self-isolation

USAGE SUMMARY

"self-isolation" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe the act of isolating oneself, often for health reasons or to prevent the spread of illness. Example: "During the pandemic, many people practiced self-isolation to protect themselves and others." Alternative expressions include "quarantine" and "self-quarantine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Russians are on a course of self-isolation.

The New York Times

"What do you mean?" "I'm in self-isolation.

The New Yorker

His skilful reconstruction and realistic prostheses ended much of the self-isolation of earlier victims.

The Guardian

"Unfortunately, if these actions continue, China could end up erecting a great wall of self-isolation".

The Guardian

Russia quickly went down the path of self-isolation and witch-hunts for enemies.

The Guardian

At times, the Administration has appeared to understand this, but the habit of self-isolation persists.

The New Yorker

Sarkozy has unnecessarily and irresponsibly contributed to his own self-isolation.

The New York Times

Becoming a jihadist is a quantum leap requiring self-isolation, a break with one's upbringing, and dehumanization of non-Muslims.

The New Yorker

That austere self-isolation, perhaps, is why each new biography excites interest in her, which then subsides.

The New Yorker

But the Turman South dormitory at Emory University in Atlanta is what administrators call a self-isolation facility.

The New York Times

At the same time, of course, the political culture of the country, post-Crimea, has really descended into a kind of hell — nationalism, xenophobia, militarism, self-isolation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this term when the action is initiated by the individual rather than imposed by an outside authority.

Common error

Do not use "self-isolation" interchangeably with "quarantine" in strictly legal contexts. While "quarantine" is often a mandatory measure for those exposed to a pathogen, "self-isolation" usually describes the behavior of someone who is already symptomatic or choosing to withdraw for personal or strategic reasons.

Linguistic Context

As a compound noun, "self-isolation" serves as a naming word for a specific behavioral state. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it frequently follows prepositions like "in" or "into" and is often modified by adjectives such as "tenacious" or "austere".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "self-isolation" is a robust compound noun that is highly prevalent in modern English, especially within health and political discourse. Ludwig AI shows that the term is universally hyphenated and used with high grammatical precision across leading publications. While it is often associated with infectious disease management—where it denotes a proactive measure to stop viral spread—it also carries significant weight in psychological and geopolitical contexts, describing a deliberate retreat from external engagement. When writing, it is essential to distinguish it from "quarantine" to maintain technical accuracy. Overall, it remains a critical phrase for describing the act of separating oneself from a larger group for safety, strategy or personal reasons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-quarantine

Implies a more medically rigorous or precautionary separation due to potential exposure.

voluntary isolation

Emphasizes the personal choice or autonomy behind the decision to separate.

quarantine

Often implies a period of isolation that is legally mandated or strictly clinical.

home confinement

Specifies the physical location of the isolation, often in a legal or restrictive sense.

social distancing

Refers to maintaining physical space rather than complete separation from society.

shielding

Usually refers to protecting vulnerable individuals from external infection.

sequestration

A more formal or technical term for the act of removal or separation from the public.

seclusion

Focuses on the state of being private and away from people, often for peace or privacy.

withdrawal

Can imply a psychological or social retreat from interaction rather than a medical one.

solitude

Describes the state of being alone without the medical or restrictive connotations.

FAQs

How do I use "self-isolation" in a sentence?

You can use it as a noun to describe a state of being, such as: "The patient remained in "self-isolation" for ten days to prevent further transmission."

What is the difference between "self-isolation" and quarantine?

The main difference is that "quarantine" is typically for people who might have been exposed, whereas "self-isolation" is for those who are sick or choosing to stay away from others.

Is it "self isolation" or "self-isolation"?

The version with a hyphen, "self-isolation", is the correct and most widely accepted spelling in reputable publications like The New York Times and The Guardian.

What can I say instead of "self-isolation"?

Depending on the context, you can use "self-quarantine" for medical scenarios or "seclusion" for social ones.