autonomy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "autonomy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing independence, self-governance, or the ability to make one's own choices. Example: "The organization values autonomy, allowing employees to make decisions that affect their work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it would follow that bringing in new entrants to the market and giving them autonomy over staff terms and conditions will banish this inertia and innovation will flow.

The Guardian

As for the alleged link back to Scottish health spending, while total block grants from Whitehall are indeed connected to overall English public service spending, Holyrood has sweeping autonomy over where the money goes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just before Christmas Greater Manchester also became the first city region to sign a £1bn devolution deal with the government, guaranteeing more autonomy in return for electing a mayor.

The Guardian

Salmond hit him with well-aimed jabs After two weeks of floundering in response, Better Together eventually ended the crisis by asserting that Scottish ministers had complete autonomy over NHS policy and spending in Scotland.

The Guardian

The notes show he was going to attack Sturgeon on austerity by saying: "Your own plan for fiscal autonomy means £6bn more cuts in Scotland – that's extending Tory austerity, not ending it.

The Guardian

Autonomy is vitiated by the wholesale invasion of secrecy and privacy.

The Guardian - Tech

In a report on increasing Scotland's autonomy short of independence, Campbell suggested England would get its own parliament and network of regional assemblies within a new federal structure for the UK.

The Guardian

After all, physiotherapy has made significant advances in the recent past: since 1977, it has enjoyed clinical autonomy and been able to take direct patient referrals; in 2002, the first consultant physiotherapist was appointed; and in 2013, physiotherapists won independent prescribing rights.

The Guardian

"The mood of the separatists in Russia is socio-economic in nature, not for the autonomy of a certain region, so this is all exaggerated.

The Guardian

Alex Salmond clearly regarded the 45% yes vote as more of a lost battle than a lost war; he spoke of Scotland's "100-year home rule journey", skirting over the fact that much of the journey had concerned devolution rather than independence, more autonomy within the UK rather than full independence outside it.

The Guardian

One of the critical parts of my job is to convince them that working at Cheezburger is an amazing opportunity and a fun place to exercise their creativity, ambition, and autonomy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In ethical or medical contexts, use "autonomy" to refer to a patient's right to make informed decisions about their own care.

Common error

Avoid using "autonomy" when simply referring to being independent in a general sense. "Autonomy" implies a level of self-governance and decision-making power, whereas simple "independence" may only refer to not being controlled.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "autonomy" is as a noun. It commonly functions as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to the state or condition of self-governance or independence. Ludwig AI confirms its typical usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "autonomy" is a versatile noun that signifies self-governance, independence, and the capacity for independent decision-making. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, formal, business, and scientific contexts. When employing the word, it's crucial to consider nuances and select the most appropriate synonym such as "self-governance" or "self-determination". Avoid confusing it with simple "independence", which doesn't always imply the same degree of self-directed control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-governance

Emphasizes the aspect of governing oneself without external control.

self-determination

Highlights the power to make decisions about one's own future or course of action.

independence

Focuses on the state of not being controlled or influenced by others.

self-rule

Similar to self-governance, but can imply a more political or organizational context.

freedom

A broader term that encompasses the absence of constraints and the ability to act freely.

liberty

Similar to freedom, often used in a political or philosophical context.

sovereignty

Typically refers to the supreme authority of a state to govern itself.

self-sufficiency

Highlights the ability to provide for one's own needs without external assistance.

self-reliance

Focuses on depending on one's own capabilities and resources.

home rule

Specifically refers to the governance of a region or territory by its own inhabitants.

FAQs

How is "autonomy" used in political discussions?

In politics, "autonomy" often refers to the degree of self-governance a region or group possesses within a larger entity. For instance, discussions about Scottish "fiscal autonomy" concern the extent to which Scotland controls its own budget and taxation.

What's the difference between "autonomy" and "independence"?

"Autonomy" implies self-governance within a system or framework, while "independence" suggests complete separation and self-reliance. A region can have autonomy without being fully independent.

In what context is "autonomy" used in healthcare?

In healthcare, patient "autonomy" refers to their right to make informed and voluntary decisions about their medical treatment. This includes the right to refuse treatment, even if it could be life-saving, as long as they have the capacity to understand the consequences of their choices. Breaching "bodily autonomy" can have several effects.

What are some synonyms for "autonomy"?

Alternatives to "autonomy" include "self-governance", "self-determination", and "independence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Self-governance" implies control over one's own affairs, while "independence" implies freedom from external control.