from/ of choice

[optimistic pessimist]

Dear all,

The country became independent [from/ of] Britain in 1947.

In the sentence above, I think both "from" and "of" are fine. However, I'd like to know which word is used more often or better?

Thank you!

OP

[Rover_KE]

You are right. My preference is for of.

Note that a better title would have been Independent from/of, as the Similar Threads feature at the bottom of the page has incorrectly homed in on choice.

Rover

[SoothingDave]

I would use "from." The American colonies gained their independence from England.

[5jj]

I would use "from." The American colonies gained their independence from England.

I agree, but I'd still say, "The American colonies became independent of England".

COCA has 14 citations for 'become/became independent from'. and 15 for 'become/became independent of', so both appear to be acceptable.