Meaning & use
independent invention
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable or uncountabletechnical
The creation of the same thing by different people or societies at different times, with no contact between them.
Grammar: Can be countable (an independent invention) or uncountable (evidence of independent invention); often followed by 'of'.
Patterns
- the independent invention of something
- an independent invention of something
- evidence of independent invention
The independent invention of writing happened in several parts of the world.
Historians describe the bow and arrow as an independent invention in many cultures.
There is clear evidence of independent invention rather than borrowing.
nouncountabletechnical
A thing that was created in this way by people who had no contact with each other.
Grammar: Countable; usually appears in the plural when talking about several such things.
Patterns
- be an independent invention
- a series of independent inventions
The wheel is often called an independent invention.
Farming appeared as a series of independent inventions across the continents.
Word forms
| plural | independent inventions |
|---|
Common combinations
- the independent invention of writing
- Scholars debate the independent invention of writing in Mesopotamia and Mesoamerica.
- evidence of independent invention
- The similar designs are evidence of independent invention, not copying.
- a case of independent invention
- The calendar is a famous case of independent invention.
- multiple independent inventions
- Pottery shows multiple independent inventions around the world.
Synonyms and how they differ
- convergent development
- A broader term used in anthropology for similar things developing separately; it can cover ideas and customs, not only inventions.
Opposites
Word family
- invention noun
- A new thing that someone has made or designed.
- invent verb
- To design or create something new.
- inventor noun
- A person who invents things.
- independently adverb
- Without help or influence from others.
Commonly confused: independent invention or innovation?
independent invention vs innovation
Innovation is putting a new idea or method into use, while invention is creating the thing itself.
Practice
Choose the best completion: The independent invention ___ the wheel occurred in several ancient societies.
Choose one answer.
'Independent invention of something' is the standard pattern, like 'the invention of printing'. 'For' and 'to' do not follow 'invention' in this meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “independent invention”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.