independent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "independent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is not influenced or controlled by others, or to indicate self-sufficiency. Example: "She is an independent thinker who values her own opinions and decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

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

The case has already been referred to the police ombudsman but, as the first minister has said, we should have a full, independent examination of the whole operation of this scheme.

The Guardian

Nasdaq's rules state broadly that independent directors cannot have a relationship that "would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director".

The New York Times

The rules do allow, however, for former employees collecting retirement benefits to serve as independent directors.

The New York Times

We saw that this independent was anything but independent".

The Guardian

We are currently in the process of interviewing potential board members, and our goal is to add an additional independent member this year in order to regain our 4-star rating by 2013.

The Guardian

All content is editorially independent except for pieces labelled 'brought to you by'.

The Guardian

(Expenses are paid by donations, and a few independent well-wishers also run "mirror sites" in support).

The Economist

SPT has majority stakes in UK independent producers including Silver River, Gogglebox Entertainment and Victory Television and makes shows including Who Wants to be a Millionaire, the Beyoncé and Will Young specials for ITV and Breakaway for BBC2.

The Guardian

The principle is simple in theory — Beijing is responsible for the city's defence and foreign affairs; Hong Kong enjoys limited self-governance and civil liberties, including an independent judiciary and unrestricted press.

The Guardian

While serious independent journalism remains nearly impossible in Iran, the bureau is able to provide original reporting through its extensive list of contacts both inside and outside the republic, and to bring the voices of ordinary people to an international audience.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "independent" to describe a person, ensure the context clarifies what they are independent from (e.g., "an independent thinker", "financially independent").

Common error

Avoid assuming "independent" means completely isolated. Independence often implies autonomy within a larger system, not necessarily absolute separation. For example, an "independent" contractor still has a contract with a client.

Linguistic Context

The word "independent" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of autonomy, freedom from external control, or self-sufficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "independent" functions as an adjective, describing a state of autonomy or freedom from external control. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically sound and prevalent across diverse contexts, especially in news and media. While "independent" is considered neutral in register, awareness of subtle connotations is essential for effective communication. When seeking alternatives, consider "self-governing", "autonomous", or "self-reliant" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-governing

Emphasizes the aspect of controlling oneself or one's own affairs without external interference.

autonomous

Highlights the ability to function independently and make decisions without outside control.

self-reliant

Stresses the capacity to depend on one's own capabilities and resources.

self-sufficient

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

non-aligned

Implies neutrality and not being affiliated with any particular group or party.

freelance

Describes a professional who works independently without being tied to a specific employer.

separate

Indicates a state of being distinct and not connected to something else.

unaffiliated

Emphasizes the lack of formal connection or association with a particular group or organization.

sovereign

Highlights supreme power or authority, especially of a state or ruler.

self-determined

Implies the power to make one's own decisions about what to do or how to act.

FAQs

How to use "independent" in a sentence?

The word "independent" is used to describe something or someone not controlled or supported by others. For example, "She runs an "independent business"" or "He is an "independent thinker"".

What can I say instead of "independent"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "self-sufficient", "autonomous", or "self-reliant" to replace "independent".

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

"Independent of" is generally considered the more formal and grammatically correct choice, although "independent from" is also widely used and accepted.

What's the difference between "independent" and "autonomous"?

"Independent" implies not being controlled by others, while "autonomous" suggests self-governance and the ability to make one's own decisions. While similar, "autonomous" emphasizes the capacity for self-direction.