dependence
C1Neutral to formal; widely used in academic, medical, and general contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The state of needing something or someone for support or survival.
A state of relying on a substance, person, or system; a condition of being contingent or determined by something else.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often carries a negative connotation when referring to addictive substances or unhealthy reliance. In technical contexts (e.g., mathematics, programming), it is neutral, meaning a relationship of reliance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'dependence' is standard in both, though 'dependency' is also used, especially in British English for political contexts (e.g., 'a British dependency'). In American medical/psychology texts, 'dependency' is common for substance issues.
Connotations
UK: Slightly more formal, often used in socio-political contexts ('colonial dependence'). US: Strong association with addiction ('drug dependence') and psychological terminology.
Frequency
More frequent in American English in medical/psychological contexts. In general usage, frequency is similar.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
dependence on [something/someone]dependence upon [something/someone]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Codependence (psychological term)”
- “Kick the dependence (informal)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to reliance on a single supplier, market, or technology (e.g., 'Our dependence on imported components is a strategic risk').
Academic
Used in psychology (addiction), economics (trade dependence), and systems theory (e.g., 'functional dependence of variables').
Everyday
Describes reliance on people, substances, or habits (e.g., 'teenage dependence on parents', 'caffeine dependence').
Technical
In computing/maths: a relationship where one entity's state is determined by another (e.g., 'data dependence', 'linear dependence').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She depends on the bus to get to work.
- The outcome depends entirely on the weather.
American English
- He depends on his morning coffee.
- It depends on how you look at it.
adverb
British English
- He listened dependently to his mentor's advice.
- The system functions dependently on the main server.
American English
- She acted dependently, always seeking approval.
- The modules work dependently, not independently.
adjective
British English
- She is heavily dependent on public transport.
- The region is dependent on tourism.
American English
- The addict is drug-dependent.
- A dependent clause cannot stand alone.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby has a total dependence on its parents.
- Our dependence on water is very high.
- His dependence on his phone is becoming a problem.
- The country wants to reduce its dependence on oil.
- The study examined the psychological dependence on social media validation.
- Economic dependence on a single industry makes the town vulnerable.
- The treaty created a relationship of mutual dependence between the trading partners.
- Her research critiques the neo-colonial patterns of technological dependence in developing nations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DEEP END. If you're in the deep end of a pool, you depend on someone to help you out. Dependence = being in need of help.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEPENDENCE IS A BOND/CHAIN (e.g., 'shackled by dependence', 'ties of dependence'). DEPENDENCE IS A CRUTCH (e.g., 'using alcohol as a crutch').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'зависимость' when it means 'addiction' only; 'dependence' is broader. 'Dependence on' = 'зависимость от' (with genitive case).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'dependence of' (correct: 'dependence on/upon'). Confusing spelling: 'dependance' (archaic). Overusing in positive contexts; it often implies weakness.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'dependence' MOST likely to have a neutral or positive connotation?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern usage, they are often interchangeable. However, 'dependency' is more common for legal/political territories ('overseas dependency') and in specific clinical terms ('substance dependency'). 'Dependence' is the more general, all-purpose term.
Yes, in contexts like 'healthy interdependence' in relationships or ecological systems. However, the unmodified word 'dependence' often carries a neutral-to-negative implication of vulnerability or lack of autonomy.
The standard prepositions are 'on' or 'upon' (e.g., dependence on foreign oil). 'Of' is incorrect in this context.
It is primarily an uncountable noun (e.g., 'a state of dependence'). It can be used countably in formal or technical writing when referring to specific types or instances (e.g., 'analysing the various dependences within the system'), but this is less common.
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Relationships
B1 · 49 words · Vocabulary for interpersonal and social connections.
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