depend

IPA/dɪˈpend/
KK[dɪpˈɛnd]IPA/dɪˈpend/

depend — verb

  • dependpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • dependshe / she / it
  • dependedpast simple
  • depending-ing form

1. if one thing depends on another, the first thing is decided by or changes accord

1.verbintransitiveA2
Definition

if one thing depends on another, the first thing is decided by or changes according to what the second thing does or is like — so different conditions produce different results.

Example

Whether Rodrigo goes to the beach on Saturday depends on the weather forecast.

depend on + noun phrase: result varies by condition

The price of a train ticket depends largely on how far in advance you book.

collocation: depend largely on

Common collocations
  • depend heavily on
  • depend largely on
  • depend entirely on
  • depend partly on
  • depend mainly on
  • depend greatly on
Synonyms
  • hinge on

    more emphatic and dramatic — suggests the whole outcome rests on a single factor

  • be determined by

    more formal and less conditional-sounding; focuses on causation rather than variability

  • rest on

    slightly more formal; implies the factor is a foundation

Grammar Patterns

depend + on/upon + noun phrase

depend + on/upon + wh-clause

Usage Note

Frequently used with adverbs like 'largely', 'heavily', 'entirely', 'partly' between the verb and 'on'. Formal writing may use 'depend upon' instead of 'depend on'. This sense does NOT take a continuous form ('❌ is depending') in most contexts.

Common Mistakes

The price depends of the quality.
The price depends on the quality.
'depend' is always followed by 'on' or 'upon', never 'of' — a direct calque from several European languages.

2. used when you cannot give a definite answer because the answer changes according

2.verbintransitiveA2
Definition

used when you cannot give a definite answer because the answer changes according to different factors or conditions — you are saying the answer is not fixed because circumstances matter.

Example

'Are you coming to the party tonight?' 'It depends — I have to finish my homework first.'

standalone 'it depends' as a response to a yes/no question

When you ask Caleb whether he likes spicy food, he always says it depends on the dish.

Common collocations
  • it depends
  • that depends
  • it depends on [factor]
  • it all depends
  • well, it depends
Synonyms
  • be uncertain

    less natural in conversation; more direct and less polite

  • be up in the air

    informal idiom meaning 'not yet decided'; less about conditional factors

Grammar Patterns

it depends

it depends on + noun phrase

it depends + wh-clause

Usage Note

'It depends' and 'That depends' are fixed phrases used as short answers. Speakers often follow them with an explanation of what the deciding factor is. 'It depends on [factor]' is also very common. Note: this expression uses the simple present tense even when talking about future events.

Common Mistakes

It's depending on the weather.
It depends on the weather.
'depend' is a stative verb and rarely takes the continuous form.
Phrasal verbs

depend on / upon

phrasal verb

to need something or someone for support, survival, or to function properly

The elderly couple depend on their pension to cover rent and food each month.

Eri depends on her older sister for advice whenever she faces a difficult decision.

depend on

phrasal verb

To need someone or something for support, help, or to happen.

Children depend on their parents for food and shelter.

The success of the project depends on everyone's hard work.

depend upon

phrasal verb

Same as 'depend on', meaning to rely on someone or something.

Our plans depend upon the weather forecast for Saturday.

You can depend upon Sara to keep her promises.

Idioms

depending on

idiom

This phrase shows that something changes based on another factor.

The price of a plane ticket changes depending on the season.

Depending on the weather, we might have a picnic tomorrow.

that depends | it (all) depends

idiom

This phrase means the answer is not fixed and relies on other conditions.

Maya asked if I could help her move, and I said it depends.

Will you join us for dinner? That depends on when I finish work.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Depend on' is the most neutral and commonly used word in this family — it simply states that one thing changes based on another. 'Hinge on' adds drama and consequence: the outcome swings on a single factor, like a door on its hinge ('The whole deal hinges on the bank's decision'). 'Rest on' is slightly more formal and suggests the factor is a foundation or basis ('The argument rests on one key assumption'). 'Be determined by' is the most formal and passive; it shifts focus to causation rather than conditionality ('The winner is determined by the final round of votes'). In everyday conversation, 'depend on' is almost always the right choice.

depend on ↗hinge on ↗rest onbe determined by

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • it depends
  • that depends
  • it all depends

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Depend' comes from the Latin verb 'dēpendēre', meaning 'to hang down from'. The prefix 'dē-' means 'down from', and 'pendēre' means 'to hang'. In Latin, 'dependēre' was used literally for things hanging down (like fruit from a branch), and later figuratively for something being 'hung' on or contingent upon something else. The word entered English through French in the 1400s, and the literal meaning faded out by the 1600s, leaving only the figurative sense of 'being contingent on' that we use today.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1