depend on a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "depend on a" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating reliance on a specific thing or person. Example: "We depend on a reliable source for our information." Alternative expressions include "rely on a" and "count on a."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That may depend on a company's specific circumstances.

The Guardian

"A Hausa man will never depend on a white man.

The New York Times

Both projections depend on a host of imponderables.

The Guardian

Which proves that you cannot depend on a brand name.

The New York Times

The contributions would depend on a graduate's salary.

The Guardian

They also depend on a skilled labor force.

The New York Times - Magazine

What happens now will depend on a number of factors.

The Guardian - Opinion

That would depend on a change in the law".

The Guardian

The novel does not depend on a single mystery.

The Guardian - Books

That will depend on a number of factors.

The New York Times

That will depend on a mixture of economics and politics.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "depend on a", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being relied upon. For instance, "The project's success will depend on a skilled team" clarifies the reliance on team expertise.

Common error

Avoid using "depend on a" with overly broad or undefined subjects. Instead of saying "Success will depend on a good strategy", specify what constitutes a 'good' strategy: "Success will depend on a clearly defined marketing strategy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depend on a" functions as a verb phrase indicating reliance or contingency. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it's used to express that an outcome, condition, or action is conditional upon or relies on something else. This usage aligns with the definition of dependence, showing one thing is affected or determined by another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb phrase "depend on a" effectively conveys reliance or conditionality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, notably in News & Media and Science. While "depend on a" is versatile, it's crucial to maintain clarity by specifying what exactly is being relied upon. Alternatives like "rely on a" or "hinge on a" can offer nuanced expressions of dependence, depending on the desired emphasis. Avoiding vague subjects further enhances the precision and impact of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rely on a

This alternative conveys a similar meaning of needing something or someone for support or assistance but has a slight difference in formality.

count on a

Similar in meaning to 'rely on', indicating trust and expectation of support from something or someone.

hinge on a

This suggests that something's outcome or success is greatly affected by a specific factor.

be contingent on a

This expresses that something is conditional and relies on a specific event or circumstance.

turn on a

Similar to 'hinge on', this indicates that the result greatly depends on a particular aspect.

rest on a

This implies that something is based on or supported by a specific foundation or element.

be subject to a

Indicates that something is likely to be affected by a particular condition or requirement.

be conditional on a

Highlights the conditional nature of the dependence, specifying it relies on meeting certain conditions.

be predicated on a

Suggests that something is founded or based on a specific assumption or premise.

be determined by a

Implies that the outcome is decided or controlled by a specific factor.

FAQs

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

You can use "depend on a" to indicate reliance or contingency. For example, "The company's profits depend on a successful product launch", or "Our plans depend on a favorable weather forecast".

What's the difference between "depend on a" and "rely on a"?

While both phrases express reliance, "depend on a" often implies a greater necessity or conditionality. You can explore similar expressions such as "count on a".

What can I say instead of "depend on a"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "rely on a", "hinge on a", or "be contingent on a".

Is it correct to say "depends on a" instead of "depend on a"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "depends on a" for singular subjects (e.g., "The outcome depends on a single factor"), and "depend on a" for plural subjects (e.g., "The results depend on a variety of factors").