nationals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nationals" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to citizens or subjects of a particular nation, often in contexts related to nationality or citizenship. Example: "The event is open to all nationals of the country, regardless of their current residence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The political rhetoric over immigration will further intensify on Monday as David Cameron promises to ban all EU nationals from claiming most benefits after six months in the UK unless they can prove they have been continuously looking for work over that period.

The Guardian

The repeated refusal of GPs, social housing officers and social security staff to act as immigration officers also means that if more robust residence tests are to be introduced for other EU nationals then an easy and authoritative way is needed of checking how long they have been in the country and what their immigration status is.

The Guardian

The president of the Islamic Council of Victoria, Ghaith Krayem, told an anti-racism forum in Melbourne that the federal government's plans to allow the immigration minister to revoke the citizenship of dual nationals found to join or support terrorist groups "would make criminals of people based on suspicion and suspicion alone".

The Guardian

Mexico has called on the US Justice Department to monitor investigations into three US police shootings of Mexican nationals within the past month, arguing that the incidents "cannot be seen in an isolated manner".

The Guardian

Thousands of Saudi nationals have been recruited to its ranks.

The Guardian - Opinion

A telling example occurred this week in the New South Wales town of Tamworth, in Tony Windsor's old seat of New England, now held by deputy Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, a future Nationals leader.

The Guardian

In Britain, fears were growing over the welfare of several nationals who have not been heard from since the quake struck.

The Guardian

The US government insists it has no firm proof that any American nationals took part in the Westgate attack, but the FBI is thought to be investigating the suspected involvement of al-Shabaab recruits from Somali communities in Minnesota and Maine.

The Guardian

Adam Short of Plan UK says it is "leading the way" among donor countries, and hopes that the government will "step up education efforts in communities to which UK nationals are likely to be taken".

The Guardian

The Liberal party received more than $125m and the Nationals $12m.

The Guardian

Other rights that are automatic for UK nationals, but that residents from other EU countries must pass a "right to reside" test to qualify for are also very easily bypassed by claiming to be self employed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to people from different countries, use "nationals" to maintain a neutral and formal tone, especially in official or legal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "nationals" and "citizens" interchangeably. While often similar, "nationals" can encompass a broader group including non-citizen passport holders, whereas "citizens" specifically refers to those with full legal rights within a country.

Linguistic Context

The term "nationals" functions primarily as a noun, referring to people who legally belong to a particular nation. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showcasing it in various contexts relating to citizenship, immigration, and international relations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "nationals" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun referring to people who legally belong to a particular nation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While often interchangeable with "citizens", it's crucial to recognize the subtle distinction where "nationals" encompasses a broader group. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "nationals" maintains a neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for objective discussions on citizenship, immigration, and international relations. Remember to avoid confusing it with "citizens" and consider context-appropriate alternatives like "residents" or "passport holders" for nuanced accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

citizens

Refers to individuals with legal rights and responsibilities within a country, emphasizing their civic status.

countrymen

Emphasizes a shared national identity or origin, often used in a patriotic or sentimental context.

compatriots

Similar to countrymen, but with a stronger sense of shared loyalty and common purpose.

subjects

Implies allegiance to a monarch or ruling power, often used in historical or constitutional contexts.

residents

Similar to inhabitants, but often suggests a more settled or permanent presence.

legal residents

Emphasizes the legality of an individual's residency status within a country.

inhabitants

Focuses on residency within a particular region or country, without necessarily implying citizenship.

members of the nation

Similar to "people of the nation", highlighting belonging and inclusion within a national community.

people of the nation

A more descriptive phrase emphasizing the collective identity of a country's population.

passport holders

Highlights the possession of a passport as evidence of nationality.

FAQs

How to use "nationals" in a sentence?

"Nationals" is used to refer to people who belong to a particular nation. For example: "The conference welcomed "foreign nationals" from around the world."

What's the difference between "nationals" and "citizens"?

"Nationals" is a broader term encompassing all people who legally belong to a country, while "citizens" specifically refers to people who have full legal rights and privileges in that country. Not all "nationals" are necessarily "citizens".

What can I say instead of "nationals"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""citizens"", "residents", "passport holders", or "countrymen".

Is it correct to use "nationals" when referring to people from different countries?

Yes, "nationals" can be used to refer to people from different countries, especially when comparing or contrasting their status. For example, "The study compared the healthcare access of "EU nationals" and non-EU nationals in the UK."