Definition

1. Verb:
   • To rely on; to be contingent upon: To need the support, information, or existence of someone or something else. It indicates that one thing is determined or influenced by another.
   • To trust or have confidence in: To be able to place faith in someone or something.

Usage

The verb "depend" is almost always followed by the preposition "on" or "upon" (with "on" being more common in modern usage). It creates the phrasal verb "depend on/upon." - Use it to state that a situation, outcome, or action is conditional on another factor. - Use it to express reliance or trust in a person or thing.

Examples

• As a verb (reliance/contingency):

  • Whether we have a picnic depends on the weather. (The picnic is contingent on the weather conditions.)
  • The company's success depends upon its employees. (The success relies on the employees.)
  • "Can you come to the party?" – "I depend on my work schedule." (My attendance is conditional on my schedule.)

• As a verb (trust):

  • You can depend on her to keep a secret. (You can trust her to keep a secret.)
  • He is a man you can depend upon in a crisis. (He is reliable in a crisis.)

Advanced Usage

• "That depends" / "It depends": A common spoken phrase used to indicate that an answer is not fixed and varies according to circumstances.

  • "Are you going to university?" – "It depends. I need to see if I get a scholarship."
  • The answer isn't simple; that depends on your definition of success.

• "Depending on...": Used to introduce the variable condition.

  • We'll choose the restaurant depending on what everyone wants to eat.
  • The price varies, depending upon the season.

Variants and Related Words

• Dependent (adj): Relying on someone or something else; contingent.
  • The kitten is still dependent on its mother for food.
• Dependence (n): The state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something.
  • The country aims to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
• Interdependence (n): The state of being mutually reliant.
  • The global economy is characterized by interdependence.

Synonyms

• Rely on: To depend on with full trust or confidence.
• Hinge on: To be contingent on a single crucial factor.
• Be contingent upon: To be true only under certain conditions.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Depend on/upon: This is the core phrasal verb form of "depend." All standard uses involve this construction.
  • Children depend on their parents. (Rely for care)
  • Our plans depend on getting funding. (Are contingent on)

Related Idioms

• Depending on the dice: A less common idiom meaning that an outcome is uncertain, based on chance (like a roll of dice).
• (To be) a dependable person: This describes someone who is reliable and can be counted on. While "dependable" is the adjective, the idiom stems from the root verb.
  • In an emergency, you need a dependable person by your side.

Verb

1. have faith or confidence in
   • you can count on me to help you any time
   • Look to your friends for support
   • You can bet on that!
   • Depend on your family in times of crisis
2. be contingent upon (something that is elided)
   • That depends