mainly depends on

USAGE SUMMARY

"mainly depends on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the factor that is most significantly contributing to an outcome or result. For example, "The success of the project mainly depends on the dedication and hard work of the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The effect of polyol mainly depends on its molecular weight.

Cement and Concrete Composites

Skid resistance mainly depends on micro-texture and macrotexture.

Construction and Building Materials

This parameter mainly depends on the liquid distributor design.

Chemical Engineering Science

The release profile mainly depends on the drug release medium.

Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces

Concrete durability mainly depends on the diffusion characteristics of concrete.

Construction and Building Materials

The electrocatalytic activity mainly depends on electronic factors.

Electrochimica Acta

What happens next mainly depends on the number of seats held by each party.

The Guardian

What matters is the longer-term prospect, which in turn mainly depends on health care costs.

The New York Times

Ranching continues to be important, but the contemporary city mainly depends on a service economy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The failure mode mainly depends on the value of σ1−σ3, and the peak strength value mainly depends on the value of Δσ1−Δσ3.

International Journal of Mining Science and Technology

Biodegradability mainly depends on the chemical structure.

Chemistry Central Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Re-state the dependency using synonyms like 'primarily relies on' or 'largely hinges on' to improve readability.

Common error

Avoid using "mainly depends on" when multiple factors are equally important. Use phrases like "influenced by" or "affected by" to acknowledge other contributing elements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mainly depends on" functions as a linking phrase to establish a relationship of primary dependence. It connects a subject with the key factor influencing its state or outcome, clarifying causality. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Unknown/unmatched sources

13%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mainly depends on" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that one factor has a greater influence than others on a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted in written English. It is prevalent in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in identifying the primary influencing factor. Be mindful not to overstate dependence when other factors also play significant roles. Use alternative expressions, such as "primarily relies on" or "largely hinges on", to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily relies on

This alternative directly substitutes "depends" with "relies", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning, but emphasizes reliance.

largely hinges on

This phrase implies that something critical or pivotal "hinges" on a specific factor, adding a sense of importance.

chiefly determined by

This shifts the focus to determination, suggesting that the outcome is pre-set by a dominant factor.

is mostly contingent on

This alternative focuses on the conditional aspect of the relationship, emphasizing that the outcome is "contingent" or conditional on the specified factor.

is significantly influenced by

This expression broadens the scope to "influence", suggesting that while other factors might play a role, the listed one has a major effect.

is fundamentally based on

This highlights that something is "fundamentally based" on another thing, shifting the emphasis on the foundational nature of the relationship.

is critically dependent on

This stresses the importance of the factor as essential for the outcome, heightening the sense of necessity.

is heavily predicated on

This indicates that the outcome is "predicated" or based on a particular element, often implying a degree of risk if that element is not secure.

is substantially governed by

This focuses on governance, implying that the primary factor is in control or dictates the outcome.

is considerably shaped by

This softens the relationship, suggesting the primary factor "shapes" but may not entirely determine the outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "mainly depends on" to indicate the most important factor influencing a situation. For example, "The project's success mainly depends on effective teamwork."

What are some alternatives to "mainly depends on"?

Alternatives include "primarily relies on", "largely hinges on", or "chiefly determined by", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "mainly depends of" instead of "mainly depends on"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "mainly depends" is "on". "Mainly depends of" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "mainly depends on" and "partly depends on"?

"Mainly depends on" suggests that a single factor is the primary determinant, while "partly depends on" indicates that multiple factors contribute significantly.