self employed

USAGE SUMMARY

"self employed" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
For example: "He is a self employed plumber who works in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Self employed advertising executive.

The New York Times

He was a self employed Financier.

The New York Times

Not being self employed.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Are you over 45? Self-employed?

The Guardian - Money

(Self-employed, 34).

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Self-Employed Women's Association.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Are Postdocs Receiving Fellowships Self-Employed?

Science Magazine

Read Self-Employed?

HuffPost

Self-employed have been excluded.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

"I am self-employed.

Independent

Independence: You're self-employed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about employment status, use “self-employed” to clearly indicate that the person works for themselves and is not an employee of a company.

Common error

Avoid implying that being "self-employed" is the same as being unemployed. "Self-employment" is a chosen career path, while unemployment refers to job loss.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "self employed" functions primarily as an adjective describing someone's employment status. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it denotes that an individual works for themselves rather than being employed by another entity. For instance, "He is a self employed plumber".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "self employed" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone who works for themselves. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and understood. Synonyms include "freelancer", "independent contractor", and "business owner", each carrying slightly different connotations. Common contexts for its usage are news and media, science and business. Remember to hyphenate it when used as an adjective before a noun and to avoid implying it is synonymous with unemployment. It's a versatile term, found across diverse sources, solidifying its place in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Freelance worker

Focuses on the independent nature of the work, emphasizing project-based employment rather than traditional employment.

Freelancer

Synonymous with freelance worker. Highlights the freedom to choose projects and set your own rates.

Independent contractor

Highlights the contractual aspect of the work arrangement, suggesting a formal agreement for services.

Sole proprietor

Emphasizes the legal structure of the business, indicating ownership and direct responsibility.

Self-proprietor

Alternative to sole proprietor. Emphasizes personal ownership and management of the business.

Own account worker

A more formal, statistical term. Useful in economic or labor market contexts.

Business owner

Broadens the scope to include anyone who owns a business, regardless of its size or structure.

Entrepreneur

Highlights the innovative and risk-taking aspects of starting and running a business.

Gig worker

Refers to someone who works on short-term tasks or projects, often through online platforms.

One's own boss

Informal term. Highlights the autonomy and control over one's work.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "self employed" in a sentence?

You can use "self employed" to describe someone who works for themselves, such as "She is a "self employed consultant"" or "Many "self employed individuals" enjoy the flexibility of setting their own hours".

What are some common synonyms for "self employed"?

Common synonyms include "freelancer", "independent contractor", and "business owner". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to hyphenate "self employed"?

Yes, "self-employed" is typically hyphenated when used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., "a self-employed plumber"). When used as a predicate adjective, the hyphen is optional (e.g., "He is self-employed").

What are the advantages of being "self employed"?

Being "self employed" offers benefits like setting your own hours, choosing your projects, and having the potential for higher earnings. However, it also comes with responsibilities such as managing your own taxes and benefits.