their compatriots

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "their compatriots" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals from the same country or nation as the subject being discussed. Example: "The citizens gathered to support their compatriots who were competing in the international games."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Their compatriots will not.

The Economist

Their compatriots Mariya Petrova and Aleksei Tikhonov were third.

The New York Times - Sports

Their compatriots, they say, were bought out or evicted.

The New York Times

"And it was one of their compatriots they elected".

The New York Times

Did Rove, Collins and their compatriots want a pandemic?

The Guardian - Opinion

Some Azeri nationalists dream of unifying all their compatriots in one country.

The Economist

Meanwhile, their compatriots at home in Hungary continue to see New York as foreign.

The Economist

Occupants of the second forged on with no knowledge of what their compatriots had just encountered.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet there is no evidence that preppers in general are more dangerous than their compatriots.

The Economist

Northern Nigerians are poorer and worse educated than their compatriots in the south.

The Economist

Liberals have fought tooth and nail to persuade their compatriots otherwise.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "their compatriots", ensure that the context clearly establishes the nationality or shared identity to which you are referring. For example, if discussing Italian athletes, you can say, "The Italian athletes celebrated, knowing their victory would bring joy to their compatriots."

Common error

Avoid assuming a shared nationality. Always verify the correct national identity to prevent misrepresenting individuals as "their compatriots" when they may not share the same national background. For example, do not call a Swiss person the compatriot of an Austrian.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their compatriots" functions as a possessive determiner ("their") followed by a noun ("compatriots"). It identifies individuals as belonging to the same nation or country as the people being discussed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "their compatriots" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that refers to individuals sharing the same nationality. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, though can appear in encyclopedic or formal writing as well. Ludwig AI confirms that it is considered correct for standard English usage. When using "their compatriots", ensure that the national identity is clear and accurate. Alternatives such as "their fellow citizens" and "their countrymen" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoid assumptions of shared nationality and always verify the correct background. The abundance of examples provided by Ludwig confirms its prevalence and acceptability in diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their fellow citizens

Replaces "compatriots" with a more formal term, emphasizing shared citizenship.

their countrymen

Uses a more traditional term for people from the same country.

their fellow nationals

Emphasizes shared nationality rather than shared country.

their people

A simpler, more general term for people belonging to the same nation or group.

their fellow citizens at home

Clarifies that the comparison is with citizens residing in their home country.

their compatriots in the motherland

Adds an emotional connection by referring to the 'motherland'.

their brothers and sisters

A more figurative and emotional expression indicating a strong bond.

people of their nation

A more descriptive phrase that breaks down the concept into its components.

their ethnic kin

Highlights the ethnic connection between the people.

members of their community

Shifts the focus to a broader sense of community instead of national identity.

FAQs

How can I use "their compatriots" in a sentence?

You can use "their compatriots" to refer to people who share the same nationality as someone else. For example: "The athletes were proud to represent their country and make their compatriots proud."

What is a good alternative to "their compatriots"?

Alternatives include "their fellow citizens", "their countrymen", or "their fellow nationals", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "their compatriots" and "their colleagues"?

"Their compatriots" refers specifically to people who share the same nationality, while "their colleagues" refers to people who work together, regardless of nationality.

Is it correct to use "their compatriots" in formal writing?

Yes, "their compatriots" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a neutral and respectful way to refer to people of the same nationality.