dependence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dependence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something. Example: "Her dependence on caffeine made it difficult for her to function without it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Departments and ministries of non-English-speaking countries are lc, eg French ministry of the interior, Iraqi foreign ministry dependant noun; dependent adjective; dependence depositary person; depository place deprecate express disapproval; depreciate reduce in value.

The Guardian

Karen Pine, professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, talks of the "Peter Pan syndrome", where young adults failed to mature financially and built up expectations of dependence.

The Guardian - Business

Nevertheless, as the Treasury Secretary reminded his rather complacent audience: 'The laws of economics have not been repealed, much less those of human psychology.' Between the lines of recent remarks by Summers and his predecessor, Robert Rubin, one detects serious concern about the US stock market, the ballooning US trade deficit and the dependence of the US economy on 'other people's money'.

The Guardian - Business

But we now know that that model produced both a universal dependence on investment banking and periodic crises.

The Guardian - Opinion

Adam Crozier, the ITV chief executive, has identified a "creative renewal" of in-house content business ITV Studios, which makes shows such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Channel 4's Come Dine With Me, as critical to delivering his five-year transformation plan and reducing the broadcaster's dependence on advertising revenue.

The Guardian

The Green new deal calls for the re-regulation of finance and taxation, linked to a transformational economic programme to substantially reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

The Guardian - Opinion

He lives alone and has been off alcohol for two weeks, although has suffered from alcohol dependence for almost 30 years and has had five visits to A&E in the past year – the most recent being for a pulmonary embolism.

The Guardian

With the business groups on board, Erdoğan has simply raised the stakes to enforce dependence: in return for lucrative public contracts, all the media moguls in Turkey have to put their outlets in the service of power.

The Guardian - Opinion

Grabar discusses the potential problems of the new network: a small projected ridership (would the proposed cable car be more popular?), low employment density along the city's coastline, administrative obstacles and weather dependence.

The Guardian

OECD analysis of the impact of alcohol abuse prevention policies in Canada, Czech Republic and Germany suggested that action could reduce rates of heavy drinking and alcohol dependence by 5% to 10%.

The Guardian

The coalition took office more than four years ago with a vow to rebalance the UK economy towards exports and manufacturing and away from its dependence on domestic spending.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing addiction or substance abuse, use the term "dependence" carefully and consider alternatives like "addiction" or "habituation" depending on the specific context.

Common error

Ensure that you use the correct preposition following "dependence". While "dependence" can stand alone, when specifying what something is dependent on, use "dependence on". For example, write "dependence on fossil fuels" not "dependence fossil fuels".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dependence" is as a noun. It refers to the state of being dependent or reliant on someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The noun "dependence" signifies the state of relying on someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse contexts. While synonyms like "reliance", "dependency", and "addiction" offer alternatives, the specific context dictates the most appropriate choice. Understanding the nuances of "dependence", particularly its appropriate prepositional usage (e.g., "dependence on"), enhances clarity and precision in writing. Its prevalence in news, business, and scientific domains underscores its versatility and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reliance

Focuses more on the act of relying on something, rather than the state of being dependent.

dependency

A more formal synonym, often used in academic or technical contexts.

reliance on

Emphasizes the action of relying on something else.

addiction

Specifically refers to a compulsive need for something, often a substance.

need for

Highlights the necessity of something.

leaning on

Suggests a more informal or supportive reliance.

inclination towards

Suggests a tendency or preference for something, rather than a strict necessity.

being beholden to

Suggests a feeling of obligation or indebtedness.

subservience to

Implies a weaker, subordinate position.

susceptibility to

Highlights a vulnerability or openness to influence.

FAQs

How can I use "dependence" in a sentence?

You can use "dependence" to describe a state of relying on someone or something. For example, "The country's "dependence on oil" has made it vulnerable to price fluctuations".

What are some synonyms for "dependence"?

Some synonyms for "dependence" include "reliance", "dependency", and "addiction". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "dependent on" or "dependence on"?

"Dependent on" is an adjective phrase meaning relying on something, while "dependence on" is a noun phrase referring to the state of relying on something. Both are correct but used differently.

What's the difference between "dependence" and "dependency"?

While often used interchangeably, "dependence" generally refers to the state of relying on something, while ""dependency"" can also refer to a dependent territory or a specific instance of reliance. The nuance varies by context.