autonomously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "autonomously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or processes that occur independently or without external control. Example: "The robot was designed to operate autonomously, making decisions based on its programming and environmental inputs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This focus owes much to the 18th century German philosopher, Immanuel Kant, who argued that all and only persons (i.e., rational autonomous agents) and the moral law they autonomously legislate are appropriate objects of the morally most significant attitude of respect.

SEP

There is some evidence that children who are able to read autonomously and choose their reading material, attain levels that are expected of them or even higher.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Mario will collect coins if he is hungry, whereas when he is curious, he will explore his environment and autonomously gather knowledge about items he does not know much about yet," explains the narrator.

The Guardian - Tech

He added: "In many ways this search and rescue mission is like an amphibious operation – I've deployed landing craft and aircraft in multiple waves, in poor visibility, operating autonomously over the horizon – the objective this time, of course, being to save life.

The Guardian

Being told to exercise might have a very different psychological effect to doing it autonomously.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The plan is to build a network of autonomously controlled, multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to carry small packages of a standardised size.

The Economist

This can keep prices rising well beyond rents and incomes for a long period of time.One might think that forward-looking lenders should anticipate all of this and act autonomously to tighten lending standards as prices rise.

The Economist

Unlike many large fixed-wing drones, which are flown under remote control by ground-based pilots, a modified K-MAX flies autonomously along a programmed course using GPS to navigate via specified way points.

The Economist

Such airships will, however, be much cheaper to launch and maintain than satellites and can do things that satellites cannot.Each 75-metre-long airship will be controlled autonomously, and will contain nearly 37,000 cubic metres of helium to keep it and its 1.4-tonne payload aloft, says Michael Molen, Sanswire's chief executive.

The Economist

Knowing how touchy citizens are about surrendering any of their jealously guarded personal freedoms and privacy rights, American officials have steered clear of even hinting that the technology could be used to apply a vehicle's brakes autonomously in an emergency.

The Economist

In another generation we'll have a new military, with an international outlook and new ideas about conflict prevention, civilian governance and the rule of law .Brazil's armed forces are balkanised, with each service acting autonomously.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "autonomously" to describe systems, machines, or processes that operate without human intervention, enhancing clarity about their independent function.

Common error

Avoid using "autonomously" when describing human actions that inherently involve decision-making or moral responsibility, as it can diminish the sense of personal agency.

Linguistic Context

The word "autonomously" functions primarily as an adverb, modifying verbs to describe how an action is performed. As shown in Ludwig, it indicates that the action occurs independently, without external control or assistance. For instance, a robot might "navigate autonomously".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "autonomously" is an adverb indicating that an action is performed independently, without external control. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it's frequently used in contexts such as News & Media and Science to describe systems, machines, or entities operating on their own. The word carries a neutral to formal tone and, according to Ludwig AI, is grammatically correct and widely accepted. When using "autonomously", ensure it accurately reflects the self-governing nature of the subject and avoid overuse in contexts requiring human agency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

independently

This term emphasizes a lack of reliance on others for guidance or support.

of one's own accord

Highlights that the action arises from one's own will or initiative.

on its own

Focuses on the absence of external assistance or manipulation.

by itself

Similar to "on its own", stressing the solitary nature of the action.

unaided

Emphasizes the lack of help or assistance in performing the action.

without supervision

Highlights that the action is carried out without oversight or monitoring.

under its own power

Emphasizes a self-sufficient ability to function.

self-sufficiently

Highlights the capacity to provide for oneself without external assistance.

voluntarily

Focuses on the willingness and freedom to act without coercion.

by one's own hand

Implies that an action is carried out through one's own direct effort.

FAQs

How can I use "autonomously" in a sentence?

Use "autonomously" to describe actions performed independently, without external control. For example, "The drone navigates "autonomously" using GPS".

What words can I use instead of "autonomously"?

Alternatives include "independently", "of one's own accord", or "on its own", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something operates "autonomously"?

Yes, it's correct to say something operates "autonomously" when it functions independently, without external control or human intervention.

What is the difference between "autonomously" and "automatically"?

"Autonomously" implies independence and self-governance in operation, while "automatically" suggests a pre-programmed or fixed response. Something operating "autonomously" can make decisions based on its environment, whereas something operating "automatically" follows a set pattern.