of foreign ancestry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of foreign ancestry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's heritage or background, particularly in discussions about ethnicity or family lineage. Example: "The research focused on individuals of foreign ancestry to understand the impact of cultural diversity on community development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Immigrants with ties to South Korea, too, cling to their nationality, in part because of lingering resentment of Japan's brutal 1910-1945 colonial rule of Korea, and because of continuing discrimination against people of foreign ancestry.

The New York Times

Moreover, on December 10, just three days after Pearl Harbor, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover reported that almost all the persons of foreign ancestry that the FBI had identified as possible threats to the national security had already been taken into custody.

Huffington Post

Dropouts were either a result of the index individual not participating in the mutation analysis or due to the fact that data on family history could not be traced in Swedish registers, most frequently because the family was of foreign ancestry.

Breast Cancer Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Aspirational Americans do not want to watch dreary British teenagers hanging around in rainy English towns.This form of localising content may not satisfy the purists, because the foreign ancestry of a series is usually disguised.

The Economist

Peranakan, in Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia, a native-born person of mixed local and foreign ancestry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Foreign ancestry (students identifying themselves as being of any ancestry other than Australian/New Zealand) was more common among medical students than among allied health or nursing students.

Human Resources for Health

Other athletes with foreign ancestry have done the same thing, sparing themselves the grueling process of qualifying for the Olympics in the United States.

The New York Times - Sports

This is most likely a demographic effect rather than a disciplinary effect, with about three quarters of the medical cohort reporting being from a capital city and about half reporting foreign ancestry (migrants tend to gravitate to Australian cities).

Human Resources for Health

Further, Duncan and Trejo's (2007) study of Mexican-Americans suggests that the more successfully-assimilated native born may be less likely to report a foreign ancestry.

IZA Journal of Migration

He began his bid a year before Barack Obama began his, and although their politics and characters, their stories and styles, could otherwise hardly be less alike, Sarkozy, too, defined himself as a transformational leader: a child of half-foreign ancestry, whose very candidacy was an affirmation of the Republic's ideals.

The New Yorker

Both were born in 1953, the youngest in families of boys; both had strong-willed mothers, who had married husbands with foreign ancestries of whom their families disapproved.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sensitive topics such as nationality or ethnicity, use "of foreign ancestry" to maintain a respectful and objective tone. For example, instead of saying "foreigners", you can say "people of foreign ancestry".

Common error

Avoid using "of foreign ancestry" as a blanket term without acknowledging the specific cultural or national heritage. Be precise and respectful by identifying the country or region of origin when possible. For instance, instead of just "of foreign ancestry", specify "of Italian ancestry" or "of Korean ancestry."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of foreign ancestry" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as a post-modifier to a noun or pronoun. It serves to describe or specify the origin or lineage of an individual or group. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of foreign ancestry" is a grammatically correct and usable prepositional phrase employed to objectively specify an individual's heritage or background. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's important to use it with precision and respect, acknowledging the specific cultural or national origin when possible. This phrase appears most frequently in news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, reflecting its utility in providing factual and demographic information. Alternative phrases like "of immigrant heritage" or "with international roots" can offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of immigrant heritage

Emphasizes the immigrant aspect of the ancestry.

with international roots

Highlights the international aspect of the family's origins.

with non-native lineage

Focuses on the non-native aspect of the ancestry.

descended from foreign-born individuals

More explicitly states the origin of the ancestors.

having a multicultural background

Broader term indicating a mix of cultural influences.

of mixed ethnic origin

Highlights the combination of different ethnic backgrounds.

with expatriate forebears

Refers to ancestors who lived outside their native country.

possessing an international pedigree

Emphasizes the documented lineage and its international connections.

with a cosmopolitan heritage

Indicates a heritage that is diverse and worldly.

having a background rooted abroad

Emphasizes that their roots are abroad.

FAQs

How can I use "of foreign ancestry" in a sentence?

You can use "of foreign ancestry" to describe someone's heritage. For example, "The study focused on individuals "of foreign ancestry" to understand cultural integration patterns."

What phrases are similar to "of foreign ancestry"?

Similar phrases include "of immigrant heritage", "with international roots", or "of mixed ethnic origin". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "of foreign ancestry" or "foreigner"?

"Of foreign ancestry" is generally more respectful and specific than "foreigner", which can be perceived as insensitive. Using "of foreign ancestry" acknowledges a person's heritage without generalizing or othering them.

What is the difference between "of foreign ancestry" and "immigrant"?

"Immigrant" refers specifically to someone who has moved to a new country, whereas "of foreign ancestry" refers to someone whose ancestors came from another country, regardless of their own place of birth. For instance, a person born in the US can be "of foreign ancestry", but is not an immigrant.