establish independence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "establish independence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of gaining autonomy or self-sufficiency, often in contexts related to personal growth, political movements, or organizational development. Example: "The goal of the program is to help young adults establish independence by teaching them essential life skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"You can't establish independence".

The New York Times

TAKE A CONTRARY OPINION FOR ITS OWN SAKE Anyone who hopes to be taken seriously as a draft expert must vehemently defend one against-the-grain opinion for no other reason than to simply establish independence of thought.

The New York Times

John Adams may have erred in ascribing this extreme stand to his cousin at so early a time, but certainly Samuel Adams was one of the first American leaders to deny Parliament's authority over the colonies, and he was also one of the first certainly by 1774 to establish independence as the proper goal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Over the course of the next decade, the political instability in Spain and the absolutist restoration under Ferdinand VII convinced more and more Spanish Americans of the need to formally establish independence from the mother country.

Wikipedia

However, some emerging adults also report wanting to establish independence, which can detract from parents' ability to be supportive during the transition (23).

Diabetes Care

Studies from these countries report that women wait to have children because they want to establish independence through education, stay active in the labor market [ 1, 2], reach a certain level of maturity, and have a stable partner [ 3].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In response, Mr Burnham said the last Labour government had "established independence" by setting up the independent regulator and that "was not the move of a government that wanted to hide".

BBC

Later they overlapped and interlocked (memorably), though also pulling apart and establishing independence.

The New York Times - Arts

The Revolutionary War established independence, but the War of 1812 forged a nation.

The New York Times - Arts

Our children are using social media to accomplish the eternal goals of adolescent development, which include socializing with peers, investigating the world, trying on identities and establishing independence.

The New York Times - Health

War critics have complained about Mr. Brown's choice of a former civil servant as the inquiry's leader, instead of a well-known public figure with established independence from the government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "establish independence", consider the specific domain or context (e.g., personal, political, economic) to ensure the meaning is clear. For example, "establish financial independence" is more specific than simply "establish independence".

Common error

Avoid using "establish independence" as a general term without specifying the type of independence being established. For example, instead of saying "The program helps people establish independence", specify "The program helps people establish financial independence" or "establish emotional independence" to add clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "establish independence" is to act as a verb phrase, where "establish" functions as a transitive verb and "independence" as its direct object. This phrase signifies the act of creating or setting up a state of autonomy as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "establish independence" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that signifies the act of creating or achieving autonomy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and applicable in various contexts, ranging from personal development to political movements. While not exceedingly common, its presence in reputable sources like The New York Times, BBC, and academic journals indicates its reliability. When employing this phrase, it's advisable to specify the type of independence (e.g., financial, emotional) for enhanced clarity. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "achieve autonomy" or "gain self-sufficiency" to tailor the expression to your specific needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieve autonomy

This alternative focuses on the attainment of self-governance or freedom from external control.

gain self-sufficiency

This alternative emphasizes the ability to provide for oneself without external assistance.

secure autonomy

Similar to achieving autonomy, but with a stronger emphasis on ensuring long-term independence.

foster self-reliance

Focuses on nurturing and promoting the ability to depend on oneself.

build autonomy

Emphasizes the gradual construction and development of independence.

develop self-determination

This alternative focuses on the ability to make one's own decisions and control one's own fate.

attain freedom

Focuses on achieving a state of liberty and independence.

assert sovereignty

More relevant to political entities, this emphasizes the declaration and maintenance of supreme power or authority.

carve out independence

Implies a more forceful or deliberate effort to create or secure independence.

win liberation

Often associated with overcoming oppression or subjugation to achieve independence.

FAQs

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

You can use "establish independence" to describe the process of gaining autonomy in various contexts. For example, "The country fought to establish independence from colonial rule" or "She worked hard to establish financial independence after college".

What are some alternatives to "establish independence"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "achieve autonomy", "gain self-sufficiency", or "secure autonomy".

Is it better to say "establish independence" or "achieve independence"?

Both "establish independence" and "achieve independence" are correct, but "establish" implies a more foundational or formal creation of independence, while "achieve" emphasizes the accomplishment of gaining it. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "establish independence" and "maintain independence"?

"Establish independence" refers to the initial process of gaining autonomy, while "maintain independence" refers to the ongoing effort to preserve that autonomy once it has been achieved. For example, a newly formed country might "establish independence", and then work to "maintain independence" through strong governance and economic policies.