depend on which

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "depend on which" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the particular option that needs to be selected in order to determine which course of action should be taken. For example: "The decision we make will depend on which option we choose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And it would really depend on which stage of the company's development you are in.

Forbes

That seems to depend on which Mexico one sees: the romantic, or the dismal.

The New York Times

Schedules will depend on which judges we decide to observe.

University of California, Berkeley

Doesn't it depend on which side you are looking at?

Harvard University

So it does depend on which side psychologically collapses".

The Guardian

Guatemala's future will depend on which side wins.

The Economist

It might depend on which way the flags were flying.

The New York Times - Books

The formats available depend on which mode (Timed Exposure or Continuous Clocking) is used.

Harvard University

Well, we already know that slope does not depend on which two points you pick.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

There are many areas, and it will depend on which of those areas are actually changed".

The Guardian

In particular, clusters formed depend on which images are retrieved in response to the query.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "depend on which" to highlight conditional relationships, making it clear that the result or action is contingent on a specific selection or factor.

Common error

A common mistake is using "depend on which" without clearly specifying the available options. Always ensure the choices are explicitly stated to avoid confusing the reader. For example, instead of saying, "The outcome will depend on which strategy", specify the strategies: "The outcome will depend on which strategy is chosen: A, B, or C."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depend on which" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a clause that specifies a condition upon which an outcome relies. It's used to indicate that a particular result is contingent upon a specific choice or factor. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

38%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "depend on which" is a versatile conjunction used to indicate that an outcome is conditional upon a specific choice or factor. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse fields such as news, academia, and science. Its function is to express conditionality and emphasize the factors influencing a particular outcome. While generally neutral in tone, it can also be used in formal settings. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to explicitly state the available options when using this phrase. By understanding its purpose and context, you can effectively use "depend on which" to convey precise conditional relationships in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hinge upon which

Emphasizes the critical importance of the selection, suggesting the outcome is heavily reliant on it.

rely on which

Focuses on the reliance aspect, indicating something is contingent on a specific choice.

be contingent on which

Highlights the conditional nature of the situation based on the selection.

rest on which

Implies that the outcome is supported or based on a particular choice.

be determined by which

Focuses on the act of determining the outcome based on a specific choice.

be subject to which

Indicates that the outcome is conditional or influenced by a specific choice.

turn on which

Suggests a critical moment or turning point depends on the specific selection.

be a function of which

Expresses a mathematical or logical relationship where the outcome is directly influenced by a specific choice.

be conditional on which

Directly states the conditional nature of the situation based on the selection.

be governed by which

Implies that a specific rule or principle is followed based on the selection.

FAQs

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

Use "depend on which" to show that a result or action is conditional on a specific choice. For example: "The success of the project will depend on which approach we adopt."

What are some alternatives to "depend on which"?

You can use alternatives like "hinge upon which", "rely on which", or "be contingent on which depending on the context".

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

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "depend on which" with plural subjects or "I/you", and "depends on which" with singular subjects. For example: "They depend on which method is used." vs. "It depends on which method is used."

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

"Depend on which" specifies that the outcome is conditional on a particular choice among options, while "it depends" is a more general expression indicating conditionality without specifying the options. "The decision will "depend on which" candidate is selected" is more specific than "The decision depends".