depending on which comes first

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "depending on which comes first" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to two or more events or decisions and the order in which they will take place. For example, you might say: "We'll hold the party outdoors, depending on which comes first: good weather or a date that works for everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each person was followed until 31 December, 2006, or the date of death or emigration, depending on which came first.

BMJ Open

The length of follow-up for each subject was represented by the number of days between the baseline evaluation and the date of either a suicide reattempt or the end of the follow-up period, depending on which came first.

BMC Psychiatry

Anderson will play for Lancashire in their Division One match against Durham at Southport and will be available for either the first two days or two innings, depending on which comes later.

The Guardian - Sport

Which comes first depends on whom you ask.

The New York Times - Food

So, which comes first?

The New York Times - Sports

Which comes first, self-belief or success?

The New York Times - Sports

Which comes first?

Harvard University

Follow-up time is calculated as person-year at risk beginning with the date of registered ESRD and ending at situation of death, transplantation, or diagnosis of urinary tract cancer depending on which one comes first.

BioMed Research International

And in fact, the overall system transformation will be different depending on which system came first and which system came second.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Which came first?

The New York Times

I couldn't say which came first.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "depending on which comes first" to establish a chronological order of events that determines a subsequent action or decision.

Common error

Avoid using "depending on which comes first" when the order of events does not influence the outcome or decision. Ensure a clear causal relationship between the sequence and the result.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depending on which comes first" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a condition or contingency. It sets up a scenario where the sequence of events affects the outcome. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase determines follow-up actions and follow-up time based on potential scenarios.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "depending on which comes first" serves as a versatile tool for expressing contingency based on the sequence of events. As affirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical correctness and practical usage are well-supported by examples across various domains, including News & Media and Science. When writing, ensure the order of the events influences the outcome, the phrase is appropriate for both formal and informal settings and it is used to create a clarity of the order and a cause/effect relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depending on the order of events

Focuses on the sequence of occurrences rather than a specific outcome.

depending on the timing of each

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the events.

based on the earlier of the two

Directly refers to selecting something based on what happens sooner.

whichever happens sooner dictates

Highlights the dictating factor being the earlier event.

conditional on which precedes the other

Emphasizes the conditional aspect and uses more formal language.

depending on precedence

Short and emphasizes which event takes priority

contingent upon what occurs earliest

Uses more formal and emphatic language.

subject to order of occurrence

Highlights the subjection to a specific sequence.

in accordance with the first event

Highlights that something will be made according to what happened as first event.

subject to the initial event

Highlights that the event will occurr if there is the first event.

FAQs

How do I use "depending on which comes first" in a sentence?

Use "depending on which comes first" to indicate that an action or decision is contingent on the order in which two or more events occur. For example: "We will proceed with the outdoor event, "depending on which comes first": a break in the weather or the availability of an indoor venue".

What is a simpler way to say "depending on which comes first"?

Alternatives include phrases like "whichever happens sooner", "depending on the order of events", or "subject to what occurs earliest". These options provide similar meanings with slightly varied emphasis.

Is it always necessary to specify two conditions when using "depending on which comes first"?

Yes, the phrase implies a comparison between at least two potential events or conditions. If only one condition exists, the phrase is not applicable.

How does "depending on which comes first" differ from "regardless of which comes first"?

"Depending on which comes first" implies that the order matters and affects the outcome. In contrast, "regardless of which comes first" suggests that the order is inconsequential.