depend
gb/dɪpˈɛnd/ us/dɪpˈɛnd/
A2
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
state
1
Be affected by something else
To be changed or decided by something else.
Usage pattern:
[something] depends on [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'depend' with 'rely' without 'on'. In English, 'depend' almost always needs 'on' (e.g., 'depend on someone').
Synonyms
hinge on (Slightly more figurative but common in the same contexts.)
Antonyms
be independent of (Describes something not affected or determined by another factor.)
Collocations
depend on circumstances
|depend on weather
|depend on support
|depend on outcome
Themes
daily life
|decision-making
|cause and effect
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Success in the project will depend on teamwork.
- Whether we go hiking will depend on the weather.
- The outcome depends on how well we prepare.
- Her happiness depends on her family's health.
Learner examples
- The price depends on the size.
- My plans depend on the weather.
- The result depends on your answer.
- It depends on how much time we have.
Verb
A2
action
2
Rely for help or support
To need someone or something to live or work well.
Usage pattern:
depend on [someone/something] for [something]
Common mistake:
Some learners omit 'on', saying 'I depend my parents' instead of 'I depend on my parents'.
Synonyms
rely on (Very close in meaning, but 'rely' can feel slightly more personal or emotional.)
Antonyms
manage without (To cope without needing help or support from someone or something.)
Collocations
depend on friends
|depend on income
|depend on parents
Themes
daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Children depend on their parents for food and shelter.
- Many small businesses depend on local customers.
- She depends on her assistant to organize her schedule.
- We depend on clean water to stay healthy.
Learner examples
- I depend on my phone for work.
- Babies depend on milk.
- We depend on the bus to get to school.
- Plants depend on sunlight to grow.
Verb
A2
state
3
Be decided later by conditions
To say that you do not know yet because it will be decided by something else.
Usage pattern:
'It depends' as a short response
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes try to add an object directly after 'It depends', but English requires 'on' before the condition (e.g., 'It depends on the weather').
Synonyms
be conditional (More formal term for being based on certain conditions.)
Antonyms
be certain (Indicates something is fixed and not subject to change.)
Collocations
it all depends
|depends entirely
Themes
daily life
|conversation
|core_vocabulary
|time
Examples
- Will we win? It depends.
- Are you coming to the party? It depends on my work schedule.
- It all depends how much time we have.
- His decision depends entirely on the test results.
Learner examples
- Will you go? It depends.
- It depends on the weather.
- It depends what she says.
- It depends if I get the job.
Grammar
Dictionary form
depend
IPA
GB/dɪpˈɛnd/
US/dɪpˈɛnd/
Syllables & stress
de - pend (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pend)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: depend
- 3rd Person Singular: depends
- Present Participle: depending
- Past: depended
Word family
Forms
depends
verb
depending
verb
depended
verb
Core family
Related words
dependably
adverb
dependency
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
interdependent
adjective
interdependence
noun
Expressions
depend on
1/dɪpˈɛnd ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
Need or be affected by something
To need or be affected by someone or something for a result or support.
Examples
- Your grade will depend on how well you write the essay.
- We all depend on clean air to live.
depending on
1/dɪpˈɛndɪŋ ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
Change based on a condition
Used to say that what happens will change based on a certain thing.
Examples
- The cost will change depending on the size you choose.
- You may get a bonus depending on your performance.
it depends
1/ˈɪt dɪpˈɛndz/
fixed phrase
Not sure until later factors are known
Used to say that you are not sure yet because it will change based on something else.
Examples
- Will it rain tomorrow? It depends.
- Can you come? It depends if I finish my work.