of foreign descent

USAGE SUMMARY

"of foreign descent" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is not originally from the place they currently reside. For example, "John's family is of foreign descent, originally hailing from Italy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Citizens of foreign descent in these states are often identified and remain as "foreigners," regardless of how long they have been living in their adopted countries, even if they are second- or third-generation citizens.

Huffington Post

Half the population of Rotterdam is already of foreign descent.

The New York Times

It favors an immediate end to immigration and the repatriation of people of foreign descent.

The New York Times

"Before, you know, we see mzungu in films," he said, using the African term for a person of foreign descent.

The New York Times - Sports

A lively debate continued in The Netherlands about the value, meaning, and appropriate methods of integration of foreign residents and citizens of foreign descent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But it would also "encourage" voluntary repatriation of legal migrants and "those of foreign descent to return to their lands of ethnic origin".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

After a century of high immigration and the growing number of second and third generation citizens of foreign-descent, both approaches have shown their strengths and weaknesses, their successes and failures.

Huffington Post

The German government has been seeking ways to integrate the country's 7.5 million people of foreign origin, of which a third are of Turkish descent.

The New York Times

The sizable proportion of adolescents from foreign descent in Geneva was mainly due to the high prevalence of teenagers of 'other European country' background (90%).

BMC Psychiatry

Finland represents a well-characterized genetic isolate (17), with approximately 2% of individuals with foreign descent.

Biological Psychiatry

Regarding ethnic background, 20% of the country's residents, or more than 16 million people, were of foreign or partially foreign descent in 2009 (including persons descending or partially descending from ethnic German repatriates), 96% of whom lived in the former West Germany or Berlin.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "of foreign descent", be mindful of the context and potential sensitivities. It's often more respectful to be specific about the country or region of origin if known and relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "of foreign descent" as a blanket term. It's important to recognize the diversity within communities and not reduce individuals to a single, broad label. Being specific about national or cultural origins when relevant is usually more informative and respectful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of foreign descent" functions as a post-modifying prepositional phrase, providing additional information about a noun. It indicates the origin or ancestry of individuals, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "of foreign descent" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe individuals with origins in a country other than their current residence. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While generally neutral, it's crucial to use the phrase with sensitivity and specificity, avoiding overgeneralizations. Alternative phrases such as "of foreign origin" or "of foreign ancestry" may be suitable depending on the context. As always, be mindful of the implications and strive for clear and respectful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of foreign origin

Focuses on the place of origin being different.

of foreign ancestry

Emphasizes lineage and family heritage.

having foreign roots

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate non-native origins.

with a foreign background

Highlights the cultural and personal history from another country.

from a foreign land

Emphasizes the geographical origin.

with immigrant heritage

Specifically refers to the immigrant experience in the family history.

non-native heritage

Highlights not belonging to the original population

international background

Broader, includes more general origins from different parts of the world.

expatriate heritage

Focuses on those who have lived outside their native country.

with a diasporic past

Indicates origins in a dispersed population, often due to historical displacement.

FAQs

What does "of foreign descent" mean?

The phrase "of foreign descent" describes individuals whose ancestors or they themselves originate from a country other than where they currently reside or hold citizenship.

Is it offensive to use the phrase "of foreign descent"?

While not inherently offensive, the phrase can be insensitive if used to broadly categorize individuals without acknowledging their specific cultural background or heritage. Context matters, and specificity is often more respectful.

What are some alternative ways to say "of foreign descent"?

You can use alternatives like "of foreign origin", "of foreign ancestry", or "having foreign roots" depending on the context.

How does "of foreign descent" differ from "immigrant"?

"Immigrant" refers to someone who has moved to a new country to live there permanently. "Of foreign descent" is broader and can include people who were born in the country but have ancestors from another country.