asserting independence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asserting independence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of declaring or establishing one's autonomy or self-governance, often in a political, personal, or social context. Example: "The country is asserting independence from colonial rule, seeking to establish its own government and policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He adds: "Whereas the first musical age is about asserting independence, the next appears to be more about gaining acceptance from others".

The Guardian

And a serious problem is emerging: some are rebelling or asserting independence by skipping or stopping medication, which can make H.I.V. spiral out of control and become impervious to previously effective therapies.

The New York Times

Witness how China's heavy-handed threats, aimed at intimidating Taiwan's voters, backfired to the point that the Taiwanese elected the candidate who until recently had talked of asserting independence.

The New York Times

To stand apart, wittily putting down women, might have been a (sometimes misogynistic) way of asserting independence and superiority; the same things are also a sign of exclusion and anxiety - characteristics that are often missed by critics who highlight the poems' wittiness.

The Guardian - Books

Over the past half millennium, these claims have taken extraordinarily diverse forms — nations asserting independence from mother states, communists seeking freedom from colonialists, the vox populi contending with ancien regimes, theocracies who reject the authority of secular states, and sundry others.

SEP

How can a so-called Founding Father author a document asserting independence for "all" yet allow institutionalized slavery to persist in society and on his property where he lives?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Candidates must assert independence and reflect local concerns to build a relationship with voters.

The Guardian - Opinion

The relationship between composer and public became a vicious circle; the more the composer asserted independence, the more the public clung to the past.

The New Yorker

The protégés begin to assert independence, and the mentors begin to consider that they have no additional knowledge to share with the protégés or guidance to provide.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, a committee consisting of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston was promptly chosen on June 11 to prepare a statement justifying the decision to assert independence, should it be taken.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Traditional theory holds that the self-starvation of anorexia represents an adolescent's desperate attempt to assert independence in the face of overbearing or intrusive parents.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a group or nation, use "asserting independence" to highlight a deliberate and potentially contested action of self-determination.

Common error

Avoid using "asserting independence" when referring to simple acts of personal preference; reserve it for situations where genuine autonomy or self-governance is being claimed or defended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asserting independence" functions primarily as a verbal phrase, often acting as a gerund, describing the act of declaring or establishing autonomy. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "asserting independence" describes the act of actively declaring or establishing autonomy. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical structure is correct. It commonly appears in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts, highlighting its relevance in discussions of self-governance, freedom, and sovereignty. When employing this phrase, it's essential to reserve it for genuine claims of autonomy and not dilute its meaning with trivial preferences. Alternatives like "demonstrating independence" or "claiming autonomy" can provide nuanced alternatives, depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrating independence

Focuses on the act of showing independence through actions or behavior, rather than just declaring it.

claiming autonomy

Emphasizes the act of declaring oneself self-governing or independent.

declaring self-reliance

Highlights the aspect of relying on oneself, rather than others, for support and resources.

establishing sovereignty

Refers specifically to the act of a state or nation establishing its supreme authority and independence.

exercising freedom

Focuses on the practical application of freedom and independence in one's actions.

pursuing self-determination

Highlights the active pursuit of the right to determine one's own political status or course of action.

securing liberation

Emphasizes the act of freeing oneself from oppression or external control.

affirming individuality

Stresses the expression of unique character and independence.

promoting self-government

Focuses on efforts to foster independent governance, often in a political context.

cultivating autonomy

Highlights the development and nurturing of independence over time.

FAQs

How can I use "asserting independence" in a sentence?

You can use "asserting independence" to describe an entity that is actively declaring or establishing its autonomy. For example: "The breakaway region is "asserting independence" from the mainland."

What are some alternatives to "asserting independence"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "claiming autonomy", "demonstrating independence", or "establishing sovereignty".

What is the difference between "asserting independence" and "achieving independence"?

"Asserting independence" describes the act of declaring or claiming independence, while "achieving independence" refers to the successful attainment of that state.

In what contexts is "asserting independence" most appropriate?

The phrase "asserting independence" is most suitable in contexts relating to political movements, personal development, or situations where an entity is actively striving for self-governance and autonomy.