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Which one is correct? Independent of or independent from? So I am going to tell you the answer to this question, which is one of the English Common Mistakes with independent
I want to tell you some points about the adjective “independent,” which is related to its prepositions. To know the common mistakes with independent, let’s check its meaning before going to its prepositions. Here is the definition of independent in some dictionaries:
Oxford:
adjective /ˌindəˈpendənt/
• SELF-GOVERNING, self-ruling, self-determining, sovereign, autonomous, autarchic, free, non-aligned.
e.g., an independent country.
• SEPARATE, different, unconnected, unrelated, dissociated, discrete.
e.g,. Two independent groups of biologists verified the results.
• PRIVATE, non-state-run, private-sector, fee-paying; privatized, denationalized.
e.g,. An independent school
• SELF-SUFFICIENT, self-supporting, self-reliant, standing on one’s own two feet.
e.g., her grown-up, independent children.
• IMPARTIAL, unbiased, unprejudiced, neutral, disinterested, uninvolved, uncommitted, detached, dispassionate, objective, non-partisan, non-discriminatory, with no axe to grind, without fear or favour.
e.g. independent advice
• FREETHINKING, free, individualistic, unconventional, maverick, bold, unconstrained, unfettered, untrammelled.
e.g., an independent spirit.
Opposites: subservient, related, public, biased.
Cambridge:
not influenced or controlled by other people but free to make your own decisions
example:
• an independent thinker
• Congress called for the appointment of an independent counsel to investigate the president.
• Now that Jean’s got a job, she’s financially independent (= she does not need money from other people).
Based on the above definitions for the word “independent,” it has the following meanings as an adjective:
- (of a country) self-governing
- to be free from outside control
- not subject to another’s authority
- not belonging to or supported by a political party
- (of broadcasting, a school, etc.) not supported by public funds
- not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence
- capable of thinking or acting for oneself
- not connected with another or with each other; separate
As a noun, it means:
- congregationalist
- an independent person or body
- An independent political candidate
Most English learners usually make a mistake in using independent with the proper preposition, and they use “from” instead of “of“. So you need to be very careful not to make this mistake while “independent” never takes “for” as a preposition.
Common Mistakes #52
× He’s independent from his parents.
✓ He’s independent of his parents.
As you can see from the above example, we must use of with “independent” while some English learners think that it is needed to use from, so it is important to be aware of this common mistake. Look at the following examples:
× I could be independent from my parents finally.
✓ I could be independent of my parents finally.
and
× To be independent from your own is the first step to succeed in your work.
✓ To be independent of your own is the first step to succeed in your work.
and
× I used to be independent from anybody in my life.
✓ I used to be independent of anybody in my life.
× The kid is independent from his parents for walking now.
✓ The kid is independent of his parents for walking now.
Here are some other examples on how to use independent with the proper preposition “of”:
They have made independent of science.
He is completely independent of the others.
Humans are capable of making choices independent of the environment.
The new update of the software is independent of RAM and CPU attributes.
Our time is independent of what we are doing to complete the project.
The investigation should be independent of what the government wants it to be.
These risks are not independent of the risk of working directly on the probe.
My project was completed independently of the available resources.
The officer is authorizing that the informant should be independent of the investigation.
Point:
It is possible to use the preposition “on” with a dependent in some cases. Notice the following Example:
Helen is dependent on her parents.
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