depending
depending — verb
- dependingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- dependings3rd person singular
- dependinging-ing form
- dependingedpast simple
1. to be decided by or change according to a particular factor, situation, or condi
to be decided by or change according to a particular factor, situation, or condition — for example, whether a trip happens depending on the weather, or the price of something depending on how it is made.
The cost of the trip varies depending on the time of year you book.
depending on + noun phrase
Depending on whether Layla passes her driving test, she may buy a car next month.
depending on + whether-clause
The restaurant menu changes depending on what produce is fresh at the market.
Whether Indra's team plays the final match is depending on the rain stopping this evening.
Depending on how much you earn this year, you may qualify for a student loan.
- hinge on
more dramatic or decisive — suggests the entire outcome rests on one factor
- be determined by
more formal and passive in structure
- be based on
suggests the result follows logically from the factor, not just variation
- be independent of
means a result stays the same regardless of the factor
文法句型
depend + on/upon + noun phrase
depend + on/upon + wh-clause
用法筆記
Often followed by 'on' or 'upon' plus a noun phrase or a wh-clause (whether, how, what). This is the most common sense across both formal and informal contexts.
常見錯誤
2. used to say that a decision has not been made yet because it will change based o
used to say that a decision has not been made yet because it will change based on a specific condition — for example, replying 'it depends' when asked if you will attend an event.
'Coming to the party?' 'It depends — I need to check my work schedule first.'
it depends as standalone reply
Asked about weekend plans, Dario said it depends on how much homework he does.
I might go to the concert, but that depends on getting a fair ticket.
'Will you take the job?' 'Not sure — it depends on the salary they offer.'
Eri has not decided about moving — she says it depends on finding the right place.
- not be settled yet
more formal and removes the personal tone of 'it depends'
- be up in the air
informal idiom meaning the outcome is uncertain
- be settled
means the decision is already made and will not change
- be final
means no further change is possible
文法句型
it depends
it depends on + noun phrase
it depends on + wh-clause
用法筆記
Very common as a short answer ('It depends.') without stating the condition immediately. The condition can be added with 'on' ('It depends on the price').
常見錯誤
3. to trust someone or something and believe that they will provide the help, suppo
to trust someone or something and believe that they will provide the help, support, or result that you need — for example, depending on a friend for emotional support, or depending on public transport to get to work.
Gabriela knows she can depend on her older brother for advice when things get difficult.
depend on + person + for + something
The whole team is depending on Aarav to finish the project before the deadline.
depending on + person + to-infinitive
Farmers in this area depend on the summer rains to water their crops.
Daniel's elderly grandmother depends on him for help with grocery shopping each week.
You can depend on Folake to tell the truth, even when the news is bad.
- distrust
the opposite of placing trust in someone
- be independent of
means you do not need someone else's support
文法句型
depend on + person/thing
depend on + person + for + noun
depend on + person + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person or group that needs support; the object ('on' phrase) names the source of that support. For this sense, the simple present ('depend on') and present participle ('depending on') are both frequent.