it depended on

USAGE SUMMARY

'it depended on' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to show that a certain situation or outcome was contingent upon something else. For example: "The success of the project depended on everyone's dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It depended on which one you asked.

The New York Times

What any one viewer saw of it depended on who made the selection.

The New York Times

It depended on your bloodwork.

The New Yorker

"It depended on the moment.

The New York Times - Sports

It depended on the biology of fat.

The New York Times

It depended on the school.

Princeton University

It depended on the direction of motion.

Yale University

It depended on which team you liked.

The Washington Post

It depended on the table you picked.

The New Yorker

It depended on when he was asked.

The New York Times - Sports

"It depended on who I was with".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it depended on", ensure that the subject it refers to is clear and unambiguous to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "it depended on" without clearly specifying what "it" refers to. Always provide sufficient context to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it depended on" functions as a transitive verbal phrase indicating that an outcome or condition was contingent upon something else. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it's used to express that various situations or results were not fixed but variable based on specific factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it depended on" is a very common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that an outcome or condition was contingent upon something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what "it" refers to and avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "it was contingent upon" or "it relied on" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was contingent upon

Replaces "depended" with "contingent", emphasizing the conditional nature of the situation.

it was conditional on

Replaces "depended" with "conditional", directly stating the dependency.

it was determined by

Directly states that the outcome was dictated by a certain factor.

it hinged on

Uses "hinged" to suggest that the outcome turned on a specific factor.

it relied on

Emphasizes reliance as the key factor for determining the outcome.

it turned on

Uses "turned" to indicate that the outcome was determined by a particular aspect.

it was subject to

Highlights the influence of external factors on the outcome.

the outcome was based on

Focuses on the outcome and its foundation on specific criteria.

the result was affected by

Highlights how external elements had consequence on something.

that was relative to

Indicates that the result was not absolute, but relative to certain conditions.

FAQs

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

Use "it depended on" to indicate that a result or outcome was conditional on something else. For example, "The success of the mission "it depended on" the weather conditions."

What's a more formal way to say "it depended on"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "it was contingent upon" or "it was conditional on". Both phrases convey a similar meaning of dependence but are more suitable for formal writing.

What can I say instead of "it depended on" to show the result was determined by something?

Alternatives include "it hinged on", "it relied on", or "it turned on". These phrases emphasize that a specific factor was crucial for the outcome.

Is there a difference between "it depended on" and "it was based on"?

While both phrases suggest a relationship, "it depended on" indicates conditionality, whereas "it was based on" suggests a foundation or reason. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.