Have you ever been in a situation where you are confused about which word to use? Well, this happens mostly in written speech, especially when the words are closely related in spelling. That is the case with the terms independant and independent, but this independant vs independent piece will reveal the correct word.
A quick search reveals that independant is an incorrect word, so it has no particular meaning. Independent is the correct word. It means being yourself and free from control by an individual or authority. Another meaning is being self-sufficient and not depending on others for anything.
It feels good when you can differentiate words because you avoid a lot of inconveniences, whether you are writing a test or on social media. This post will let you know all about the words independant and independent, from their meanings, application in contexts, and different example sentences.
Definitions Of Independant And Independent
There’s nothing important to English learners and pros like learning about definitions of various words. Whenever you are unsure about a certain word, please do not rush to use it because you will make a mistake, and your message will not be perceived as you expect.
The section below focuses on the definitions of independant and independent to help you distinguish these words.
What Is The Definition Of Independant?
There is no formally recognized meaning of independant in both online or offline dictionaries. It is a misspelling of the word independent.
As you might have noticed in the answer section in the second paragraph of this article, independant is a wrongly spelled word that many confuse with independent. With this clarification, you should not make mistakes in sentences.
What Is The Definition Of Independent?
The main definition of independent is being free of control. A state where nothing regulates what you think about or do. Some of the synonyms of this word include self-regulating, self-determining, and self-governing. Others include free, maverick, unconventional, and individualistic.
You can also be independent when you are a free thinker. By a freethinker, we mean a person who believes in what they believe. Your opinions on an issue do not affect their stand on what they prefer.
Another definition of independent is “self-directing and not being subjected or influenced by biased opinions or statements.” In this case, you are not subject to prejudice, and no fear or contradictory statements can make you take a different stand. An excellent sentence to understand this is, “Mark has stood as an independent staff, even after the controversial email from the boss.”
How To Properly Use Independant And Independent In A Sentence
We can all agree that where words have similar pronunciation and spelling, using them in sentences becomes very confusing. The consequences of using the wrong word are dire, so focusing on the right spelling is always important.
The situation is not different when it comes to the word independant and independent. But the good news is we’ll let you know how to use each word in various contexts so that you don’t make errors that are easy to rectify. Here we go:
How To Use The Word Independant
The word independant is not applicable in sentences. From the definitions, it is clear that the term is a misspelling of the word independent. If you decide to use it in sentences, you will have committed a grammatical and contextual error.
The only thing that makes this word incorrect is the difference in one character. If you look keenly at the last three characters, you will notice that the word independant ends with “-ant,” and independent ends with “-ent.” So, they differ with a single character “a” and “e.”
How To Use The Word Independent
Independent is an adjective that is widely used. From the definitions, you can easily tell where to use this word. We will summarize the different applications so that you will not have a hard time if you use the word in various contexts without deviating from the meanings. Here are the primary uses of the word independent.
In Legislation And Politics
When used in the two scenarios, the word refers to a party or individual that has no affiliation with other parties. In politics, most countries have various coalitions that small parties join to form a majority; those that don’t join the coalitions are termed as “independent.”
In Sports
In games, this term applies in several ways. It refers to teams that play outside a particular league. Also, if a team is not subject to following rules that guide football or other types of sports in a certain geographical area, we can say that it is independent.
In Homes And Families
Use this word when referring to families that showcase some virtues of freedom and non-adherence to society’s expectations. Such homes are neutral and rarely involve themselves in the affairs of others. Note that some level of independence can have people refer to you as proud or an outcast.
In Christianity And Other Religions
There is some much independence when it comes to religion. It’s because every religion believes in varying things and concepts. Some even consider other religions wrong in the way they do their things. So, whenever you are referring to a church or any other religious body that follows a certain doctrine, use the word “independence” to emphasize the action.
In Mathematics
You can use the word independent in different subjects. In most cases, the words represent general instances or scenarios. However, in mathematics, the definition is quite specific, especially when learning variables. In algebra, an independent variable doesn’t depend on others in an expression. The opposite of this is independent variables that depend on others.
In Organizations, Independent Bodies And Societies
You probably know some independent societies or organizations that champion a particular cause. Some represent the interest of special groups of people, while others are government based and work without influence from other arms of government to deliver on their mandates. They are termed independent because no one controls their operations or decision-making.
List Of Examples Of Independant And Independent Use In Sentences
It is easy to assume that you know everything about particular words when you have memorized their definitions and various applications. While that helps, sentence examples make it easier for words to stick in your long term memories.
We already know that independent is the correct word. However, we will highlight both examples of independant and independent use in sentences so you can know when you are making errors. Here are ten examples to guide you.
Example sentences with the word Independant
- It feels safe to be a member of an active independant body. (Incorrect)
- Mary showcased the importance of being independant despite the criticisms. (Incorrect)
- How long does it take to register an independant organization? (Incorrect)
- Learning about independant variables was my today’s favorite lecture. (Incorrect)
- All the independant teams will not participate in summer games. (Incorrect)
Example sentences with the word Independent
- It feels safe to be a member of an active independent body. (Correct)
- Mary showcased the importance of being independent despite the criticisms. (Correct)
- How long does it take to register an independent organization? (Correct)
- Learning about independent variables was my today’s favorite lecture. (Correct)
- All the independent teams will not participate in summer games. (Correct)
The Verdict
The words independant and independent look closely related, but they are not the same. It will help if you do not use either of the words in place of another. Simply put, the correct word to use in sentences is independent.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.