sense of autonomy

USAGE SUMMARY

"sense of autonomy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person's feeling of being in control of their own decisions and actions. For example, "The employee had a strong sense of autonomy when it came to making decisions about his own workload."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This sense of autonomy is an illusion.

The New Yorker

"I had already lost that sense of autonomy.

The Guardian

He messes with our sense of autonomy and distance.

The Guardian - Arts

"Being monitored can decrease this sense of autonomy and control.

The Guardian

A sense of autonomy also activates a strong reward response.

Harvard Business Review

Being away from an office and working independently gave me a great sense of autonomy.

The Guardian

Would they further corrode my sense of autonomy or further circumscribe my existence?

The New York Times

"Human beings are motivated to appeal to our sense of autonomy, competence, social connectedness...

The New Yorker

They said that KidZania gave them what they desired most of all: a sense of autonomy.

The New Yorker

For that reason, my cochlear implant didn't fundamentally challenge my sense of autonomy and selfhood.

The New York Times - Science

He'd rather die than be infantilized and surrender his sense of autonomy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to enhance employee engagement, foster a "sense of autonomy" by providing opportunities for independent decision-making and project ownership.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the degree of "sense of autonomy" if external constraints significantly limit individual decision-making power; ensure claims of autonomy align with reality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of autonomy" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject of a verb, describing the feeling or perception of being self-governing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sense of autonomy" is a common and grammatically sound phrase that describes the feeling of being in control of one's decisions and actions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's frequently found in news, scientific, and business contexts. To enhance writing, use it to describe situations where individuals or groups have the power to make independent choices. While related phrases like "sense of independence" or "sense of agency" exist, "sense of autonomy" specifically emphasizes self-governance. When using the phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects the degree of autonomy being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense of agency

Highlights the capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power.

sense of self-determination

Emphasizes the ability to make choices and manage one's own life.

feeling of independence

Focuses on the emotional experience of being independent, rather than the perceived control.

feeling of self-governance

Emphasizes the aspect of ruling or controlling oneself.

experience of independence

Emphasizes the lived reality of being independent.

perception of control

Highlights the awareness and belief that one has control over their actions and decisions.

self-directedness

A more concise term emphasizing the quality of directing oneself.

feeling of freedom

Emphasizes the liberation aspect associated with autonomy.

feeling of empowerment

Focuses on the feeling of being enabled and authorized to act.

perception of liberty

Focuses on the perceived state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views.

FAQs

How can I foster a "sense of autonomy" in the workplace?

You can cultivate a "sense of autonomy" by delegating decision-making, encouraging independent project management, and providing employees with the resources and support they need to succeed independently.

What are the benefits of having a "sense of autonomy"?

A "sense of autonomy" can lead to increased job satisfaction, higher levels of motivation, improved performance, and greater overall well-being.

What's the difference between "sense of autonomy" and "sense of independence"?

While related, "sense of autonomy" emphasizes self-governance and control over one's actions, while "sense of independence" focuses more on freedom from external control or reliance on others.

Is "sense of autonomy" the same as "sense of freedom"?

Not exactly. "Sense of freedom" highlights the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved. Instead, "sense of autonomy" is more about the self-government and power to do things without external control.