sovereignty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sovereignty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the authority of a state to govern itself or another state, often in political or legal contexts. Example: "The country fought for its sovereignty after years of colonial rule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The fact that Indonesia for a long time refused to even acknowledge that there was a double standard in their insistence that Australia was infringing their sovereignty by appealing for clemency, while at the same time appealing for clemency for its own citizens facing the death penalty in other countries, that has been really quite damaging from Australia's point of view," he said.

The Guardian

In the Polish debate, the issue of the Brussels diktat or loss of sovereignty has surfaced only very rarely of late.

The Guardian

There was nonetheless a historical irony in watching Ukrainians tearing down Lenin's statues as a sign of their will to break with Soviet domination and assert their national sovereignty.

The Guardian

A large apparatus, however, always faces the same battle – over national visions, sovereignty, money, positions.

The Guardian

He defended the country's third nuclear test in February, which led to a new United Nations security council resolution tightening sanctions, telling listeners: "Our nuclear weapons have served as a strong war deterrent to defend our national security and sovereignty".

The Guardian

Mbalula made a plea to the South African media on Wednesday that may well backfire: "Don't be the first to chase us about bribes when we did not bribe … There is sovereignty and patriotism.

The Guardian - Sport

Political elites look increasingly interchangeable: Blair, Brown, and Cameron have all tried to provide cover for the surrender of sovereignty to foreign investors with invocations of "British" values, and, more opportunistically, anti-immigrant rhetoric.

The Guardian - Opinion

5.06pm: Now Geert Wilders is speaking again -- telling MPs that the upcoming election (for which we don't have a date) will be a referendum about Europe and Dutch sovereignty.

The Guardian - Business

Geert Wilders' declaration that the election will be treated as a referendum on euro membership, and the conservation of Dutch sovereignty, ratchets up the pressure.

The Guardian - Business

No government can pretend to sovereignty and responsibility unless it makes every effort within its power and its means to ensure that outcome.

The Guardian - Tech

Colleen Delaney Eubanks, executive director of the National Child Support Enforcement Association, said that concerns over state sovereignty were baseless, and compared the new rules to the way that Idaho collects child support payments from Texas or any other US state.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing international relations or political theory, ensure that you clearly define what aspects of "sovereignty" are being discussed (e.g., economic, political, or cultural).

Common error

Avoid assuming that "sovereignty" implies unchecked power; it is often balanced by international laws, treaties, and internal constitutional constraints.

Linguistic Context

The word "sovereignty" functions primarily as a noun. It represents the concept of supreme authority or the right to govern oneself, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples highlighting national security, territorial integrity, and the right to self-determination. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sovereignty" is a commonly used noun that signifies supreme authority and self-governance. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely employed in formal contexts like news, business, and international relations. When writing about "sovereignty", it's important to consider the specific aspects you are discussing, as it encompasses political, economic, and cultural dimensions. While often associated with power, "sovereignty" is not absolute and is frequently balanced by various constraints. Related concepts include "national independence" and "self-governance".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

national independence

Emphasizes a nation's freedom from external control.

self-governance

Highlights the ability to govern oneself without external interference.

autonomous rule

Focuses on the capacity for independent decision-making and control.

supreme authority

Underscores the highest level of control and power within a territory.

independent jurisdiction

Highlights the legal authority to govern without external oversight.

territorial integrity

Focuses on the inviolability of a nation's borders and territory.

state autonomy

Emphasizes the self-reliance and decision-making power of a state.

freedom from intervention

Highlights the absence of external interference in internal affairs.

right to self-determination

Focuses on the inherent right of a people to choose their own government and future.

absolute dominion

Emphasizes complete and unrestricted control over a territory or people.

FAQs

How can I use "sovereignty" in a sentence?

You can use "sovereignty" to describe a nation's right to govern itself without external interference. For example, "The country fought for its "national independence" and the right to exercise "sovereignty" over its territory".

What is a good alternative to "sovereignty"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "sovereignty" include "self-governance", "national independence", or "supreme authority".

What's the difference between "sovereignty" and "jurisdiction"?

"Sovereignty" refers to the supreme authority to govern, while "jurisdiction" is the practical authority to apply laws and make legal judgments within a specific area or over a specific group of people. A nation needs "national independence" in order to excercise both.

Is it correct to say a person has "sovereignty"?

While "sovereignty" primarily applies to states or nations, it can metaphorically refer to an individual's "freedom of thought" and action, implying they have ultimate control over their own decisions and beliefs. However, this usage is less common.