I've run into an issue I may or may not need help with (we'll see in a few days ). I need to set a bit of context though. Picture this: the human race evacuates planet Earth only to return thousands of years in the future. Upon their return, they discover that another sentient life has developed on the planet in their absence. Here's my question: are any of these statements incorrect? Humans are aliens on Earth. Humans are aliens from Earth. Humans are aliens of Earth. Humans are aliens to Earth. And, if not, does the following sound incorrect? They were now aliens on, from, of and to their own planet Thanks!
That's less a word-mechanical than a philosophical question. Humans are aliens on Earth. => Well, it's been some time since we were last here, isn't it? Humans are aliens from Earth. => It's been a long journey. Perhaps we've become aliens everywhere in the meantime. Humans are aliens of Earth. => We're made from mud and stardust, after all. Humans are aliens to Earth. => Mother Gaia always suspected that we were some kind of changelings. Grammatically, all of these are correct. Only you can tell if they're right or wrong in the context of your story.
A lot of the fighting in the middle east is because of something similar to this happening with the various diasporas there.
I think you have to go with your last one that humans were now aliens on their own planet. That one sounds the best to me. And it sounds like you're working on something interesting. Good luck with it.
