move countries

USAGE SUMMARY

"move countries" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase means to relocate to a different country and can be used in a variety of contexts. For example, "After residing in the UK for fifteen years, I decided to move countries and settle in Canada."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Anger does not move countries, but it moves movements — and movements, in turn, can move countries.

The New York Times

It helps to move countries I think," she says.

The Guardian

Employers also see the ability to move countries as a plus.

The Guardian - Money

Maintaining the current level of the renminbi also means the central bank cannot easily push up interest rates — a move countries normally use to battle inflation.

The New York Times

If Messrs Kharas and Rogerson are right, aid donors need to concentrate on governance and try to move countries from the fragile to the stable category a daunting task.

The Economist

The summit – the first such gathering of world leaders in five years – was convened to move countries towards an international agreement in Paris to fight climate change by the end of next year.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

His biggest challenge will be moving countries.

The Guardian

Eventually he and his wife moved countries.

The Guardian - Music

With my career change, it also meant moving countries was now a realistic option too.

The Guardian

While moving countries and phone numbers, we lost contact with my dad.

The Guardian

He was offered a university teaching position in Algeria and so, once again, we packed our bags and moved countries.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing long-term plans, use "move countries" to clearly indicate a permanent or semi-permanent relocation, distinguishing it from short-term travel or temporary assignments.

Common error

Avoid using "move countries" when referring to short trips or vacations. Use phrases like "travel abroad" or "visit other countries" instead to accurately reflect the temporary nature of the journey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move countries" functions as a verb phrase, describing the act of relocating from one country to another. According to Ludwig, this is a perfectly valid and usable phrase. It acts as a descriptor of a significant life change.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "move countries" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase used to describe relocation to a different nation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in English. Although relatively uncommon, the phrase appears across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and business domains. When using this phrase, it's important to distinguish it from temporary travel and to consider the potential long-term implications of such a move. The related phrases provide alternative ways to express similar concepts, with slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relocate internationally

Focuses on the act of relocating, specifying that it's across international borders.

migrate internationally

Highlights the act of migration, specifying that it's across international borders.

emigrate

Implies leaving one's country of origin to settle permanently in another.

immigrate

Focuses on entering a new country to live permanently.

resettle abroad

Emphasizes the act of settling in a foreign country, often implying a more permanent arrangement.

transfer residence internationally

A formal way of expressing the change of one's official residence to another country.

go abroad to live

A more descriptive and less formal way of saying "move countries".

live overseas

Indicates residing in a country across the sea or ocean.

seek opportunities abroad

Highlights the motivation behind moving to another country: searching for better opportunities.

establish oneself in a foreign land

Emphasizes the effort and commitment involved in settling in a new country.

FAQs

How can I use "move countries" in a sentence?

You can use "move countries" to describe the act of relocating to a different nation for an extended period. For example: "Many professionals "relocate internationally" for better career opportunities".

What's a less formal way to say "move countries"?

Less formal ways to say "move countries" include phrases like "go abroad to live" or simply "live overseas".

Is there a difference between "move countries" and "migrate internationally"?

While similar, "migrate internationally" often implies a larger-scale movement of people, while "move countries" is more general and can refer to individual or family relocation. Also, "migrate" has a more permanent connotation than "move".

What is the best alternative to "move countries" when the relocation is for study purposes?

When the relocation to another country is for education, you can substitute "move countries" with the sentence "study abroad".