relatively independent

USAGE SUMMARY

'relatively independent' is a perfectly valid and grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It basically means that something is 'somewhat independent', or not fully or entirely independent. For example, one might say, "The economies of the Baltic nations are relatively independent of those of their neighbors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The relative risk reduction appears to be relatively independent of stage (Gill et al, 2004).

British Journal of Cancer

Already some big offices are relatively independent.

The Economist

Before then, markets were relatively independent.

The Economist

Giuliani wanted control over the relatively independent Board of Education.

The New York Times - Books

Constituency associations are relatively independent from the central party.

The Economist

In the new devolved and fragmented NHS, CCGs are meant to be relatively independent.

The Guardian

Because the foreign offices of a major accounting firm are relatively independent, groups of partners have sometimes switched firms.

The New York Times

So far, however, sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics tend to be regarded as relatively independent areas of research.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They also expressed doubts about academies, another form of state-funded but relatively independent school.

The Economist

NTV itself, under its new government-appointed manager, Boris Jordan, was still relatively independent.

The Economist

Until the late 19th century this region was made up of relatively independent realms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, clarify the specific aspects in which something is "relatively independent". For instance, instead of stating "the department is relatively independent", specify "the department is relatively independent in its budgeting decisions".

Common error

Avoid using "relatively independent" when referring to something that is completely autonomous. Overstating independence can mislead the reader and diminish the accuracy of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively independent" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun or noun phrase. Ludwig examples illustrate it modifies entities like "markets", "offices", and "systems", indicating a state of partial autonomy or limited dependence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relatively independent" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase that signifies a state of partial autonomy. As Ludwig confirms, it's commonly used across diverse fields, from science and news to encyclopedias, indicating its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clarifies the specific areas where independence is exhibited. Be mindful not to use it when describing entities that are entirely autonomous, as this could be misleading. Remember that although "relatively independent" is common in formal registers it can also be appropriate in neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat autonomous

Focuses on self-governance or decision-making capacity with a degree of freedom.

moderately self-sufficient

Emphasizes the ability to function without external assistance to a limited extent.

largely unconnected

Highlights the absence of significant links or associations.

fairly self-reliant

Indicates a good, but not complete, capacity to depend on oneself.

partially isolated

Stresses the separateness but not complete disconnection from other entities.

somewhat detached

Conveys a sense of being separate and not closely involved.

reasonably self-governed

Highlights the capacity for internal regulation and control, but with certain limitations.

mostly segregated

Emphasizes the separated nature of entities, but with some overlap or interaction.

substantially distinct

Focuses on clear differences and separateness, but not absolute dissimilarity.

considerably uncoupled

Highlights the disconnection or lack of correlation between two or more elements.

FAQs

How can I use "relatively independent" in a sentence?

You can use "relatively independent" to describe something that is mostly, but not entirely, autonomous. For example, "The company's subsidiaries are "relatively independent" in their day-to-day operations".

What's a good alternative to "relatively independent"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "relatively independent" include "somewhat autonomous", "moderately self-sufficient", or "largely unconnected".

Is it correct to say something is "very relatively independent"?

No, the phrase "very relatively independent" is redundant. The term "relatively" already implies a degree of independence that is not absolute, so adding "very" is unnecessary. Just use the term "relatively independent".

What is the difference between "relatively independent" and "completely independent"?

"Relatively independent" implies a partial or limited autonomy, suggesting some connections or dependencies may still exist. "Completely independent", on the other hand, means there are no connections or dependencies whatsoever; it's full autonomy.