i was dependent on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was dependent on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a past reliance on someone or something. Example: "During my college years, I was dependent on my parents for financial support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

(The robot has no arms, so I was dependent on their good will to push the elevator button).

The New York Times - Science

Here was someone who was totally independent, and now I was dependent on others for support.

BBC

Mr Wilde, 65, said: "I considered myself a social drinker but now realise I was dependent on alcohol.

BBC

I was dependent on my aunt for everything - there is no other way for me to get money.

BBC

I was dependent on me and me alone.

HuffPost

"I was dependent on anybody who was willing to help me, completely dependent," she said.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

where εR(i) is dependent on the objective function and objective constraints.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Under the proposed approach, the dissimilarity value of x i is dependent on the square of absolute deviation from the median, i.e., |x i  − median(x)|2.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The characteristic size of the conduit (r i or h i ) is dependent on the capillary pressure based on the Young Laplace equation (Eq. 4).

Geothermal Energy

The accumulation factor a i is dependent on the properties of both the tissue and the chemical.

Chemical Reviews

Blockage of the PI3K/Akt kinase pathway with LY294002 indicated that IGF-I is dependent on Akt activation for cell survival.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "i was dependent on", ensure that the subject you depended on is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, "I was dependent on my parents for financial support during college."

Common error

Avoid using "i was dependent on" when a weaker term like "i used" or "i often consulted" would be more appropriate. Overstating dependence can make you sound helpless or exaggerate a situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i was dependent on" functions as a statement of past reliance or need. It indicates that the speaker relied on someone or something for support, assistance, or resources. As Ludwig confirms, it is correct to use it when expressing a past reliance on someone or something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i was dependent on" is a grammatically sound and readily usable expression in English used to convey a past reliance on someone or something for support. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While not extremely frequent, it appears across diverse contexts, with the most prominent being News & Media and Science. When employing this phrase, be clear about what or whom you depended on to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "i relied on" or "i was reliant on", offering subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i relied on

Uses a different verb ("relied") to convey a similar meaning of dependence.

i was reliant on

Replaces "dependent" with the synonym "reliant".

i counted on

Highlights the trust and expectation involved in the dependence.

i needed

Emphasizes the necessity of something, implying dependence.

i required

Similar to "needed", but more formal.

i leant on

Suggests a form of support or help received.

i was being supported by

Focuses on the act of supporting in the past

i was sustained by

Focuses on how something provided continued support.

i subsisted on

Implies that something was essential for survival or existence.

i was at the mercy of

Expresses that someone or something didn't have other options.

FAQs

How can I use "i was dependent on" in a sentence?

Use "i was dependent on" to describe a past reliance on someone or something for support, help, or resources. For example, "I was dependent on my roommate for transportation when my car broke down."

What are some alternatives to "i was dependent on"?

You can use alternatives such as "i relied on", "i was reliant on", or "i needed depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "i am dependent on" instead of "i was dependent on"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but they refer to different timeframes. "I am dependent on" indicates a current state of reliance, while "i was dependent on" refers to a past state.

What's the difference between "i was dependent on" and "i relied on"?

"I relied on" (/s/i+relied+on) and "i was dependent on" have similar meanings, but "i was dependent on" implies a stronger need or a greater degree of reliance.