Dependent vs. Independent — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
"Dependent" denotes relying on someone or something else. "Independent" signifies freedom from external control or support.
Difference Between Dependent and Independent
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Dependent" is a term that conveys a reliance or need for something or someone else. When a person, entity, or system is dependent, it cannot function or proceed without the support, aid, or presence of another factor. For instance, a child is typically dependent on their parents for care, sustenance, and guidance. Similarly, a device might be dependent on electricity to operate.
"Independent," on the contrary, portrays a state of self-sufficiency and autonomy. When an individual or system is independent, it operates, decides, or exists without the direct influence, control, or assistance of another. An independent business owner, for example, might make decisions without needing approval from a larger governing body. A country might celebrate its independence day, signifying freedom from colonial rule.
The distinction between dependent and independent is foundational in various domains, from biology to economics. An organism might be dependent on a specific environment to thrive, whereas another might have a more independent existence, adaptable to varied conditions. Economically, a country could be heavily dependent on imports for certain goods, while another country might have independent sources of production for the same goods.
In grammar, the concepts of dependent and independent are also evident. A dependent clause relies on an independent clause to form a complete sentence. The independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, but the dependent cannot, showcasing the inherent relationship between reliance and autonomy in language.
In essence, while both dependent and independent address connections and relationships, they occupy opposite ends of the spectrum. One highlights reliance and the necessity of external factors, and the other emphasizes autonomy and self-governance.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Relies on another for support or function.
Operates without external control or support.
Autonomy
Lacks autonomy, requires external factors.
Possesses autonomy, self-governing.
In Grammar
A clause that cannot stand alone.
A clause that can stand alone as a sentence.
Examples
Children, some organisms, certain economies.
Independent nations, self-employed individuals.
Origin of Necessity
External factors or entities.
Internal sources or self-reliance.
Compare with Definitions
Dependent
Relying on another for support.
The young bird is dependent on its mother for food.
Independent
Free from external control or influence.
The country became independent after years of colonization.
Dependent
Needing something to proceed or exist.
The software is dependent on the latest update.
Independent
Not governed by a foreign power; self-governing.
Dependent
Determined by external conditions.
The results of the experiment are dependent on temperature.
Independent
Free from the influence, guidance, or control of another or others; self-reliant
An independent mind.
Dependent
Subordinate, not primary.
The annex is a dependent building of the main estate.
Independent
Not determined or influenced by someone or something else; not contingent
A decision independent of the outcome of the study.
Dependent
In grammar, a clause that cannot stand alone.
“Because it rained” is a dependent clause.
Independent
Often Independent Affiliated with or loyal to no one political party or organization.
Dependent
Contingent on or determined by
The various benefits will be dependent on length of service
Independent
Not dependent on or affiliated with a larger or controlling entity
An independent food store.
An independent film.
Dependent
Requiring someone or something for financial or other support
An economy heavily dependent on oil exports
Households with dependent children
Independent
Not relying on others for support, care, or funds; self-supporting.
Dependent
(of a clause, phrase, or word) subordinate to another clause, phrase, or word
A clause dependent on another clause
Independent
Providing or being sufficient income to enable one to live without working
A person of independent means.
Dependent
Variant spelling of dependant
Independent
Not dependent on other variables.
Dependent
Determined, influenced, or controlled by something else.
Independent
Of or relating to a system of equations no one of which can be derived from another equation in the system.
Dependent
(Grammar) Subordinate to another clause, phrase, or word.
Independent
Independent Of or relating to the 17th-century English Independents.
Dependent
Relying on or requiring the aid or support of another
Adult children who are still dependent on their parents.
Independent
Often Independent One that is independent, especially a voter, officeholder, or political candidate who is not committed to a political party.
Dependent
Needing to continue use of a drug or other substance or engagement in a specific activity in order to avoid experiencing withdrawal symptoms
Dependent on alcohol.
Independent
Independent A member of a movement in England in the 17th century advocating the political and religious independence of individual congregations.
Dependent
(Archaic) Hanging down.
Independent
Independent Chiefly British A Congregationalist.
Dependent
Also de·pen·dant One who relies on another, especially for financial support.
Independent
Not dependent; not contingent or depending on something else; free.
Dependent
Relying upon; depending upon.
At that point I was dependent on financial aid for my tuition.
Independent
(politics) Not affiliated with any political party.
The independent candidate
Dependent
(statistics) Having a probability that is affected by the outcome of a separate event.
Independent
Providing a comfortable livelihood.
An independent property
Dependent
Used after a particle (with one or two exceptions), such as those which express questions, subordinate clauses, and negative sentences.
Independent
Not subject to bias or influence; self-directing.
A man of an independent mind
Dependent
(medicine) Affecting the lower part of the body, such as the legs while standing up, or the back while supine.
Independent
Separate from; exclusive; irrespective.
Dependent
Hanging down.
A dependent bough or leaf
Independent
A candidate or voter not affiliated with any political party, a freethinker, free of a party platform.
Dependent
(US) One who relies on another for support
With two children and an ailing mother, she had three dependents in all.
Independent
A neutral or uncommitted person.
Dependent
(grammar) An element in phrase or clause structure that is not the head. Includes complements, modifiers and determiners.
Independent
(sports) A team not affiliated with any league or conference.
Dependent
(grammar) The aorist subjunctive or subjunctive perfective: a form of a verb not used independently but preceded by a particle to form the negative or a tense form. Found in Greek and in the Gaelic languages.
Independent
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.
Dependent
Hanging down; as, a dependent bough or leaf.
Independent
Affording a comfortable livelihood; as, an independent property.
Dependent
Relying on, or subject to, something else for support; not able to exist, or sustain itself, or to perform anything, without the will, power, or aid of something else; not self-sustaining; subordinate; - often with on or upon; as, dependent on God; dependent upon friends. Opposite of independent.
England, long dependent and degraded, was again a power of the first rank.
Independent
Not subject to bias or influence; not obsequious; self-directing; as, a man of an independent mind.
Dependent
Conditional; contingent or conditioned. Opposite of unconditional.
Independent
Expressing or indicating the feeling of independence; free; easy; bold; unconstrained; as, an independent air or manner.
Dependent
Addicted to drugs.
Independent
Separate from; exclusive; irrespective.
That obligation in general, under which we conceive ourselves bound to obey a law, independent of those resources which the law provides for its own enforcement.
Dependent
One who depends; one who is sustained by another, or who relies on another for financial support or favor; a hanger-on; a retainer; as, a numerous train of dependents.
A host of dependents on the court, suborned to play their part as witnesses.
Independent
Belonging or pertaining to, or holding to the doctrines or methods of, the Independents.
Dependent
That which depends; corollary; consequence.
With all its circumstances and dependents.
Independent
Not dependent upon another quantity in respect to value or rate of variation; - said of quantities or functions.
Dependent
A person who relies on another person for support (especially financial support)
Independent
Not bound by party; exercising a free choice in voting with either or any party.
Dependent
Not independent;
Dependent children
Independent
One who believes that an organized Christian church is complete in itself, competent to self-government, and independent of all ecclesiastical authority.
Dependent
Contingent on something else
Independent
One who does not acknowledge an obligation to support a party's candidate under all circumstances; one who exercises liberty in voting.
Dependent
Of a clause; unable to stand alone syntactically as a complete sentence;
A subordinate (or dependent) clause functions as a noun or adjective or adverb within a sentence
The main (or independent) clause in a complex sentence has at least a subject and a verb
Independent
A neutral or uncommitted person (especially in politics)
Dependent
Being under the power or sovereignty of another or others;
Subject peoples
A dependent prince
Independent
A writer or artist who sells services to different employers without a long-term contract with any of them
Dependent
Addicted to a drug
Independent
Free from external control and constraint;
An independent mind
A series of independent judgments
Fiercely independent individualism
An independent republic
Independent
Not dependent on or conditioned by or relative to anything else
Independent
Of political bodies;
An autonomous judiciary
A sovereign state
Independent
Not contingent
Independent
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
Independent
Not controlled by a party or interest group
Independent
Self-reliant, not depending on another.
She's an independent woman who manages her own affairs.
Independent
Not connected to anything else; separate.
The newspaper remains independent from political parties.
Independent
Unbiased, impartial.
The study was conducted by an independent research team.
Independent
In grammar, a clause that can stand alone.
“She went to the store” is an independent clause.
Common Curiosities
Can a person be both dependent and independent in different areas?
Yes, one might be financially independent but emotionally dependent on others.
Can a dependent clause stand alone?
No, a dependent clause requires an independent clause to be a complete sentence.
Are independent businesses free from all external influences?
Not entirely, they still face market forces, regulations, and other external factors.
What does it mean for a country to be independent?
It means the country has sovereignty and isn't under the control of another nation.
Why is being financially independent important?
It offers freedom from relying on others for financial needs, granting more autonomy.
Can a device be dependent on software?
Yes, certain devices require specific software to function properly.
Are children always dependent on adults?
Typically, but as they grow, they can gain independence in various areas.
Why do organisms have dependent relationships?
Dependent relationships, like symbiosis, can offer survival advantages.
Can an independent clause be part of a larger sentence?
Yes, a sentence can have both independent and dependent clauses.
Does being independent mean being isolated?
Not necessarily; one can be independent in decision-making but still maintain relationships.
Are there synonyms for dependent and independent?
Yes, for dependent: reliant, subordinate. For independent: autonomous, self-sufficient.
What's an example of an independent variable in research?
An independent variable is what's manipulated in an experiment, like light exposure in a plant growth study.
What does it mean for a journalist to be independent?
It implies the journalist operates without bias or external influence.
Are dependent relationships always negative?
No, they can be mutually beneficial, like in mutualistic relationships.
How do dependent and independent clauses differ?
An independent clause can stand alone, while a dependent clause cannot.
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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.
