sentences:  The distinctions between English as a first language, as a second language, and as a foreign language are often debatable and may change in particular countries over time.For example, in the Netherlands and some other countries of Europe, knowledge of English as a second language is nearly universal, with over 80 percent of the population able to use it, and thus English is routinely used to communicate with foreigners and often in higher education.In these countries, although English is not used for government business, its widespread use puts them at the boundary between the "outer circle" and "expanding circle".