striving for independence

USAGE SUMMARY

"striving for independence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of working towards achieving complete autonomy. For example, "The country is striving for independence through a series of economic reforms."

✓ Grammatically correct

Secondary school students aiming for self-reliance

Nations seeking autonomy

Individuals overcoming disabilities

Adolescents navigating adulthood

Researchers pursuing research autonomy

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Secondary school children described striving for independence, and preferring to be independent even when they had sustained a fracture.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Most young people, he said, are striving for independence, to feel they have reached adulthood.

The New York Times

This Russian-backed region of Moldova, a poor country bordering the E.U. member Romania, is striving for independence or far-reaching autonomy from Moldova.

The New York Times

The governor's mother — despite her insistence that he be treated as a regular boy — also helped him recognize that he needed a balance between striving for independence and asking for help when he needed it.

The New York Times

BEIJING — When President Hu Jintao said in a pomp-filled ceremony in the Great Hall of the People on July 1, "The Communist Party of China was founded 90 years ago today," and, "From then on, the Chinese people embarked on the bright road of striving for independence and liberation and the glorious pursuit of prosperity and strength," he was wrong.

The New York Times

Such dramas, of course, are a standard feature of adolescent narratives and John is, in many ways, a very typical teenager: striving for independence before he really knows what it involves, cocky, prone to showing off, wilfully oblivious to the feelings of others.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

As Guardian journalists we strive for independence.

The Guardian

In her own way, Siddal strove for independence.

The Guardian - Arts

"I strived for independence from a young age.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The company will also première Jacqulyn Buglisi's "Suspended Women," in which ladies in hoopskirts strive for independence.

The New Yorker

Autonomous: Creative people often strive for independence in their thoughts and actions, relying on intrinsic motivation to pursue their goals.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "striving for independence" to convey a sense of active effort and progress toward a specific goal. It's more dynamic than simply 'being independent'.

Common error

Avoid using "striving for independence" when the subject has already achieved full autonomy. The phrase implies an ongoing effort, not a completed state. Using it to portray a sense of continuous effort helps keep the tone grounded and factual, rather than celebratory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "striving for independence" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a noun to describe the act of actively pursuing autonomy. As seen in Ludwig, it depicts the ongoing effort toward self-reliance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

29%

Academia

26%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "striving for independence" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase that describes the active pursuit of autonomy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate across various contexts, from personal growth to national movements. While the phrase is used across a variety of sources, it is slightly more common in journalistic writing, academic research, and scientific reports. To use the phrase effectively, remember that it conveys an ongoing effort, not a completed state, and that is useful to showcase the dedication and concrete steps behind the process of being self-reliant and autonomous. Avoid the common mistake of using it when independence has already been achieved. Instead, use phrases like "pursuing autonomy" or "seeking self-reliance" to have a very similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pursuing autonomy

Focuses on the act of actively seeking self-governance or freedom.

seeking self-reliance

Emphasizes the goal of becoming capable and independent in one's own abilities.

working towards self-sufficiency

Highlights the process of developing the capacity to meet one's own needs without external assistance.

endeavoring to be independent

Suggests a determined effort to achieve a state of autonomy.

aiming for self-determination

Stresses the desire to have control over one's own fate and decisions.

aspiring to freedom

Focuses on the desire for liberation and unrestricted action.

pushing for liberation

Highlights the effort to break free from constraints or control.

fighting for autonomy

Emphasizes the struggle and resistance involved in gaining independence.

seeking liberation

Focuses on being freed from oppression.

establishing autonomy

Focuses on the goal of creating self-governance.

FAQs

How can I use "striving for independence" in a sentence?

You can use "striving for independence" to describe a person, group, or nation that is actively working towards becoming self-sufficient and autonomous. For example: "The young entrepreneur is "striving for independence" by building her own business."

What are some synonyms for "striving for independence"?

Alternatives to "striving for independence" include "pursuing autonomy", "seeking self-reliance", or "working towards self-sufficiency". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "striving for independence" or "achieving independence"?

"Striving for independence" emphasizes the ongoing effort, while "achieving independence" indicates the completion of that effort. Use "striving" when the process is still underway and "achieving" when the goal has been reached.

What's the difference between "striving for independence" and "desiring independence"?

"Striving for independence" implies active effort and concrete steps being taken, while "desiring independence" simply indicates a wish or longing without necessarily implying action. One suggests real work toward a goal, the other only hints at a wish for the situation.