be depending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be depending" is not grammatically correct and would not typically be used in written English.
It is possible that someone might use this phrase informally in spoken language, but it is not considered a proper or standard way to express this idea. Instead, the verb "depend" can be used on its own, or in a different verb tense or form such as "is depending" or "has been depending." For example: "The success of our project depends on having enough funding." "He is depending on his parents for financial support." "Having a steady job was something she had been depending on for stability." "Be depending" could potentially be used as part of a longer phrase, such as "be depending on" or "be depending upon," but it would still need to be used in the context of another verb or noun. For example: "I will be depending on you to keep me updated on the project." "She is unsure about the outcome, so she will be depending upon luck."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Eternally obligatory, it can be, depending on the year, festive or harrowing.

The New Yorker

"We shouldn't be depending on guys like Alex and Jorge to be able to score".

The New York Times - Sports

Let's consider what the consequences of Eastleigh could be, depending on which party wins.

Independent

She worked for two patients, and much of the time was elated not to be depending on government.

The New York Times

For example, reading a Kindle book can be – depending on one's preferences settings – a solitary or a communal experience.

The Guardian - Tech

And it's still two years away, which could be, depending on how the Gedes play their hand, never or forever.

The New York Times - Arts

Addressing Mr. Trimble in the hushed hall, Mr. Mandelson said the government would be depending upon his "strength and courage" in the days to come.

The New York Times

While students may not be depending on the system for their music, they have already learned to appreciate Internet access that is available anywhere, any time.

The New York Times - Tech

He said at the time that he would be depending more on Ms. Nathan as he battled prostate cancer, which had also just come to light.

The New York Times

At the same news conference, Mr. Giuliani also announced that he would be depending more on Ms. Nathan as he battled prostate cancer.

The New York Times

Brazil became her home – however eccentric, irritating, enthralling, frightening, exotic and perplexing a place it might seem to be, depending on the occasion.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use grammatically correct phrases such as "depend on", "rely on", or other suitable alternatives instead of the non-standard "be depending".

Common error

Ensure correct verb tense and form. "Be depending" is not a standard construction; replace it with phrases like "is depending", "will be depending", or simply "depend" depending on the intended meaning and tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be depending" functions as a verb phrase, intended to express reliance or contingency. However, it's grammatically non-standard, as pointed out by Ludwig AI, and requires correction to a more acceptable form like "depend on" or "is depending on".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be depending" appears across various contexts including news, science, and general web content, it is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights this, advising instead to use grammatically sound alternatives like "depend on", "rely on", or continuous forms such as "is depending". Its intended purpose is to show reliance or contingency, but its non-standard construction makes it less suitable for formal or professional communication. Always opt for grammatically correct alternatives to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depend on

Corrects the grammatical structure by using the base form of the verb.

rely on

Replaces "depend" with a synonym, maintaining a similar meaning of reliance.

count on

Emphasizes the expectation and trust in someone or something.

hinge on

Suggests that something is contingent or conditional on something else.

bank on

Informally suggests placing confidence or reliance on something.

rest on

Indicates that something is based or founded on something else.

place reliance on

Formally expresses the act of depending or relying on something.

is contingent upon

Formally expresses that something is conditional on another factor.

is conditional on

States that something is subject to certain conditions.

is subject to

Highlights that something is affected or determined by something else.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "depend" in a continuous tense?

Instead of "be depending", use "is depending", "was depending", or "will be depending" to form continuous tenses correctly. For example, "He is depending on his parents for support".

What are some alternatives to "be depending on"?

You can use alternatives like "depend on", "rely on", or "hinge on" depending on the intended meaning.

Is "be depending" grammatically correct?

No, "be depending" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use correct forms like "is depending", "will be depending", or simply "depend".

How does the meaning change when using "depend on" instead of "be depending"?

Using "depend on" or "is depending on" provides a clearer and grammatically correct expression of reliance or contingency, avoiding the ambiguity and incorrectness of "be depending".