it will depend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it will depend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that a decision or outcome is contingent upon certain factors or conditions. Example: "The success of the project will depend on the team's collaboration and commitment to the timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It will depend on you".

The New Yorker

It will depend on two things.

The Economist

But it will depend on the price.

The Guardian - Business

It will depend on the situation".

The New York Times

It will depend upon the business activity.

The Guardian

"It will depend on whether they improve".

The Guardian

In fact it will depend on it.

The Guardian

It will depend if we decide to be brave".

The Guardian - Sport

"But it will depend on the demand," Mr. Magnotta said.

The New York Times

"It will depend on how the Balinese react.

The New York Times

Whether they announce it will depend on negotiations.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it will depend", be specific about what factors the outcome relies on to ensure clarity for your reader. For example, instead of just saying "It will depend", say "It will depend on the weather conditions".

Common error

Avoid using "it will depend" without specifying what it depends on. Overly vague statements reduce the informative value of your writing. Always follow up with the relevant conditions or factors that influence the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it will depend" functions as a conditional indicator, signaling that a particular outcome or situation is contingent on specific factors or circumstances. This is well supported by Ludwig, which provides numerous examples where the phrase introduces conditions affecting various results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it will depend" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate conditionality. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. The phrase is best used when clearly specifying the conditions influencing the outcome. Alternatives like "it hinges on" or "it is contingent on" can be employed for variety, though "it will depend" remains a straightforward and effective choice for expressing that something is conditional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that depends

A shortened, more informal version of the original phrase.

it is conditional on

Directly states that the outcome is based on specific conditions being met.

it is contingent on

Emphasizes the conditional nature of the outcome, using more formal language.

the outcome is contingent upon

Similar to "it is contingent on" but specifies that the outcome is the subject.

it relies upon

Focuses on the reliance aspect, suggesting that one thing is necessary for another.

the result is dependent on

Expresses the dependency of the result on certain factors, with a slight shift in emphasis.

it hinges on

Uses a different verb to express the idea of something being contingent or reliant on something else.

it is determined by

Highlights the aspect of being defined or decided by particular factors.

it is subject to

Highlights that the outcome is not guaranteed and is influenced by external factors.

it is a function of

Implies a mathematical or logical relationship where the outcome changes based on input variables.

FAQs

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

Use "it will depend" to indicate that a particular outcome is contingent on certain conditions or factors. For example, "Whether we go to the beach "it will depend" on the weather."

What's the difference between "it will depend" and "it depends"?

"It depends" is a shorter, more informal version of ""it will depend"". The latter is slightly more formal and can be used when a more explicit or emphatic tone is desired.

What can I say instead of "it will depend"?

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

Is it correct to say "it will depends"?

No, "it will depends" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""it will depend"". The verb 'depend' should be in its base form after the modal verb 'will'.