is alien to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is alien to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone or something who does not understand or has no experience with something. Example: His experience with online banking is alien to him, so he has been asking for help.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Nothing human is alien to supernatural fiction".

The New Yorker

Cat aloofness is alien to dogkind.

The New Yorker

The film's theme is alien to our culture".

The New York Times

The class system is alien to me all right.

Independent

This thinking is alien to the Trump Administration.

The New Yorker

This is a mindset that is alien to us".

The Guardian

Art theory is alien to my art practice.

The New Yorker

This Daoist ideal is alien to our pragmatic modernity.

The Guardian - Opinion

The world of actors and celebrities is alien to me.

The Guardian - Film

The nature of the negotiation is alien to the business world.

The New York Times

Concisely styled, the grimly expressive face is alien to classical aesthetics.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is alien to", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is unfamiliar or not understood. For example, instead of saying "The concept is alien", specify "The concept of quantum physics is alien to me."

Common error

Avoid using "is alien to" when you simply mean something is disliked or disagreed with. "Alien" implies a lack of understanding or familiarity, not just a negative opinion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is alien to" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's relationship to something unfamiliar or foreign. It indicates a lack of understanding, knowledge, or experience. Ludwig confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is alien to" effectively conveys a lack of understanding or familiarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, most notably in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to use it precisely to indicate a genuine lack of understanding, rather than simple disagreement. Consider alternatives like "is unfamiliar with" or "is foreign to" for subtle variations in meaning. With a neutral register, "is alien to" can be used in both formal and informal settings, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is foreign to

Directly replaces "alien" with "foreign", emphasizing the sense of being external or not belonging.

is unfamiliar with

Replaces "alien" with "unfamiliar", focusing on a lack of experience rather than something being foreign or strange.

is unacquainted with

Similar to "unfamiliar with", but suggests a complete lack of knowledge or personal experience.

is outside the realm of

Indicates that something is not within a person's experience or knowledge.

has no knowledge of

Focuses on the complete absence of information or awareness regarding a topic.

is beyond comprehension for

Shifts the focus to the inability to understand something, suggesting it's too complex or abstract.

is not conversant with

Implies a lack of expertise or familiarity with a specific subject or skill.

is new to

Simple way to express that something is a recent experience.

is insensitive to

Indicates a lack of awareness or consideration for something, often emotional or cultural.

is untouched by

Suggests something has not been influenced or affected by a particular experience or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "is alien to" in a sentence?

You can use "is alien to" to indicate that something is unfamiliar or not understood by someone. For example, "The concept of cryptocurrency "is alien to" many older adults".

What's a more formal alternative to "is alien to"?

More formal alternatives include "is foreign to" or "is unfamiliar with", which maintain a similar meaning while sounding more sophisticated.

How does "is alien to" differ from "is strange to"?

"Is strange to" implies something is unusual or odd, while ""is alien to"" suggests a lack of understanding or experience. Something can be strange without being completely unfamiliar.

Can "is alien to" be used for both people and concepts?

Yes, ""is alien to"" can be used to describe both a person's unfamiliarity with a concept (e.g., "Calculus is alien to him") or a concept's foreignness to a culture (e.g., "This custom is alien to our traditions").