is dependent upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"is dependent upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to rely or depend on something. Example sentence: The success of the project is dependent upon the team's dedication.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Santa Fe is dependent upon tourism.

The Washington Post

Cultivation is dependent upon canal irrigation.

Britannica

Earning a living is dependent upon securing work; and securing work is dependent upon public favor.

Cornell University

Now funding is dependent upon individual performance reviews.

Nature

Admission into the course is dependent upon available space.

Cornell University

The number of grants given is dependent upon annual funding.

Columbia University

Yet, as a gladiatorial sport, tennis is dependent upon charisma.

The Economist

"This movie is dependent upon me much more solely to tell the story.

The Guardian - Film

That activation is dependent upon what are known as "innate releasing mechanisms".

The Guardian - Opinion

Not only that, his existence is dependent upon the absence of error.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Moon finally realizes that his survival is dependent upon his rejection of his father's survivalist ideals.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is dependent upon", ensure that the relationship between the two elements is clear and direct to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "Success is dependent upon effort", be more specific: "The project's success is dependent upon the team's consistent effort and adherence to deadlines."

Common error

Avoid using "is dependent upon" in overly complex sentences where simpler alternatives like "relies on" or "hinges on" would improve clarity. Overcomplicating sentence structure can obscure the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is dependent upon" functions as a linking verb plus a prepositional phrase, indicating a relationship of reliance or conditionality between two elements. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is dependent upon" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express reliance or conditionality. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse fields. It appears frequently in contexts such as news reporting, academic research, and scientific publications, with the most authoritative sources being the Huffington Post, The Guardian, and The New York Times. While "is dependent upon" conveys a clear relationship, writers should be mindful of sentence complexity and choose simpler alternatives when appropriate. Its purpose is to establish a cause-and-effect relationship by making sure the reliance of one thing on another is highlighted for clarity and purpose. As the number of Ludwig examples confirms, it's not a rare expression at all.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is contingent on

Replaces "dependent upon" with "contingent on", suggesting conditionality.

is reliant on

Substitutes "dependent upon" with "reliant on", emphasizing reliance.

hinges on

Replaces the entire phrase with "hinges on", indicating that something crucial relies on another.

relies on

A more direct substitute, focusing on the act of reliance.

is conditional on

Emphasizes the conditional aspect of the relationship.

is subject to

Suggests that something is influenced or determined by another factor.

is determined by

Highlights that something is decided or influenced by another.

is predicated on

Indicates that something is based or founded on something else.

turns on

Similar to "hinges on", suggesting that the outcome is determined by something.

is connected to

Highlights the correlation between two elements, implying a relationship where one affects the other.

FAQs

How can I use "is dependent upon" in a sentence?

Use "is dependent upon" to show that one thing relies on or is determined by another. For example, "The quality of the harvest is dependent upon the weather conditions."

What can I say instead of "is dependent upon"?

You can use alternatives like "is contingent on", "relies on", or "hinges on" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "is dependent upon" and "depends on"?

While both phrases convey reliance, "is dependent upon" can sound more formal. "Depends on" is generally more common in everyday conversation.

When is it best to use "is dependent upon" over simpler alternatives?

Use "is dependent upon" in formal writing or when you want to emphasize the reliance of one factor on another in a clear and direct manner. In less formal contexts, simpler phrases like "depends on" may suffice.