become self-sufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

"become self-sufficient" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to become able to provide for oneself or to meet one's own needs without outside assistance. You can use it in various contexts, such as describing personal growth or development, discussing a country or community's ability to sustain itself, or talking about achieving independence or autonomy. Example: After years of hard work and determination, I finally became self-sufficient and no longer rely on my parents for financial support. Example: The new government policies aimed to help the country become self-sufficient in terms of energy production. Example: The goal of our charity organization is to empower disadvantaged communities and help them become self-sufficient.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It helps you to become self-sufficient.

The New York Times

You've become self-sufficient, maybe you always were.

The New Yorker

"Those two hits forced us to become self-sufficient.

The New York Times - Arts

It's helped all of the children become self-sufficient.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Amtrak no longer claims it can ever become self-sufficient.

The New York Times

The country had also become self-sufficient in fuel.

Britannica

And how can parents help their children become self-sufficient?

Independent

"They come in for food and we help them become self-sufficient," says Robinson.

The Guardian - Business

They receive mentoring for two years, after which they are expected to become self-sufficient.

The Guardian

"But when you're making a feature, you become self-sufficient," Mr. Richardson said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It'll grow so that the public sector can become self sufficient in coaching provision".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "become self-sufficient", ensure the context clearly defines the area of self-sufficiency (e.g., financially, emotionally, or in terms of resources).

Common error

Avoid implying that becoming self-sufficient means complete isolation or unwillingness to accept help when needed. Self-sufficiency is about capability, not necessarily absolute independence from all support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become self-sufficient" functions as a verb phrase typically used to describe the process of achieving independence or autonomy. It signifies a transition from reliance on others to being able to provide for oneself or meet one's own needs. Ludwig shows examples from various contexts illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become self-sufficient" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that describes the process of achieving independence or autonomy. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's frequently used in News & Media, Academic and Encyclopedia contexts. When using this phrase, it's essential to clarify the specific area of self-sufficiency you're referencing, whether it's financial, emotional, or resource-based. Remember that self-sufficiency is about capability and not necessarily about complete isolation. Alternatives include "achieve independence" and "attain self-reliance". Overall, "become self-sufficient" is a versatile and reliable way to express the idea of gaining independence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become independent

A more general term indicating the state of not being dependent on others.

achieve independence

Focuses on the attainment of freedom from external control or reliance.

attain self-reliance

Highlights the development of confidence in one's own abilities and resources.

reach autonomy

Emphasizes the achievement of self-governance and the capacity to make independent decisions.

establish self-support

A more formal way of saying to become capable of supporting oneself.

get on your own feet

An idiomatic expression referring to becoming able to support oneself financially and emotionally.

stand on your own two feet

Similar to "get on your own feet", emphasizing self-reliance and independence.

secure financial independence

Highlights the achievement of being financially independent and secure.

be able to make ends meet

Focuses specifically on financial self-sufficiency, being able to cover one's expenses.

develop sustainability

Implies the ability to maintain oneself or a system over time without external support.

FAQs

How can I use "become self-sufficient" in a sentence?

You can use "become self-sufficient" to describe a process of gaining independence or the ability to provide for one's own needs. For example, "The program aims to help refugees "become self-sufficient"."

What can I say instead of "become self-sufficient"?

You can use alternatives like "achieve independence", "attain self-reliance", or "become independent" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "become self-sufficient" or "be self-sufficient"?

"Become self-sufficient" describes a process of achieving independence, while "be self-sufficient" describes a state of being independent. The best choice depends on whether you are describing a change or a state.

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

"Become self-sufficient" focuses on independence and providing for one's own needs, while "become sustainable" refers to maintaining something over time, often in an environmentally friendly way. While related, they emphasize different aspects of long-term viability.