it depend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it depend" is not correct in English; it should be "it depends." You can use "it depends" when indicating that the outcome or answer is conditional on certain factors or circumstances.
Example: "Whether we go to the beach or not depends on the weather."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Judges, who are also supposed to supervise it, depend on its help in their investigations.

The Economist

Australia's great land mass and the distances between its main cities make it depend on air transport more than most comparable countries.

The Economist

"Today's version," he says, is that addiction is "a brain disease expressed as compulsive behavior; both its development and the recovery from it depend on the individual's behavior".

The New York Times - Arts

The politics in which Senate Bill 5 makes sense could just as soon dismantle FEMA -- send its functions to the states, privatize it, depend on private charities.

Huffington Post

Nor does it depend on how you feel about Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, its most revered practitioner.

The New York Times

Does it depend on where and when?

The Economist

Does it depend on one's situation?

The New York Times

Or does it depend what the article itself is about?

The Guardian - Opinion

"It depend also on the season," he said.

The New York Times

Does it depend on wind direction and temperature?

The New York Times - Sports

Or does it depend on who is being called names?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing conditional dependence, consider using alternatives like "it relies on", "it hinges on", or "it is contingent on" for variety.

Common error

Avoid using the base form of the verb "depend" with the singular pronoun "it". Remember that singular subjects require the third-person singular verb form, so it should always be "it depends".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it depend" functions incorrectly as a verb phrase intended to express conditional dependence. However, it fails to do so due to a grammatical error, as highlighted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it depend" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "it depends". As Ludwig AI highlights, the error stems from using the base form of the verb with the singular pronoun "it". While the intended meaning is to express conditional dependence, the grammatical mistake undermines the message. When writing or speaking, always remember to use "it depends" or consider alternatives like "it hinges on" or "it is conditional on" for clearer and more accurate communication. Despite appearing in reputable sources, the incorrect usage should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it depends

Corrects the grammatical error by using the third-person singular verb form.

it hinges on

Emphasizes the crucial factor upon which something relies.

it relies on

Highlights the dependence on a particular element for success or completion.

it is contingent on

Formal expression indicating that something is conditional on another factor.

it is subject to

Indicates that something is influenced by certain conditions.

it is determined by

Focuses on the cause-and-effect relationship where one thing dictates the outcome of another.

it is conditional on

States explicitly that a condition must be met.

it is dependent on

Highlights the reliance on another factor.

the outcome depends on

Emphasizes the result and its dependence on specific conditions.

the result is based on

Focuses on the foundational aspect of a result.

FAQs

How do I properly use the phrase "it depends" in a sentence?

Use "it depends" when the outcome or result is conditional on specific factors or circumstances. For example, "Whether we go to the park "depends on" the weather".

What are some alternatives to saying "it depends"?

You can use alternatives like "it varies", "it is conditional", or "it hinges on" depending on the context.

Is "it depend" grammatically correct?

No, "it depend" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it depends", as the singular subject "it" requires the third-person singular verb form.

What's the difference between "it depends on" and "it relies on"?

"It depends on" indicates that something is conditional and may vary. "It relies on" emphasizes that something is necessary or crucial for success or function. The distinction lies in conditionality versus necessity.