depend mainly on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "depend mainly on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the primary factor or influence that affects a particular situation or outcome. Example: The success of this project will depend mainly on the funding we receive from our sponsors.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Finally, structures created by acid-dependent assembly of d CGG 4 also depend mainly on Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding[52].

Nanoscale Research Letters

These factors cannot be modified in the short term and depend mainly on the community in which one lives.

BMC Health Services Research

They depend mainly on rice cultivation for their livelihood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Carbon dioxide emissions depend mainly on the energy content of the coal.

The Guardian

But like most teams, the Yankees depend mainly on their pitching.

The New York Times

How green electric cars really are, then, will depend mainly on where they are driven.

The Economist

And that will depend mainly on what happens after the deal has been done.

The Economist

As for Mr. Arafat, he said, "Our relations with him depend mainly on his support for the resistance".

The New York Times

Some of the financing could come from Iraq, which will depend mainly on oil revenues for its future budgets.

The New York Times

Of 118 cities in China whose economies depend mainly on natural resources, some 30 are running out of supply.

The Economist

Instead, the stability of Mr Dzurinda's government must depend mainly on the perceived success of its pro-European policy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "depend mainly on", ensure that the context clearly establishes the primary factor influencing the situation. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the factor directly after the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "depend mainly on" when multiple factors have a nearly equal influence. In such cases, consider using phrases like "depend on several factors" or "are influenced by a range of variables".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depend mainly on" functions as a verb phrase indicating reliance or dependence. It highlights the primary factor or condition upon which something is contingent. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples showing its application across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "depend mainly on" is a versatile expression used to emphasize the primary factor influencing a particular situation. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse fields, including science, news, and encyclopedias. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: ensure that the primary influencing factor is explicitly stated. Related phrases like "rely primarily on", "hinge largely on", and "rest principally on" offer nuanced alternatives. Remember that while "depend mainly on" highlights the most important factor, it does not exclude the possibility of other contributing influences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rely primarily on

Replaces "depend" with "rely" and "mainly" with "primarily", offering a slight shift in emphasis but retaining the core meaning of primary reliance.

hinge largely on

Substitutes "depend" with "hinge" and "mainly" with "largely", suggesting that something turns or pivots based on the specified factor.

rest principally on

Replaces "depend" with "rest" and "mainly" with "principally", indicating that something is supported or based primarily on the specified factor.

be primarily determined by

Changes the structure to emphasize that something is determined by a primary factor, rather than relying on it.

be largely influenced by

Shifts the focus to influence rather than dependence, suggesting that something is shaped or affected by a major factor.

be chiefly governed by

Indicates that something is controlled or ruled primarily by the specified factor.

be substantially contingent on

Emphasizes the conditional nature of the relationship, where something is heavily dependent on a particular factor.

pivot significantly on

Suggests a turning point or critical moment that depends significantly on the specified factor.

turn critically on

Highlights the crucial role of a specific factor in determining the outcome.

rest heavily on

Focuses on the significant weight or importance of a factor in supporting or influencing something.

FAQs

How can I use "depend mainly on" in a sentence?

You can use "depend mainly on" to indicate the primary factor influencing an outcome. For example, "The success of the project will "depend mainly on" securing sufficient funding."

What are some alternatives to "depend mainly on"?

Alternatives include "rely primarily on", "hinge largely on", or "rest principally on", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "depend mainly of" instead of "depend mainly on"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "depend mainly" is "on". "Depend mainly of" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "depend mainly on" and "depend exclusively on"?

"Depend mainly on" suggests that one factor is the most important, but other factors may also contribute. "Depend exclusively on" indicates that only one factor is relevant, and no other factors play a role.