independent
B1Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
Not influenced or controlled by others; self-governing; not depending on another for livelihood or validity.
Free from outside control or authority; capable of thinking or acting for oneself; not connected with another or others; politically autonomous.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an adjective describing a state of autonomy or self-reliance; can also function as a noun ('an independent' - e.g., a voter/politician not affiliated with a major party). Conceptually central to Western political philosophy and individualist values.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. In political contexts, UK 'Independent' (capitalized) often refers to a candidate/MP not representing a major party. In US, 'independent' frequently describes voters unaffiliated with Democrats/Republicans. 'Independent school' is UK term for private fee-paying school (US: 'private school').
Connotations
Both share strong positive connotations of freedom, self-reliance, and critical thinking. Slight UK nuance of 'maverick' or 'outsider' in political/journalistic contexts.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties, with near-identical core usage patterns.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
independent of (something/someone)independent from (something/someone - less common)independent + noun (e.g., independent country)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Independent as a hog on ice (US, dated)”
- “Paddle your own canoe”
- “Stand on your own two feet”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to companies not owned by a larger conglomerate, audits conducted by external firms, or consultants.
Academic
Describes autonomous research, variables in experiments, or scholarly work free from bias.
Everyday
Used for children leaving home, individuals managing finances alone, or making personal decisions.
Technical
In statistics: independent variable; in logic: premises not reliant on each other; in politics: sovereign statehood.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Rare as verb) The region sought to independent itself from central rule.
American English
- (Rare as verb) The colony moved to independent from the empire.
adverb
British English
- (Rare) They operated independently of head office.
American English
- (Rare) The committees function independently from one another.
adjective
British English
- After university, she was keen to become financially independent.
- The report was compiled by an independent panel of experts.
- It's an independent bakery, not part of a chain.
American English
- He registered as an independent voter.
- The study needs an independent review to verify its findings.
- She started her own independent consulting business.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My brother is very independent and travels alone.
- Scotland is a country in the UK but some people want it to be independent.
- The newspaper claims to be politically independent.
- Teenagers often want to be more independent from their parents.
- The investigation must be conducted by an independent body to ensure impartiality.
- Her independent analysis of the data revealed flaws in the original study.
- The judiciary must remain fiercely independent of executive influence to uphold the rule of law.
- His independently wealthy status allowed him to pursue philanthropy without seeking donors.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'IN' (not) + 'DEPEND' (rely on) + 'ENT' (being) = a being that does not rely on others.
Conceptual Metaphor
INDEPENDENCE IS STANDING ALONE; DEPENDENCE IS BEING SUPPORTED/Held Up. Often mapped onto physical uprightness vs. leaning.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'независимый' (correct) and 'самостоятельный' (more 'self-reliant in task performance'). 'Independent country' is 'независимое государство', not 'самостоятельное'. Beware false friend 'индепендент' (rare, historical term).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'independent from' instead of more standard 'independent of' (though both occur). Confusing 'independent' with 'indifferent'. Overcapitalizing when not a proper noun (e.g., 'She is an Independent thinker').
Practice
Quiz
In a scientific experiment, which variable is manipulated to test its effect?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are used, but 'independent of' is more traditional and frequent in formal writing. 'Independent from' is common in speech, especially in US English.
'Independent' is broader, covering political, financial, and institutional autonomy. 'Self-reliant' focuses more on personal ability to provide for oneself without help.
Yes, primarily in political contexts: e.g., 'He's not a Democrat or Republican; he's an independent.' It can also refer to an independent business or film.
The 'dependent variable'—the factor measured in an experiment, which may change in response to the independent variable.
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Media Analysis
B2 · 49 words · Critically analyzing media and information.
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