it can depend on

USAGE SUMMARY

"it can depend on" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it when something is contingent on certain factors. For example: "It can depend on the weather whether we can have a picnic today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Mayor Bloomberg has been lobbying for the state to take over some city services and allow the commuter tax to be reimposed, rightly arguing that to get its house in order, the city needs regular income it can depend on every year.

The New York Times

It can depend on the variety of olives used.

The New York Times

It can depend on the time of year and the type of job.

Cornell University

It's difficult to quantify stress because it can depend on what's going on in your life.

The Guardian

While it can depend on the job sector, the general rule of thumb is formal clothing.

The Guardian

But I know it can depend on a lot of factors.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

It's a nice example of how your body–how the kidney in particular senses what concentrations are present in your body and adjusts what it can depending on what you're eating in order to maintain what's important.

Yale University

But whether it actually does produce all it can depends on the other side of the economy the demand side which reflects the spending decisions of consumers and investors.

The Economist

People are always debating whether money can buy happiness, but the research is clear: it can, depending on what you spend it on.

Huffington Post

That means that the survival of an entire language and all the history it encompasses can depend on the actions of just a few individuals.

MIT Technology Review

If it fails, you can depend on it that wise heads will shake sorrowfully and declare: "It was never going to work in that format.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it can depend on", clearly state what factors influence the outcome. This makes your writing more precise and informative.

Common error

Avoid using "it can depend on" without specifying what it depends on. Saying "It can depend on various factors" is less effective than specifying those factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it can depend on" functions as a hedge, indicating that a statement is not absolute and is subject to certain conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

27%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it can depend on" is a versatile phrase used to express conditionality and uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. As evidenced by the various examples, this phrase is commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating its suitability for both general and more specialized discussions. When using this phrase, it's best practice to clearly specify the influencing factors to avoid vagueness. Consider using alternatives like "it is contingent upon" or "it hinges on" for a change in phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is dependent on

Specifies the relationship more directly.

it is contingent upon

Replaces "depend" with a more formal synonym and restructures the sentence slightly.

it's conditional on

Uses the adjective "conditional" to explicitly state the dependence.

it hinges on

Uses a different verb to indicate that something is crucial and determines the outcome.

it relies on

Indicates a reliance or need for something as a condition.

it's subject to

Implies that something is controlled or affected by something else.

it varies with

Highlights the variation or change based on something else.

it's determined by

Focuses on the cause-and-effect relationship.

it is affected by

Indicates that something is influenced by external factors.

it's a function of

More mathematically inclined way to say that something changes accordingly with other things.

FAQs

What does "it can depend on" mean?

The phrase "it can depend on" means that the outcome or result is not fixed and will vary based on certain factors or conditions. It indicates that something is contingent.

How can I use "it can depend on" in a sentence?

You can use "it can depend on" to show that a situation or result is not certain and is subject to change based on specific circumstances. For example, "Whether we go to the beach "it can depend on" the weather."

What are some alternatives to "it can depend on"?

Alternatives include "it hinges on", "it relies on", or "it is contingent upon". The best alternative will depend on the specific context.

Is "it can depends on" grammatically correct?

No, the correct phrase is "it can depend on". The verb "depend" should be in its base form after the modal verb "can".