Depended on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Depended on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express reliance or dependence on someone or something. Example: "The success of the project depended on the team's ability to collaborate effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Depended on what day it was.

Huffington Post

It depended on which one you asked.

The New York Times

People depended on him.

The New Yorker

Everything depended on geology.

The New Yorker

It depended on your bloodwork.

The New Yorker

"It depended on the moment.

The New York Times - Sports

"My family depended on me.

The New York Times

I totally depended on Mandy.

The New York Times

Love depended on prison.

The Guardian - Film

"Everything depended on me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Everything depended on the other person.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "depended on", ensure clarity about what is relying on what. The subject should clearly indicate what is being supported or influenced.

Common error

Avoid using "depended on" in a way that obscures the active agent. For example, instead of "The decision was depended on", clarify it as "The decision depended on [specific factors]".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depended on" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, indicating reliance, contingency, or dependence. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig showcase its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "depended on" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that signifies reliance or contingency. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in various contexts. This analysis highlights that "depended on" serves to express that something is conditional or reliant on another factor, frequently appearing in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While alternatives such as "relied upon" or "hinged on" exist, "depended on" remains a straightforward and widely understood option. The examples from Ludwig confirm its consistent usage across authoritative sources, underscoring its reliability in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Depended upon

A more formal or archaic variant of the original phrase.

Relied upon

Implies a similar sense of reliance but can sometimes suggest a slightly more formal tone.

Hinged on

Indicates that something was directly contingent on a specific factor or event.

Was contingent on

Emphasizes the conditional nature of the relationship, stressing that an outcome was subject to certain circumstances.

Was predicated on

Signifies that something was based or founded on a particular assumption or condition.

Turned on

Highlights the decisive role that something played in determining an outcome.

Rested on

Suggests a foundational dependence, implying that something was built upon or supported by something else.

Was subject to

Indicates that the outcome was influenced or determined by something.

Leaned on

Suggests that someone or something drew support from another source.

Counted on

Implies an expectation or anticipation of assistance or support from someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "depended on" in a sentence?

Use "depended on" to show reliance or contingency. For instance, "The project's success "depended on" securing funding" indicates that funding was crucial for the project's success.

What are some alternatives to "depended on"?

You can use alternatives like "relied upon", "hinged on", or "was contingent on" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was depended on"?

While grammatically possible, "was depended on" is less common and can sound awkward. It's generally better to use the active voice, such as "[something] depended on [something else]", for clearer communication.

What is the difference between "depended on" and "depended upon"?

"Depended upon" is a more formal or archaic version of "depended on". In modern English, "depended on" is generally preferred for its simplicity and directness.