which depends on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'which depends on' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is influenced by something else or is subject to other conditions. For example: We cannot determine the exact date of the event, which depends on how long it takes for the venue to be prepared.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Puerto Ricans are hugely dependent on the government, which depends on federal money.

The Guardian

Which depends on the extent to which one is prepared to think critically about the state.

Vice

The agreement, which depends on the Ruhrgas takeover being approved, is partly a political one.

The Economist

Steel manufacturing, which depends on high-grade coal, dried up.

The New York Times

It is something which depends on policies that encourage investment.

The Economist

In the Advancement of Learning (1605), he charted the map of knowledge: history, which depends on the human faculty of memory, poetry, which depends on imagination, and philosophy, which depends on reason.

Encyclopedia Britannica

China, which depends on Iran for oil, worries that sanctions could destabilize the international energy market.

The New York Times

Bluntly, this image could cost figure skating much of its lucrative income, which depends on credibility.

The New York Times - Sports

Challenges like this are rare in the military, which depends on obedience and hierarchy.

The New York Times

Land in Karamoja is particularly important to the community, which depends on nomadic pastoralism for survival.

The Guardian

It is a newspaper, which depends on freedom of speech for its living.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which depends on", ensure that the clause clearly specifies what factors influence the outcome or situation you are describing. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague references when using "which depends on". Always specify the influencing factors explicitly. Instead of saying 'The success, which depends on various factors, is uncertain,' specify 'The success, which depends on funding, marketing, and public interest, is uncertain'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which depends on" introduces a nonrestrictive relative clause, modifying a preceding noun or clause by providing additional, non-essential information about a condition or factor influencing it. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which depends on" is a versatile phrase used to introduce nonrestrictive relative clauses that specify the conditions influencing a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, ensure clarity by explicitly stating the influencing factors, and consider related phrases like "that relies on" or "that is contingent upon" for variety. Remember that "which depends on" adds supplementary information, while "that depends on" defines the subject being described. These guidelines will help you effectively use this phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is contingent upon

Replaces "depends" with "is contingent", emphasizing conditionality.

that relies on

Substitutes "depends" with "relies", focusing on reliance or dependence.

that is subject to

Emphasizes that something is conditional or governed by something else.

that hinges on

Implies that the outcome critically depends on a specific factor.

which is conditional on

Explicitly states the conditional nature of the relationship.

that is determined by

Indicates that something is decided or influenced by another factor.

that is predicated on

Suggests a foundational dependence or basis.

that is affected by

Highlights the influence one thing has on another.

which is governed by

Highlights that something is under control or regulated by something else.

that is a function of

Indicates a mathematical or direct relationship where one thing directly varies with another.

FAQs

How do I use "which depends on" in a sentence?

Use "which depends on" to introduce a relative clause that specifies the conditions or factors influencing a particular outcome. For example, 'The project's success, which depends on securing additional funding, is still uncertain'.

What are some alternatives to "which depends on"?

You can use alternatives like "that relies on", "that is contingent upon", or "that is subject to depending on the context".

Is it better to use "that depends on" or "which depends on"?

"Which depends on" is typically used in nonrestrictive clauses, providing additional non-essential information. "That depends on" is used in restrictive clauses, providing essential information that defines the noun it modifies. Choose based on whether the clause is essential to the sentence's meaning.

What's the difference between "which depends on" and "depending on"?

"Which depends on" introduces a relative clause, while "depending on" functions as a preposition, often starting a participial phrase. For example, "The result, which depends on several factors, is hard to predict" versus "Depending on the weather, we will go for a hike".