independence

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "independence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person's or nation's freedom from outside control. For example, "The United States declared its independence in 1776."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All presidential and parliamentary elections held during the independence era have been deemed flawed by independent western monitoring groups.

The Guardian

But a New York Times article assessing the level of independence of the nine board members who are deemed to be independent points out that several of them have "deep and personal ties to Rupert Murdoch".

The Guardian

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

The New York Times

Nursultan Nazarbayev has led Kazakhstan as president, since independence in 1991, extending his tenure through a series of constitutional revisions and elections in which he has faced only token opposition.

The Guardian

After independence in 1991, President Saparmurat Niyazov built a cult of personality, adopting the title Turkmenbashi – the father of all Turkmen.

The Guardian

"Best practice from the independence referendum must be followed – and that includes extending the vote in an EU referendum to 16- and 17-year-olds across the UK.

The Guardian

And then there is Canada, where the Parti Québécois has a long and chequered history of fighting for independence for the francophone province.

The Guardian

It sets out to be comprehensive and to bring consistency while maintaining the independence of the judiciary.

The Guardian - Opinion

The bureau will be hosted on the Guardian site but will retain its independence under Niknejad, who founded it as a blog in November 2008.

The Guardian

"You have become partners in crime in the murder of judicial independence … Allah be my witness.

The Guardian

Support for Welsh independence, Plaid's signature policy, is on a mere 6%.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "independence" to emphasize self-governance and autonomy, but choose related terms like "freedom" or "liberty" when the context focuses on the absence of constraints.

Common error

Avoid using "independence" when describing situations of conditional freedom, such as temporary release from obligations. "Independence" implies a permanent state of self-governance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "independence" is as a noun, representing the state or quality of being independent. Ludwig, based on numerous examples, confirms this usage, showing it functioning as both a common and proper noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "independence" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the state of being free from external control or influence. As confirmed by Ludwig, this term is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media. It conveys the idea of self-governance, autonomy, and the right to self-determination. While alternatives like "autonomy" and "self-governance" exist, choosing the most appropriate term depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember, "independence" implies a lasting state of self-reliance, distinguishing it from conditional or temporary freedoms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-governance

Focuses on the act of governing oneself without external control.

autonomy

Emphasizes the capacity for self-direction and making one's own decisions.

self-determination

Highlights the right to freely choose one's political status and development.

sovereignty

Stresses supreme power or authority, especially of a state.

freedom

General term indicating the absence of constraints or coercion.

liberty

Similar to freedom but often implies a more formal or legal context.

self-reliance

Focuses on the ability to depend on oneself for resources and support.

non-alignment

Describes a policy of not aligning with major power blocs.

separatism

Refers to the advocacy of separation from a larger political unit.

emancipation

Signifies the process of being freed from slavery or oppression.

FAQs

How to use "independence" in a sentence?

You can use "independence" to describe a country gaining freedom, for example: "The country celebrated its 50th year of "independence"".

What can I say instead of "independence"?

You can use alternatives like "autonomy", "self-governance", or "sovereignty" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "independence from" or "independence of"?

"Independence of" is generally the correct form. For example, "judicial "independence" of the judiciary".

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

"Independence" refers specifically to self-governance and autonomy, while "freedom" is a broader term referring to the absence of constraints.