dependents
dependents — adjective
1. needing a person, an organization, or a source of money in order to live, work,
needing a person, an organization, or a source of money in order to live, work, or continue existing — for example, a child who depends on parents for food and shelter, or a project that depends on donations to keep running.
The research grant is dependent on the team submitting a progress report every six months.
dependent + on + noun phrase showing a condition
Many elderly patients are dependent on their families for daily care and support.
The local food bank is heavily dependent on donations from supermarkets and restaurants.
Young children are fully dependent on adults for food, shelter, and safety.
The success of the community garden is dependent on enough volunteers showing up each weekend.
- independent
opposite — able to function without outside support
文法句型
dependent + on/upon + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'on' or 'upon' to introduce the person or thing needed. The adverb 'heavily' is a common modifier.
常見錯誤
2. determined or affected by a particular condition, factor, or event — for example
determined or affected by a particular condition, factor, or event — for example, whether you go to the beach is dependent on the weather, or the price of a house is dependent on the local market.
Whether we go hiking tomorrow is dependent on the weather forecast.
dependent + on + noun phrase introducing a condition
The final price of the house is dependent on the results of the building inspection.
A student's grade in this course is partly dependent on class participation.
Crop harvests are highly dependent on the amount of rainfall during the growing season.
The timing of the wedding reception is dependent on when the church hall becomes available.
- contingent
more formal; used mainly in academic or legal writing
- conditional
emphasises that one thing will happen only if another thing happens first
- independent
not affected by other factors
- unconditional
not subject to any conditions
文法句型
dependent + on/upon + noun phrase
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (NEED SUPPORT): here the relationship is about conditions or factors deciding an outcome, not about a person or thing needing basic necessities.
常見錯誤
3. physically or mentally unable to stop using a drug, alcohol, or another substanc
physically or mentally unable to stop using a drug, alcohol, or another substance because the body has become used to it — for example, a patient who needs medical help to stop using sleeping pills.
After years of prescription painkiller use, the patient had become dependent on the medication.
medical context: dependent + on + [substance]
The clinic offers counseling for individuals who are dependent on alcohol or other drugs.
Some patients become dependent on sleeping pills after taking them every night for several months.
A person who is physically dependent on heroin needs medically supervised help to stop using it safely.
- addicted
stronger and more commonly used; carries a negative social judgment that 'dependent' in medical writing avoids
- habituated
very formal and rare; mainly in specialist literature
文法句型
dependent + on/upon + substance noun
用法筆記
The term 'dependent' in medical contexts is more clinical and neutral than 'addicted', which carries stronger social stigma. Both physical and psychological dependence exist.
常見錯誤
4. controlled or governed by another country or authority, with limited or no self-
controlled or governed by another country or authority, with limited or no self-rule — for example, a territory that answers to a central government on major decisions.
The island remained a dependent territory of the United Kingdom until it gained full independence in 1978.
political context: dependent territory
Many dependent regions rely on the central government for military protection and trade agreements.
The history textbook describes how various dependent colonies fought for self-government.
A dependent state may have its own local leaders but answers to a higher authority on foreign policy and defense.
- subordinate
broader — can refer to rank in an organisation or military, not just political control
- subject
historical or legal term describing people or lands under a monarch's rule
- sovereign
fully independent and self-governing
- autonomous
self-governing, though may still be part of a larger state
文法句型
dependent + noun (as modifier)
dependent + on/upon + governing authority
用法筆記
Most frequently appears in the phrase 'dependent territory' or 'dependent state' in political geography and history contexts. Less common in everyday conversation.
常見錯誤
dependents — noun
1. a person, especially a child or non-working family member, who relies on someone
a person, especially a child or non-working family member, who relies on someone else for money, housing, and other basic needs — for example, a child or elderly parent listed on a tax form.
Employees can claim extra health insurance benefits for each of their dependents.
used in official / HR contexts
The tax form asks how many dependents live in your household.
A nurse at the county hospital works two jobs to support her elderly mother and young son, both of whom are her dependents.
When applying for a student loan, you must list any dependents you are financially responsible for.
The company offers a higher salary to employees who have dependents living with them.
- dependent (singular)
the same word in singular form
- dependant (UK)
British spelling variant
- breadwinner
the person who provides financial support rather than receiving it
- earner
someone who works and earns their own income
文法句型
someone's dependents
dependents of + person
list / claim / support dependents
用法筆記
The singular form is 'dependent' (US) or 'dependant' (UK). In American English, the plural 'dependents' is very common on tax forms, insurance paperwork, and HR documents.