dependde‧pend /dɪˈpend/ ●●● S1 W2 verb 
‘How long are you staying?’ ‘I don’t know; it depends.’it depends who/what/how/whether etc You may take several months to reach your target weight – it depends how much you want to lose.GRAMMARPatterns with depend• You say: · The cost depends on the time of year.• You can also use the adjective dependent: · The cost is dependent on the time of year. ✗Don’t say: The cost is depend on the time of year.Using the progressive• Depend is not used in the progressive. You say: · It depends (on) what you want. ✗Don’t say: It is depending (on) what you want.• However, the present participle depending is often used: · It costs between $50 and $70, depending on what you want.Grammar guide ‒ VERBSTHESAURUSdepend on something/somebody to need something or someone in order to exist, or be healthy, successful etc: · The island’s economy depends on tourism.· The two industries depend on each other.· Many people depend on the sport for their livelihood (=they need it in order to make money to live).rely on something/somebody to depend on something or someone to do or provide what you need, especially because you have no choice: · In rural areas, many people rely on public transport.· She’d never wanted to rely on a man for money.count on something to depend on something that you expect to happen: · Their government was counting on American support.· I’m counting on getting a pay rise next year.lean on somebody to depend on someone for support and encouragement, especially at a difficult time: · We all need a good friend that we can lean on.· When her husband died, she leant on Mike for support.depend on/upon somebody/something phrasal verb1if something depends on something else, it is directly affected or decided by that thing: The length of time spent exercising depends on the sport you are training for.depend on how/what/whether etc Choosing the right bike depends on what you want to use it for.depending on something The expenses you claim can vary enormously, depending on travel distances involved.2to need the support, help, or existence of someone or something in order to exist, be healthy, be successful etc SYN rely on: The country depends heavily on its tourist trade. We depend entirely on donations from the public.depend on somebody/something for something Many women have to depend on their husbands for their state pension.depend on somebody/something to do something I’m depending on you to tell me everything.depend on somebody/something doing something We’re depending on him finishing the job by Friday.3to trust or have confidence in someone or something: You can depend on Jane – she always keeps her promises.
WORD ORIGINdepend
Origin:
1400-1500 French dépendre, from Latin pendere ‘to hang’VERB TABLE
depend
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | depend |
| he, she, it | depends | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | depended |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have depended |
| he, she, it | has depended | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had depended |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will depend |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have depended |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am depending |
| he, she, it | is depending | |
| you, we, they | are depending | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was depending |
| you, we, they | were depending | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been depending |
| he, she, it | has been depending | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been depending |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be depending |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been depending |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "Are you going to apply for that job?" "Well, it depends."
- I might not be able to go to France - it depends how much it costs.
- The amount I earn depends on the kind of work I'm doing.
- We still don't know whether we'll have to move to a new house or not - it all depends.
- Consumers may find prices higher or lower than average, depending on where they buy gas.
- It depends very much on the units you choose.
- Just how high rents will rise depends on location.
- Newco's options depend on these factors, as well as on the time available and the financial strength of the vendor.
- The appropriate steps will vary depending upon the clinical circumstances.
- The differences in opinion depend largely on where economists look for evidence.
- The length of time spent in hospital depends on the method used, but it can be as little as one day.
- What happens depends upon what both prisoners do, and neither knows what the other has done.
THESAURUS
to need something or someone in order to exist, or be healthy, successful etc: · The island’s economy depends on tourism.· The two industries depend on each other.· Many people depend on the sport for their livelihood (=they need it in order to make money to live).
to depend on something or someone to do or provide what you need, especially because you have no choice: · In rural areas, many people rely on public transport.· She’d never wanted to rely on a man for money.
to depend on something that you expect to happen: · Their government was counting on American support.· I’m counting on getting a pay rise next year.
to depend on someone for support and encouragement, especially at a difficult time: · We all need a good friend that we can lean on.· When her husband died, she leant on Mike for support.
Longman Language Activatorlooking or smelling delicious if something depends on a fact, result, decision etc, it is not fixed or decided because it will change if the fact, result, decision etc changes: it depends how/where/what etc: · I might not be able to go to France - it depends how much it costs.it depends/that depends spoken (=say this when your decision may change according to what happens): · "Are you going to apply for that job?" "Well, it depends."it all depends spoken (=say this to emphasize that you cannot be certain about something): · We still don't know whether we'll have to move to a new house or not - it all depends.depend on: · The amount I earn depends on the kind of work I'm doing.
if something is done according to particular facts, a particular situation etc, these affect the way it is done: · Telephone charges vary according to the time of day.· The students were grouped according to age and ability.
use this to say that what will happen or what you do will change according to what happens in another situation: · Inflation goes up and down depending on the state of the economy.· In many languages there are different words for "you' depending on who you are talking to.· I kept getting different answers depending on who I asked.
if the quality or nature of something is determined by other things, it depends on those things for how it is made: · The colour of the rock is determined by the type of mineral present in it.· The ultimate flavor of the cheese variety is determined by the length of time it is allowed to mature.· An individual's metabolism is generally determined by his or her genetic make-up.
if a decision, choice, or result is dictated by something, it depends very strongly on it, and leaves no choice for the people involved: · A country's choice of export products is dictated by geography, climate, and natural resources.· Any development in the city center is dictated by the city's historic preservation laws.
if one decision, situation, calculation etc is based on another, the second is the main thing upon which the first decision etc depends: · Your pension will be based on the amount that you are earning when you retire.· This year's funding for the program is based on the number of applications that we received last year.· The jury's decision must be based on the evidence heard in court.
formal to depend on something: · The speed of the plane is dependent on the efficiency of the engines.· Benefits paid will be dependent on length of service with the company.
if a result, especially an important result, hinges on or hangs on something happening, it depends on it completely: · The future prospects of a student can hinge on his or her performance in these exams.· The case hinged on whether the jury believed the defendants had planned to kill anyone when they broke into the house.
if something important such as money or success is riding on the result of something else, it depends on it : · It's really stressful when you know that your whole future may be riding on this one interview.· Boxing has become big business, with a huge amount of money riding on the outcome of a fight.
if what someone does or what happens is decided by something else, it depends on it: · The future of the school will be decided by the results of this survey. · Your choice of tool will be decided by the hardness of the wood you are working on.
to need someone or something very much to urgently need something and want it very much: · Wendell was desperate for a girlfriend, yet crippled by his fear of rejection.· A cordon of police struggled to keep back onlookers and relatives desperate for news.
if a group of people are crying out for something such as help, food, or medicine, they need it very urgently because they are facing great difficulties without it: · The country is crying out for strong leadership.· As we all know, Birmingham has been crying out for a venue for local bands for several years.
to be unable to do the things that you have to do without someone who usually helps you or without something that you usually use: · I absolutely can't do without my mobile phone.· Patrick is an excellent assistant - I couldn't do without him.
if you depend on or rely on someone or something, you need them because they provide you with something that you need: depend/rely on somebody/something: · He was growing to depend on her, he knew that.· Not surprisingly, businesses that rely on government contracts are being hit badly by the spending cuts.depend/rely on somebody to do something: · Elvin depended on her to dress him, feed him and do many other tasks.· Many plants rely on birds to distribute their seeds.depend/rely on somebody for something: · Having to depend on her father for financial support was just not worth it, Sylvia decided.depend/rely heavily on/upon (=depend/rely a lot on): · State and local governments rely heavily on sales and property taxes.
if you are dependent on or are reliant on someone or something, you need them so much that you cannot exist or continue successfully without them, because they provide you with all the most important things you need: · In those days, he was very dependent on Connie and wouldn't do anything without first consulting her.be dependent/reliant on somebody/something for something: · Many old people are dependent on government benefits for their basic survival.be heavily dependent/reliant on (=be very reliant on): · Small companies are heavily reliant on the goodwill of the banks in order to keep going.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The country depends heavily on its tourist trade.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
The country depends heavily on its tourist trade.· The report stated that some 703,000 people relied on food aid.
· Success depends on certain factors.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· The fee you pay also depends on the present condition of your teeth.· The success of e-commerce applications also depends on the variety and innovativeness of multimedia content and packaging.· All, of course, also depends greatly on your agency.· Attracting business also depends on connecting to information networks.· Your choice of exercise must also depend on your general state of health.· It also depends on the doctor's approach.· The success of any major production overhaul could also depend on the extent to which union agreement is forthcoming.· The issuing of bonds and bills will also depend on the government's monetary policy.
· Glanton's current plans for the Barnes depend entirely on a favourable judgment from the Orphans Court.· Their numbers and size depend entirely on climate, and that climate must be perfect.· Manycommunities depend entirely on glacial meltwater.· In the second class, the jurisdiction depends entirely on the character of the parties.· It will depend entirely on the subject, so be prepared to think laterally!· But the symbolic gesture is likely to be of dubious long-term value and will depend entirely on the personalities and circumstances involved.· The oasis is man-made and depends entirely on the river.
· The starting point is those aims which depend heavily on the particular contribution of DHAs.· This is a complicated process, since what is possible depends heavily on what we believe.· Rural development in the Western Isles periphery depends heavily on finance from the mainland centre.· The poetry of the first four volumes depends heavily on the simile to set the mood of the poem.· The success of such programmes depends heavily on how much part their recipients have in their design and execution.· And in return, legislators depend heavily on the mainstream media for their large-scale financial contributions and favorable press coverage.· The outcome of the interested parties' diplomatic exchanges depended heavily on the course of the fighting.
· On the degree of evaporation or reduction to which the tomatoes are subjected the flavour of the sauce very largely depends.· The identification of a metamorphic rock depends largely on recognition of foliation and other textures.· Its success depends largely on its proportions to the accompanying curtains and surroundings.· The differences in opinion depend largely on where economists look for evidence.· Entry to the course, as might be expected, depends largely on auditions.· The number of education administrators employed depends largely on State and local expenditures for education.· As to the duration of the restrictions, what constitutes a reasonable period depends largely on the nature of the business sold.· Patient outcome depends largely on the extracranial disease; the tumour seldom recurs at the site of a clean excision.
· So much depends on the size of the pet and the way you feel about it.· Much depends on what you want to do with the model.· The decision as to what is best will very much depend on timing.· Of course much depends on how the current high stakes budget negotiations play out.· She needs to have added the caution that much depends upon the reasons why people are vegetarians.· Too much depended on my response, and the possibility of being disappointed was something I did not want to face.· Again, much depends on the sensitivity and commitment of the organizations and professionals involved.· The choice of covering in fact, very much depends on the sort of style you have set yourself.
· Much depends on whether Neil Fairbrother is fit following a hamstring strain.· The great underlying trend in worker psychology is a sense that the only one you can depend on is yourself.· It all depends on how you're brought up.· The comforts of Cu Chi varied, depending on how much time one spent there.· It all depends on whether you think in human terms or in geological terms.· When just depends on how I adapt.
· However, it does depend upon previously independent farmers working together amicably over many years.· The expected revenue from this source was depended upon to help turn back the enemy.· The second one will depend upon how you answer the first.· What lasts depends upon what proves itself in the needs, tastes, and understanding of people who encounter it.· For tonight's event he'd selected William the buzzard, who could be depended upon.· It depends upon many variables such as net charge, type of buffer, time, applied potential difference, etc.· The menu will change depending upon what you click.· Where these seven industries will be located depends upon who organizes the brainpower to capture them.
· But, as every good gardener knows, healthy plant growth depends very much on the fertility and structure of the soil.· With Drepanocladus it is possible that your success as a grower will depend very much on the geographical origin of the plants.· This depends very much upon the individual, but peer-group support is often invaluable.· This will depend very much on what sort of cook you are.· The Act did not provide a clear answer to this crucial question and it depended very much on the courts.· But this depends very much on your personality.· How useful these data are in revealing anything new about human social relationships depends very much on how we interpret them.· The importance of hyperventilation depends very much on your point of view.
NOUN· Much will depend on the ability of the employer to offer you optimum conditions for job satisfaction.· Rather, they are relatively more attentive or less attentive depending on their ability to process information in a certain area.· The F-111s are ageing and their credibility as a deterrent depends upon their ability to penetrate increasingly sophisticated Soviet air defences.· The ability of the state to resolve these crises would depend on the states ability to raise revenue and mobilise public support.· However, effectiveness does depend on managers' ability to use the power they have to encourage others to join in.· The effectiveness of such a legal system depends upon its ability to express the rights, powers and interests of subordinate classes.· In this volatile atmosphere Thaksin's popularity and freedom of action will depend on his ability to achieve quick results.· The future - the very lives - of these children depend on our ability to reach them with vaccines and health education.
· On the issue of cost the answer depends very much upon how the costs are calculated.· The answer to that question depends in part on your business.· The answer depends upon the precise nature of price rigidity.· The answer depends on the circumstances.· Here, the answer depends upon whether those unresolved arguments could have been determined otherwise.· A.. The answer depends on whether you plan to draw on this money to supplement your retirement income.· The answer depends in part on arithmetic, and on how far short the Conservatives are of the 326 seats needed.· The answer depends on whether the publication is sponsored by the school as part of the curriculum.
· Whether or not the employer should pay the excess for a more expensive substitution depends on the circumstances of the case.· The appropriate steps will vary depending upon the clinical circumstances.· The extent to which we commend some one for operating a complex piece of equipment depends on the circumstances.· The answer depends on the circumstances.· Each case must, of course, depend on its circumstances.· Each one, depending on his circumstances at the moment, feels and names the fears that beset him.· Each case depended upon its own circumstances.· This would depend on the circumstances.
· Rank-this depends on the degree of metamorphism.· They even went beyond the photogram which, though made without the camera, still depended on a degree of photographic manipulation.· The breeding season lasts from late spring until late summer, depending to some degree upon temperature.· The risks of these complications depend, to some degree, on whether the condition is primary or secondary.· The creation of meaning depends on the degree of match between the language available and the intention of the user.· The other subjects taken depend upon the degree course chosen.· The answer depends, to some degree, on the effectiveness of those who have been active in the intervening years.
· The frequency of this monitoring will depend upon the extent and type of surgery.· The degree to which women take power seems to depend on the extent to which the men are absent.· The success of any major production overhaul could also depend on the extent to which union agreement is forthcoming.· The operating system of choice will depend to some extent on which transport highway consumers ride and the user interface they prefer.· The kind of protection that you may require depends to some extent on the status of your employer.· But it all depends on the extent of the injury.· It depends on the extent of the fantasy.· The particular strategy appropriate to the organisation will depend to a large extent on the political and financial circumstances of the organisation.
· This will depend on the facts of the case and the words used.· That depends on the facts of the particular situation.· The interpretation depends on the fact that trusts could be set up without addressing the trustee directly.· Answering the second should depend on knowable facts.· Each case will depend on its own facts.· It depends on the fact that standard effects are events which in the most fundamental sense can be explained.
· The method used for this process will depend on several factors, mainly the number of copies, the quality and cost.· The fates of these leagues largely will depend on those factors.· A A separate Measure makes financial provision for them, which depends on factors such as age and length of service.· For example, Texas now gives welfare beneficiaries one to three years to find employment, depending on such factors as education.· The Blazers' depend on the knucklehead factor.· How far they progress depends on many factors, but they will not progress unless given a chance.· This load depends on factors such as where the connection is in the building.
· Llanthony Priory's future could now depend on the new National Lottery.· The organizations of the future will increasingly depend on the creativity of their members to survive.· But our future as a business depends on us playing a full role in privatisation in whatever form that takes.· Our financial future depends on it!· Britain's industrial future depends on transforming our inventive genius into manufacturing strength.· When finished, I cleaned them as if the future of world hygiene depended upon my attention.· Now we see similar signs elsewhere around the world, and the future of our fisheries depends upon conservation.· Its future will necessarily depend on both suppliers and purchasers.
· So much can depend on the kind of expectation on which an arrangement is entered upon.· Your megabytes will vary, depending on the kind of files you have on your hard drive.· The optimal size of the local authority depends on the kind of public good under consideration.· Everything depended on what kind of man the detective would be.· A lot depends on what kind of occasion it is.· How you pay for your holiday shopping depends on the kind of consumer you are, said Hernandez.· Does it depend on what kind of conversation is in progress?· The issue of physical computability depends partly on what kind of question we are proposing to ask of the system.
· Not unnaturally, the amount of statutory health and social services which individuals receive depends inpart on the level of their need.· The answer depends on which level of court has jurisdiction, or authority to consider the dispute.· For most pensioners their income excludes any social involvement which depends upon a significant level of expenditure. 4.· Overall processing severity depends on the level of halogenated pollutants present in the waste oil.· Advantages of fructosamine are that it does not depend on the haemoglobin level and it will probably be considerably cheaper.· Cost of membership and instruction range from $ 100 to $ 250, depending on initial skill level.· Much depends upon the general level of employment.· In the former the outcome will depend on the level of sales actually achieved.
· The highest reaches of love and life depend on trust.· After all, his life might depend on it.· Our quality of life depends on the quality of our leaders.· Giving life to that idea depends on every one of us.· Clearly, the life of the forest depends on its fallen trees.· Our business and personal lives depend upon being able to use words successfully.· Their epistemic competence in multiple forms of life depends on the specific marginal discourses at their disposal owing to their specific background.
· There are different forms of the request available from the county court depending upon the nature of the action.· Chimps go from small feeding bands to big groups depending on the nature of the food supply.· The answer depends upon the precise nature of price rigidity.· As to the duration of the restrictions, what constitutes a reasonable period depends largely on the nature of the business sold.· The amount of encoding in a header will depend both on the nature and the intended use of the text.· The kind of institution that can best provide the protection depends on the nature of the transaction, an issue discussed later.· Who has such authority will depend on the nature of the particular business and the way in which it is organised.· Whether such conditions exist depends largely on the nature of the soil.
· The owner of chains of tobacconists, newsagents and convenience stores, its success depends on large numbers of small purchases.· The size and length of an irrigation ditch depend critically on the number of people who use it.· This depends on a huge number of different receptor proteins, each tuned to a different sort of chemical stimulus.· Our example depends on a number of simplifying assumptions.· A reputation for being exclusive is not very useful in a market where success depends on recruiting large numbers.· Which buyouts are cost-effective to each agency depends on a number of factors, but primarily on the employees salary.· This period will vary depending upon the number of redundancies.· Sometimes we are able to rest a little, but it depends on the number of patients on a given day.
· The real length of time will depend on the size and ripeness of the fruit.· Smaller cars were not affected, with the tax remaining 20 percent to 35 percent, depending on the size.· It is assumed that these are linked not to profit maximisation, but depend on the size of the enterprise.· Brokerages charge commissions from $ 25 to hundreds of dollars, depending on the size of the transaction.· The amount of chocolate needed depends on the size of the moulds you use, and larger moulds need thicker chocolate cases.· Advancement opportunities for construction managers vary depending upon the size and type of company for which one works.· So much depends on the size of the pet and the way you feel about it.· Much depends on the exact size, energy, and location of the impactor.
· Upon its success might depend the entire future of the company.· It was a risk for Invisible Theatre to choose a work whose success depends on the skill of teenaged actors.· The success of such programmes depends heavily on how much part their recipients have in their design and execution.· The success of these programs depends on a reliable handpump.· But despite the success each battle is a David and Goliath affair and success depends upon the work of a few dedicated people.· Saving and investing success depend on time.· The success of the system depends on the student.· It recently released a list of conditions upon which the round's success depends.
· In essence, formal systems and procedures depend on local knowledge.· However, the actual policy process in a cabinet system depends on whether there is a coherent majority group in the legislature.· But even Labour v Tories is better than a party-political system which depends on religion, and an accident of birth.· The organization is the framework on which the entire management system depends for efficient operation.· The success of the system depends essentially on the segregation of waste paper for separate collection.· So if your system depends on such centralization, commitment is sure to be a casualty.· The complexity of the system depends on the number of permutations of hose length available.· The operation of point-factor systems depends upon the existence of detailed job descriptions.
· This device will depend on the type of Internet account.· Job duties vary widely depending upon the type and size of the project.· The nature of the legal requirement depends upon the type of organisation it is.· Prices range from $ 10 to $ 30 depending on the type and model.· The busiest time and peak hours of the reception office will depend on the type of hotel.· It all depends on the type of channel involved.· Each B-cell makes its own specific antibody, depending on the type of intruder to which it is responding.· To some extent that depends on the types of taxes and expenditures that are used to limit income differences.
VERB· The number of dates also varies, depending on how busy the track is.· The comforts of Cu Chi varied, depending on how much time one spent there.· Overall the effects of caring obviously vary considerably depending upon the relationship and residential relationship of carer and dependant.· Your megabytes will vary, depending on the kind of files you have on your hard drive.· As the name suggests, the amount you pay varies depending on the movement in interest rates.· Advancement opportunities for construction managers vary depending upon the size and type of company for which one works.· The calculation will, of course, vary, depending upon the plaintiff's circumstances and the nature of the new accommodation.· Use fees will vary depending on the facility.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
- And one that depends on government policies.
- At these outside shows it depends on the weather.
- But second, it depends on what our selective-attention circuits select from all the sensations.
- However, that depends on a future legal decision.
- The arbitrator's decision is also meant to replace the reasons on which it depends.
- Well, that depends whether you'd rather shield them from such things or prepare them for it.
- Whether they make it depends on how long it takes them to realize and step back.
WORD FAMILYnoundependantdependence ≠ independencedependencyadjectivedependabledependent ≠ independentadverbdependablyindependentlyverbdepend
it/that depends spoken used to say that you cannot give a definite answer to something because your answer will be affected by something else: ‘How long are you staying?’ ‘I don’t know; it depends.’it depends who/what/how/whether etc You may take several months to reach your target weight – it depends how much you want to lose.GRAMMARPatterns with depend• You say: · The cost depends on the time of year.• You can also use the adjective dependent: · The cost is dependent on the time of year. ✗Don’t say: The cost is depend on the time of year.Using the progressive• Depend is not used in the progressive. You say: · It depends (on) what you want. ✗Don’t say: It is depending (on) what you want.• However, the present participle depending is often used: · It costs between $50 and $70, depending on what you want.Grammar guide ‒ VERBSTHESAURUSdepend on something/somebody to need something or someone in order to exist, or be healthy, successful etc: · The island’s economy depends on tourism.· The two industries depend on each other.· Many people depend on the sport for their livelihood (=they need it in order to make money to live).rely on something/somebody to depend on something or someone to do or provide what you need, especially because you have no choice: · In rural areas, many people rely on public transport.· She’d never wanted to rely on a man for money.count on something to depend on something that you expect to happen: · Their government was counting on American support.· I’m counting on getting a pay rise next year.lean on somebody to depend on someone for support and encouragement, especially at a difficult time: · We all need a good friend that we can lean on.· When her husband died, she leant on Mike for support.depend on/upon somebody/something phrasal verb1if something depends on something else, it is directly affected or decided by that thing: The length of time spent exercising depends on the sport you are training for.depend on how/what/whether etc Choosing the right bike depends on what you want to use it for.depending on something The expenses you claim can vary enormously, depending on travel distances involved.2to need the support, help, or existence of someone or something in order to exist, be healthy, be successful etc SYN rely on: The country depends heavily on its tourist trade. We depend entirely on donations from the public.depend on somebody/something for something Many women have to depend on their husbands for their state pension.depend on somebody/something to do something I’m depending on you to tell me everything.depend on somebody/something doing something We’re depending on him finishing the job by Friday.3to trust or have confidence in someone or something: You can depend on Jane – she always keeps her promises.