autonomous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "autonomous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an entity that has the power or right to govern itself independently. For example, "The autonomous nation of San Marcos has been able to maintain its sovereignty since its establishment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We need to remind ourselves that QAA (unlike Ofsted) does not directly assess quality: it assesses how autonomous universities assess the quality of what they themselves do.

The Guardian

(1) Borrell has previously lived in the autonomous region of northern Spain.

The Guardian - Music

The country is split into two autonomous entities, each with their own constitution, and a third region, the Brcko District, is governed by local administration.

The Guardian

Once computers are in full control of our cars, do we even need traffic lights at intersections? That's the idea behind AIM – autonomous intersection management – at the artificial intelligence laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin.

The Guardian - Tech

This presents us with the intriguing prospect that more of the circumstances of everyday urban life might be managed this way, on a participatory basis, by autonomous neighbourhood groups networked with one another in something amounting to a city-wide federation.

The Guardian

The beguiling narrative that the SNP offered focused on the great things an independent – or fiscally autonomous – Scotland might be able to achieve.

The Guardian

The rational, autonomous, self-aware agent acting in his own self-interest according to static preferences has faded as we realise that behaviour is largely irrational, unconscious and driven by external contexts.

The Guardian

Pato subsequently banned all Australian travel into the autonomous region of Bougainville, which will hold a referendum on independence before 2020.

The Guardian

The confused and overlapping patchwork of autonomous NHS structures that Mr Lansley left behind could easily render Mr Cameron's hopes of seven-day care a daydream.

The Guardian - Opinion

All lectures at LSE will now be open to the public; there will be a review of their so-called flexible-hours contracts; and there will be provision of a permanent, autonomous space for "dissent" and political discussion.

The Guardian

They are also right to point out that competition is opposed to monopoly and not cooperation, which is necessary for a successful economy: an isolated individual can never become an autonomous person.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing systems or technologies, use "autonomous" to convey that they operate without human intervention, such as "autonomous vehicles" or "autonomous robots".

Common error

Avoid using "autonomous" when you mean "automatic". "Automatic" implies a pre-programmed response, while "autonomous" suggests the ability to adapt and make decisions independently.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "autonomous" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing their capacity for self-governance, independence, or self-regulation. As seen in Ludwig, the AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "autonomous" functions as an adjective, signifying independence, self-governance, or the ability to operate without external control. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts. While "autonomous" is often used in news, formal business and science, it's important to differentiate it from "automatic", which implies pre-programmed operation rather than adaptive decision-making. Synonyms like "independent" and "self-governing" offer alternative phrasing, while understanding the subtle nuances between "autonomous" and "self-sufficient" can enhance precision. Mastering the use of "autonomous" allows for clear communication about systems, entities, and regions that operate with a degree of independence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-governing

Emphasizes the aspect of governing oneself without external control.

independent

Highlights the lack of reliance on others for support or control.

self-reliant

Focuses on the ability to depend on one's own capabilities and resources.

self-sufficient

Stresses the capacity to provide for one's own needs without external assistance.

self-directed

Emphasizes the ability to control one's own actions and course of action.

sovereign

Highlights supreme power or authority, often in a political context.

self-ruling

Similar to self-governing, but can also apply to individuals and not just political entities.

uncontrolled

Highlights lack of control by an outside force. Has a more negative association than "autonomous" in some instances.

self-determined

Focuses on the power to make one's own decisions about the path forward.

stand-alone

Suggests that a person, item, or product can function separately without any support.

FAQs

How to use "autonomous" in a sentence?

You can use "autonomous" to describe entities that are self-governing or operate independently. For example, "The university is an "autonomous institution"" or "The project aims to develop "autonomous vehicles"".

What can I say instead of "autonomous"?

You can use alternatives like "independent", "self-governing", or "self-reliant" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "autonomous" or "automatic"?

"Autonomous" describes something that can govern itself and make its own decisions. "Automatic" describes something that operates by itself, often following a pre-programmed sequence. Choose the word that best fits the context. For example, an "autonomous car" can navigate and make driving decisions, while an "automatic door" simply opens and closes.

What's the difference between "autonomous" and "self-sufficient"?

"Autonomous" emphasizes independence and self-governance. "Self-sufficient" emphasizes the ability to provide for one's own needs. An entity can be "autonomous" without being fully "self-sufficient", and vice-versa.