could depend on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could depend on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is contingent or conditional upon another factor or situation. Example: "The success of the project could depend on the team's ability to collaborate effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ones they could depend on".

The New York Times

"Throughout our lives all we could depend on was each other," one young person wrote.

Vice

Ultimately, adoption could depend on coaching philosophy.

The New York Times - Sports

Their future could depend on it.

The Economist

Your marriage could depend on it.

University of California, Berkeley

People's lives could depend on it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Much could depend on the spinners today.

The Guardian - Sport

Your relative's life could depend on it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lives could depend on her work.

The Guardian - Money

Your life could depend on them.

The Washington Post

This could depend on what stage the order is at.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as 'hinge on', 'rely on', or 'be contingent upon' to avoid repetition, particularly in longer texts.

Common error

Avoid using "could depend on" without clearly stating the conditions or factors influencing the outcome. Without context, the phrase becomes vague and uninformative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could depend on" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a conditional relationship. It expresses that an outcome is contingent upon specific circumstances. Ludwig's examples illustrate how this phrase is used to show that results are not guaranteed but are influenced by other factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could depend on" is a versatile phrase used to express conditionality and uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and business communications. To enhance clarity, ensure the conditions influencing the outcome are clearly stated. While synonyms like "might rely on" and "may be contingent upon" offer variety, maintaining a clear dependent relationship in your writing is key. The phrase's widespread use in authoritative sources underscores its reliability in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might hinge upon

Replaces "depend" with "hinge", emphasizing the critical importance of the determining factor.

may be contingent upon

Formal alternative using "contingent", highlighting the conditional aspect.

might rely on

Substitutes "depend" with "rely", stressing reliance on a specific element.

could be conditional on

Emphasizes that something is conditional, adding a layer of formality.

may be subject to

Indicates that something is influenced or governed by another factor.

might be determined by

Focuses on the determining aspect of the influencing factor.

can be influenced by

Highlights the potential for influence from an external element.

may be affected by

Indicates a potential impact or alteration due to another factor.

might be a function of

More technical term, suggesting a mathematical or procedural relationship.

can be ascribed to

Suggests that the outcome is attributed to a particular cause or condition.

FAQs

How do I use "could depend on" in a sentence?

Use "could depend on" to show that an outcome is not certain and relies on specific conditions. For example, "The success of the mission "could depend on" the weather conditions."

What are some alternatives to "could depend on"?

You can use phrases like "might rely on", "may be contingent upon", or "might hinge upon" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "could depends on"?

No, the correct form is ""could depend on"". "Could" is a modal verb, and it doesn't change form based on the subject.

What's the difference between "could depend on" and "depends on"?

"Could depend on" indicates a possibility or uncertainty, while "depends on" suggests a more direct and definite relationship of reliance. For example, "The game "could depend on" the star player's performance" (if he plays well). "The score depends on the player's performance (it does change based on that player's performance)."