it depends on

USAGE SUMMARY

"it depends on" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It can be used when one wishes to indicate that the outcome or result of something is contingent upon unnamed or unspecified conditions or parameters. For example: "What time should we meet? It depends on how quickly we can finish our respective tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It depends on which one.

Forbes

It depends on it.

Independent

It depends on money.

Independent

It depends on inflation.

The New York Times

It depends on us".

BBC

It depends on the definition.

The Economist

It depends on the price.

The Economist

It depends on who's looking.

The New York Times

It depends on the purpose.

The New York Times

It depends on your perspective.

The New York Times - Magazine

It depends on the piece.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be specific about what the outcome "depends on". For example, instead of just saying "It depends on the situation", clarify what aspects of the situation are most relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "it depends on" as a vague placeholder. Always provide the specific factor or condition it depends on to give the reader meaningful information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it depends on" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate that a particular outcome or answer is conditional and contingent upon specific circumstances or factors. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it depends on" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that an outcome is conditional, as verified by Ludwig AI. It's commonly found in news and media, as well as in informal contexts like wikis. To use it effectively, specify what the outcome depends on to provide clarity. Related phrases include "it hinges upon" and "it is contingent on", which offer more formal alternatives. Remember to avoid vagueness by always clarifying the determining factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it hinges upon

Replaces "depends" with a more formal verb, emphasizing the critical importance of the determining factor.

it is contingent on

Uses a more formal and explicit grammatical structure to express dependence.

that is conditional upon

Highlights the conditional nature, suggesting a formal agreement or understanding.

it relies upon

Shifts focus to reliance, suggesting a necessary dependency for success or function.

it is subject to

Indicates that the outcome is controlled or influenced by the specified factor.

that is determined by

Emphasizes that the outcome is directly caused or influenced by the specified factor.

it is a function of

Presents the outcome as mathematically or logically related to the determining factor.

it is a question of

Framing the contingency as a matter to be resolved, rather than a condition to be met.

that rests on

Suggests the outcome's stability or validity is supported by the specified factor.

it's all about

Simplifies the dependency, indicating that the mentioned element is the most important factor.

FAQs

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

You can use "it depends on" to indicate that a result or outcome is conditional. For example: "Will the project succeed? "It depends on funding"."

What's a less common alternative to "it depends on"?

While "it depends on" is common, you could use more formal alternatives such as "it is contingent on" or "that is conditional upon" for a more sophisticated tone.

Is it ever incorrect to use "it depends on"?

While grammatically correct, using "it depends on" without specifying what it depends on can be vague and unhelpful. Always aim for clarity by specifying the determining factor.

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

"It depends on" suggests a condition influencing an outcome, while "it relies on" implies a necessary dependence for proper functioning. For example, "the engine relies on oil" indicates oil is essential for the engine to run.