of foreign origin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of foreign origin" is a correct and usable phrase in written English and can be used to describe something or someone that originated outside of a particular country.
For example, "The sculpture was of foreign origin, originally hailing from Greece."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(c Trade name of foreign origin.

Cornell University

For example they may not buy titles of foreign origin.

The New Yorker

"Our 30,000 inhabitants are mostly of foreign origin with 45% from Asia," he said.

The Guardian

Some were prose versions of medieval German verse romances; others contained tales of foreign origin.

Britannica

He has found many words of foreign origin in the text, including the word "Koran" itself.

The Guardian

As many as 1.8 million of this population is of foreign origin.

The Guardian

More than half the residents are of foreign origin, chiefly Algerian, Moroccan and sub-Saharan African.

The Economist

Germany, however, manages to make it especially complicated for citizens of foreign origin.

The Economist

All aspects of communication periodical news, the comics, soap operas, film are primarily of foreign origin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet in Denmark just 1 person in 15 is of foreign origin and most of these are thoroughly assimilated.

The New York Times

Three different definitions of 'migrants' are commonly used in Belgium: non-nationals, immigrants and persons of foreign origin.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing people, use "of foreign origin" to neutrally indicate their birthplace or ancestry without implying judgment.

Common error

Avoid consistently using "of foreign origin" to define individuals, as it can sound impersonal or overly clinical. Instead, consider mentioning their nationality or country of origin directly when relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of foreign origin" functions primarily as a post-nominal modifier, adding descriptive information about the origin or source of a noun. Ludwig examples confirm its role in specifying that something or someone originates from outside a particular country or region.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of foreign origin" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that serves to indicate that something or someone comes from outside a particular country. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its prevalent usage across varied contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. While the phrase is generally neutral to formal, it's advisable to be mindful of potential overuse, especially when describing individuals, and to specify the country of origin for clarity when possible. Alternatives like "from another country" and "sourced internationally" can be used depending on the specific context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from another country

Focuses on the country of origin rather than the origin itself.

from abroad

A simpler and more direct way to express foreign origin.

non-native source

Implies the source is not native to the location being discussed.

of international extraction

Emphasizes the extraction or source from an international context, adding a formal tone.

with overseas roots

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate foreign origin, often applied to people or cultures.

having external provenance

Emphasizes the external source or origin.

sourced internationally

Highlights the sourcing process being international, often used in business contexts.

of alien extraction

Similar to extraction but uses "alien" to emphasize unfamiliarity.

exotic derivation

Adds a sense of novelty or unfamiliarity to the origin.

imported from overseas

Highlights the action of importing, adding a sense of movement or trade.

FAQs

How do I use "of foreign origin" in a sentence?

You can use "of foreign origin" to describe something or someone that originated outside of a particular country. For example, "The antique vase was of foreign origin." or "Many residents in the area are of foreign origin".

What's the difference between "of foreign origin" and "from abroad"?

"Of foreign origin" is a more formal and neutral way to indicate that something or someone comes from another country. "From abroad" is a simpler, more direct alternative; consider the tone you want to convey and the level of formality required by the context.

What can I say instead of "of foreign origin"?

You can use alternatives like "from another country", "sourced internationally", or "non-native source" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "of foreign origin" or specify the country of origin?

Specifying the country of origin is often more informative and respectful when describing people or things. Using "of foreign origin" is acceptable when the specific country is unknown or not relevant but it is usually better to provide more specific details where possible.