are often interchangeable, but "from overseas" might be more appropriate when emphasizing a geographical separation by ocean.

When is it best to use "from abroad" instead of a more specific country name?

Use "from abroad" when the specific country of origin is irrelevant or unknown, or when you want to emphasize the foreign nature in general. If the origin is important, specify the country (e.g., "investment from Japan" instead of "investment "from abroad"").