Independant vs. Independent — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 18, 2024
The common misspelling "Independant" is incorrect; the right spelling is "Independent," which means free from outside control or not depending on another's authority.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Independant or Independent
How to spell Independent?
Independant
Incorrect Spelling
Independent
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Visualize the word as "in-depend-ENT" focusing on the "ENT" ending.
Associate "independent" with a strong tree, standing tall with roots deeply "ENTrenched."
Remember, "-ant" is a common French ending, while "-ent" is English.
"Independent" ends with "-ent" just like its synonyms "confident" and "competent."
Think of the phrase "an independent entity," both words ending in "ent."
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How Do You Spell Independent Correctly?
Incorrect: They are looking for an independant contractor to complete the work.
Correct: They are looking for an independent contractor to complete the work.
Incorrect: He made an independant decision without consulting anyone.
Correct: He made an independent decision without consulting anyone.
Incorrect: The country declared itself independant from colonial rule.
Correct: The country declared itself independent from colonial rule.
Incorrect: She is a very independant woman.
Correct: She is a very independent woman.
Incorrect: The study was conducted by an independant research group.
Correct: The study was conducted by an independent research group.
Independent Definitions
Free from the influence, guidance, or control of another or others; self-reliant
An independent mind.
Not dependent on or affiliated with a larger or controlling entity
An independent food store.
An independent film.
"Independent" means not influenced by others in matters of opinion.
She has an independent mindset and doesn't follow the crowd.
"Independent" describes someone or something free from outside control.
Many nations fought for their independent status.
"Independent" can denote not relying on another for livelihood or subsistence.
After his new job, he became financially independent.
"Independent" in math means not determined by or capable of being deduced from the other(s).
In statistics, two variables can be independent of each other.
Not governed by a foreign power; self-governing.
Not determined or influenced by someone or something else; not contingent
A decision independent of the outcome of the study.
Often Independent Affiliated with or loyal to no one political party or organization.
Not relying on others for support, care, or funds; self-supporting.
Providing or being sufficient income to enable one to live without working
A person of independent means.
Not dependent on other variables.
Of or relating to a system of equations no one of which can be derived from another equation in the system.
Independent Of or relating to the 17th-century English Independents.
Often Independent One that is independent, especially a voter, officeholder, or political candidate who is not committed to a political party.
Independent A member of a movement in England in the 17th century advocating the political and religious independence of individual congregations.
Independent Chiefly British A Congregationalist.
Not dependent; not contingent or depending on something else; free.
(politics) Not affiliated with any political party.
The independent candidate
Providing a comfortable livelihood.
An independent property
Not subject to bias or influence; self-directing.
A man of an independent mind
Separate from; exclusive; irrespective.
A candidate or voter not affiliated with any political party, a freethinker, free of a party platform.
A neutral or uncommitted person.
(sports) A team not affiliated with any league or conference.
Not dependent; free; not subject to control by others; not relying on others; not subordinate; as, few men are wholly independent.
A dry, but independent crust.
Affording a comfortable livelihood; as, an independent property.
Not subject to bias or influence; not obsequious; self-directing; as, a man of an independent mind.
Expressing or indicating the feeling of independence; free; easy; bold; unconstrained; as, an independent air or manner.
Belonging or pertaining to, or holding to the doctrines or methods of, the Independents.
Not dependent upon another quantity in respect to value or rate of variation; - said of quantities or functions.
Not bound by party; exercising a free choice in voting with either or any party.
One who believes that an organized Christian church is complete in itself, competent to self-government, and independent of all ecclesiastical authority.
One who does not acknowledge an obligation to support a party's candidate under all circumstances; one who exercises liberty in voting.
A neutral or uncommitted person (especially in politics)
A writer or artist who sells services to different employers without a long-term contract with any of them
Free from external control and constraint;
An independent mind
A series of independent judgments
Fiercely independent individualism
An independent republic
Not dependent on or conditioned by or relative to anything else
Of political bodies;
An autonomous judiciary
A sovereign state
Not contingent
Of a clause; able to stand alone syntactically as a complete sentence;
The main (or independent) clause in a complex sentence has at least a subject and a verb
Not controlled by a party or interest group
"Independent" can refer to a person who is not affiliated with a major political party.
The independent candidate won many votes in the election.
Independent Meaning in a Sentence
Being independent means making your own choices.
The independent study option allows students to learn at their own pace.
An independent filmmaker produced the documentary.
She values her independence and prefers living alone.
The band released their album on an independent label.
Working as an independent consultant has its benefits and challenges.
Independent thinking is encouraged in this class.
He wanted to be financially independent by the age of 30.
The cat has an independent spirit, coming and going as it pleases.
She opened her own independent bookstore in the neighborhood.
She enjoys the independent lifestyle that freelancing offers.
The jury must remain independent and unbiased during the trial.
The school promotes independent learning strategies among its students.
An independent analysis confirmed the initial findings.
The country's independent electoral commission oversaw the elections.
He admired her independent nature and strong will.
Independent travel can be a rewarding experience.
Being independent doesn't mean you can't ask for help when needed.
The independent variable in the experiment was temperature.
He's an independent thinker who doesn't just follow the crowd.
Starting an independent business requires determination and hard work.
The film festival showcases independent films from around the world.
An independent review panel was set up to investigate the matter.
The independent clause forms a complete sentence on its own.
The movement aimed for independent governance and self-determination.
Independent Idioms & Phrases
Independent as a hog on ice
Being in a situation where one is struggling but stubbornly refusing help.
He's as independent as a hog on ice, never asking for assistance even when he needs it.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called Independent?
The term "independent" is derived from the prefix "in-" meaning "not" and "dependent," meaning "relying on another." Together, they describe something not reliant on others.
What is the root word of Independent?
The root word is "depend."
Which vowel is used before Independent?
This depends on the context. There is no specific vowel that always comes before "independent."
What is the verb form of Independent?
"Independ" is the verb form, though it is rarely used in modern English.
What is the pronunciation of Independent?
/ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt/
What is the singular form of Independent?
Independent.
What is the plural form of Independent?
Independents.
Is Independent an adverb?
No, "independent" is not an adverb. The adverbial form is "independently."
Which conjunction is used with Independent?
Any conjunction can be used with "independent" depending on the sentence, such as "and" or "but."
Is Independent a countable noun?
When used as a noun (e.g., referring to a person), it can be countable.
Is the Independent term a metaphor?
By itself, "independent" is not a metaphor, but it can be used metaphorically.
Is the word Independent is Gerund?
No, "independent" is not a gerund.
How many syllables are in Independent?
Five syllables.
Which preposition is used with Independent?
"Of" is commonly used, as in "independent of."
Which article is used with Independent?
Both "an" and "the" can be used with "independent," depending on context.
Is Independent an abstract noun?
When used as a noun, it can be considered abstract as it represents a concept.
Is the word “Independent” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Independent" can function as a direct object in a sentence, though it is primarily an adjective.
How do we divide Independent into syllables?
In-de-pen-dent.
What is the first form of Independent?
"Independent" does not have verb forms. It remains "independent."
Is Independent a noun or adjective?
"Independent" is primarily an adjective, but can also be a noun when referring to a person who is not affiliated with any party or group.
Is Independent a vowel or consonant?
"Independent" is a word, not a single letter. It contains both vowels and consonants.
Is Independent a collective noun?
No, "independent" is not a collective noun.
Is the word Independent is imperative?
No, "independent" is not imperative.
What is a stressed syllable in Independent?
The third syllable, "pen," is stressed.
Which determiner is used with Independent?
Determiners such as "this," "that," "my," "his," "her," etc. can be used depending on the context.
What is the third form of Independent?
Again, "independent" does not have verb forms.
What part of speech is Independent?
Adjective (primarily) and noun (secondarily).
What is the second form of Independent?
As mentioned, "independent" is primarily an adjective and does not have verb forms.
How is Independent used in a sentence?
"She is an independent thinker who always forms her own opinio
Is Independent a negative or positive word?
"Independent" is generally perceived as positive, but its connotation can vary depending on context.
What is another term for Independent?
Autonomous.
What is the opposite of Independent?
Dependent.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
