an entity in and of itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an entity in and of itself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something exists independently or has its own distinct identity. Example: "The concept of freedom is an entity in and of itself, separate from the laws that govern society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This kind of hands-off approach requires that the parent companies structure and perceive the alliance as an entity in and of itself and not as part of either ongoing business.

Harvard Business Review

Patience is not an entity in and of itself, but is a process, the act of learning to embrace a state of mind.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The habitual use of "I" requires thinking of yourself as a separate entity in a society of separate entities.

The Guardian

An entity's percentage of indirect interest in a second entity is equal to the entity's percentage of direct interest in an intermediate entity multiplied by the intermediate entity's direct or indirect interest in the second entity.

Cornell University

Next, three tables '//entity/type' (for filtering whether the entity is a polymer or not), '//entity/pdbx_number_of_molecules' (for counting the number of the entity in the entry), and '//entity/formula_weight' (for the molecular weight of the single entity) are joined with the same condition as in the previous query, that is, all being under the same 'entity' element.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Each concrete entity is a view of some abstract entity in a given database, which provides instances of it.

Bioinformatics

"It is an entity of its own".

The New Yorker

"UNAMA is an entity of whom?

The New York Times

The "BIO" format [ 32] is a commonly used representation for entity tags, in which each word is assigned into a label as following: B = beginning of an entity, I = inside an entity, and O = outside of an entity.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

In the case of an entity applicant, the cosigner cannot be a member of the entity.

Cornell University

Any reference in this subsection to an entity shall include a reference to any predecessor of such entity.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an entity in and of itself" when you want to emphasize the self-contained and independent nature of a subject, particularly in philosophical or abstract discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "an entity in and of itself" in everyday language where simpler terms like "independent" or "separate" would suffice. It can sound overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an entity in and of itself" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun. It emphasizes that the entity is self-contained and independent. Ludwig shows examples where it clarifies that something is perceived as distinct from other ongoing businesses or external influences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an entity in and of itself" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that emphasizes the self-contained and independent nature of something. Ludwig AI indicates that it is suitable for highlighting the distinct identity of a subject. While relatively rare, it's most commonly found in academic, news, and scientific contexts. To avoid misuse, consider simpler alternatives like "independent" or "separate" in everyday situations. Remember, you can replace this phrase with alternative phrases like "an independent entity" or "a self-contained entity" to get the point across!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a self-contained entity

Emphasizes the completeness and independence of the entity.

an independent entity

Highlights the entity's autonomy and lack of reliance on others.

a discrete entity

Focuses on the separateness and individuality of the entity.

an autonomous entity

Stresses the entity's self-governance and freedom.

a standalone entity

Suggests the entity can function without external support.

a separate entity

Underscores the entity's distinctness from other entities.

a self-sufficient entity

Focuses on the entity's ability to provide for its own needs.

an individual entity

Highlights the uniqueness and singularity of the entity.

a distinct entity

Emphasizes the clearly defined nature of the entity.

a unique entity

Stresses the entity's unparalleled nature.

FAQs

How can I use "an entity in and of itself" in a sentence?

You can use "an entity in and of itself" to emphasize the independent existence of something. For example, "The organization, though funded by the government, operates as "an entity in and of itself"."

What does "an entity in and of itself" mean?

It means that something exists independently and has its own distinct identity, separate from other things.

What can I say instead of "an entity in and of itself"?

You can use alternatives like "an independent entity", "a self-contained entity", or "a standalone entity" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "an entity in and of itself"?

While "in and of itself" can sometimes be redundant, it emphasizes a particular aspect of independence or inherent quality, making it appropriate in contexts where that emphasis is desired.