depended on

USAGE SUMMARY

"depended on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "depended on" to express the idea that someone or something relied on or was contingent upon something else. For example, "The success of our plan depended on everyone's cooperation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It depended on which one you asked.

The New York Times

People depended on him.

The New Yorker

Everything depended on geology.

The New Yorker

It depended on your bloodwork.

The New Yorker

"It depended on the moment.

The New York Times - Sports

"My family depended on me.

The New York Times

I totally depended on Mandy.

The New York Times

Love depended on prison.

The Guardian - Film

"Everything depended on me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Everything depended on the other person.

The New Yorker

And it all depended on him".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "depended on" to clearly indicate that one thing is reliant on another. For instance, "The project's success depended on securing funding."

Common error

Avoid using "depended on" when a weaker form of association is intended. "Related to" or "associated with" might be more appropriate if the connection isn't a direct dependency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depended on" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating that something is contingent upon or reliant on something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

24%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "depended on" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey reliance or contingency. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, and its presence across diverse sources like news outlets, scientific publications, and encyclopedias indicates its versatility. When writing, be mindful of the nuance and ensure it accurately reflects a direct dependency. Alternatives such as "relied upon" or "was contingent upon" may offer more precise meanings depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relied upon

Replaces "depended" with "relied", maintaining a formal tone.

contingent upon

Shifts the focus to conditionality, implying that something is subject to chance or certain terms.

hinged on

Emphasizes the critical importance of something, suggesting that everything turned on it.

was based on

Highlights the foundation or origin of something, implying a reliance on initial principles or data.

rested on

Implies that something was supported or sustained by something else.

subject to

Focuses on the conditionality of an event or decision.

determined by

Indicates that something was directly influenced or controlled by something else.

conditional on

Stresses the dependency based on specific conditions being met.

at the mercy of

Highlights a situation where someone or something is powerless and reliant on an external force.

governed by

Suggests that something is controlled or regulated by specific rules or factors.

FAQs

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

You can use "depended on" to show that one thing relies on another. For example, "The company's profits "depended on" strong sales during the holiday season."

What are some alternatives to saying "depended on"?

Alternatives include "relied on", "was contingent upon", or "hinged on", each carrying slightly different nuances of reliance or conditionality.

Is it correct to say "depended by" instead of "depended on"?

No, "depended by" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "depended on", which indicates reliance or contingency.

What's the difference between "depended on" and "influenced by"?

"Depended on" implies a direct reliance or necessary condition, while "influenced by" suggests a more subtle effect. For example, a plant's growth "depended on" sunlight, but was influenced by the type of soil.