depend
B1Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
To be determined, influenced, or controlled by something else; to rely on something or someone for support, help, or existence.
Used to indicate that a decision, outcome, or truth cannot be known or is uncertain until a particular condition is met.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a conditional relationship or a state of contingency. Can express trust or reliability.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'depend' is frequently followed by 'on' or 'upon' (e.g., 'It depends on the weather'). In American English, 'on' is standard, with 'upon' being more formal.
Connotations
Slightly more formal when followed by 'upon' (more common historically in BrE).
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties, with no significant divergence.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
depend on/upon + NPdepend on/upon + V-ingdepend on/upon + Wh-clauseIt/That depends + (on) + Wh-clauseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That depends”
- “Depend upon it!”
- “A lot depends on...”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Profits depend on market conditions and operational efficiency.
Academic
The validity of the conclusion depends on the methodological rigor of the study.
Everyday
Whether we go for a picnic depends on the weather.
Technical
The chemical reaction depends on the precise temperature and pH levels.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The train times depend upon the day of the week.
- You can depend on her to be punctual.
American English
- The success of the launch depends on the weather.
- Can I depend on you for a ride?
adverb
British English
- He acted dependably in the crisis.
- The system functioned dependably for years.
American English
- She always shows up dependably on time.
- The car has run dependably in all conditions.
adjective
British English
- The dependant child receives an allowance. (Note: spelling variant 'dependant' as noun)
- He is financially dependent on his parents.
American English
- The dependent child is covered by insurance.
- She is emotionally dependent on her partner.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I depend on my phone for the time.
- Children depend on their parents.
- Our plans for the weekend depend on the weather.
- You can always depend on Mark to help.
- The company's future depends on securing this investment.
- The legal outcome depends entirely on how the judge interprets the contract.
- The ecological balance of the region depends upon a complex interplay of predator and prey species.
- Whether the theory holds water depends crucially on the replicability of the experimental data.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PENDulum. Its swing DEPENDs on the force applied.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUPPORT IS A FOUNDATION (e.g., 'The argument rests on solid evidence'). UNCERTAINTY IS A SUSPENDED OBJECT (e.g., 'The plan is hanging on his decision').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'зависеть' in contexts meaning 'to hang' (physically).
- In Russian, 'это зависит' often stands alone; in English, it typically requires 'on' + a noun/clause.
- Do not use 'depend from' – the correct preposition is 'on/upon'.
Common Mistakes
- *It depends of the time. (Incorrect preposition)
- *It depend on... (Missing -s for 3rd person singular)
- *Children are depend on parents. (Confusing verb and adjective 'dependent')
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'depend' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'Depend on' is more common in everyday modern English. 'Depend upon' is slightly more formal and literary.
Yes, but it is often followed by 'on' and a noun or a clause (e.g., 'It depends on the situation.' or 'It depends on what you mean.'). In conversation, 'It depends' can stand alone as a short answer.
'Depend' is a verb meaning to be controlled or influenced by, or to rely on. 'Dependable' is an adjective describing someone or something that can be relied on (e.g., a dependable friend).
In the short phrase 'That depends' or 'It depends,' the preposition 'on' is implied and the specific condition is understood from context. It's an accepted idiomatic usage.