your dependents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "your dependents" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to financial, legal, or insurance matters to refer to individuals who rely on someone else for financial support, such as children or other family members. Example: "When filling out your tax return, be sure to include all of your dependents to maximize your deductions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

medical conditions or disabilities (yours or your dependents').

WikiHow

They're your dependents".

The New York Times

Call a baby-sitter for your dependents.

The New York Times

And should you die, your dependents might need a variety of public assistance.

The New York Times - Magazine

Don't you think that you owe it to yourself and your dependents to take it easy?

The New Yorker

VERIFY ELIGIBILITY Before an audit strikes, make sure your dependents are indeed eligible for coverage.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Just five years ago, employers typically asked that you sign an affidavit stating that your dependent was eligible to be on your plan.

The New York Times - Health

If your engineering teams delay it, you want all your dependent schedules across all other projects to be updated automatically.

TechCrunch

If you have authorized a sub-account for your dependent, the same data with respect to your dependent may have been obtained.

BBC

Both the medical and educational exclusions are allowed without regard to the relationship so the recipient doesn't have to be a close relative or your dependent.

Forbes

Babysitting by relatives over age 19 who aren't your dependent.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial planning or insurance, clearly define who constitutes "your dependents" to avoid ambiguity. This is especially important in legal contexts where the definition can have significant implications.

Common error

Avoid using "your dependents" as a blanket term without considering the specific context. Ensure that the individuals you are referring to actually meet the criteria for dependency in that particular situation, such as legal or financial requirements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "your dependents" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the object of a preposition. It identifies individuals who rely on someone else for financial, emotional, or practical support. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "your dependents" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that refers to individuals who rely on someone else for support, typically financial. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's most frequently used in news and media, wiki, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is essential, particularly in legal and financial documents, to specify exactly who is included. While alternatives like "your family members" and "your beneficiaries" exist, they may not always be interchangeable, so choose carefully based on the context. Ensure to define "your dependents" to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

your legal dependents

Emphasizes the legal aspect of dependency, often used in official contexts.

your tax dependents

Focuses on the specific context of tax filing, referring to individuals claimed as dependents for tax purposes.

your dependents and spouse

Expands the phrase to explicitly include both dependents and a spouse, clarifying the scope.

individuals dependent on you

Rephrases the concept to emphasize the relationship of reliance, applicable in diverse situations.

your family members

A broader term encompassing all members of one's family, not necessarily financially dependent.

your beneficiaries

Refers specifically to those who will receive benefits, often in the context of insurance or inheritance.

those you support

A more general term emphasizing the act of providing support, rather than a formal relationship.

your children

Specifically refers to one's offspring, implying a relationship of dependency, but excluding other potential dependents.

those under your care

Highlights the responsibility of caregiving, applicable in various contexts beyond financial support.

your wards

Refers to individuals under one's legal guardianship, often minors or those with disabilities.

FAQs

What does "your dependents" mean in the context of health insurance?

In health insurance, "your dependents" typically refer to your spouse, children, and sometimes other family members who are eligible to be covered under your insurance plan. Eligibility criteria vary by plan and may include factors like age, student status, and residency.

How do I determine who qualifies as "your dependents" for tax purposes?

For tax purposes, a dependent must meet specific criteria related to relationship, age, residency, gross income, and support. The IRS provides detailed guidelines on who can be claimed as a dependent in Publication 501, Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information.

What are some alternatives to saying "your dependents"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "your family members", "your beneficiaries", or "those you support" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to use "dependants" instead of "dependents"?

Both spellings are valid, but "dependents" is the preferred spelling in American English, while "dependants" is more common in British English. Choose the spelling that aligns with your target audience.