depend
- 01 A2 Elementary
to be decided or changed by something else.
to be contingent on or determined by something else. This sense is intransitive and almost always followed by the preposition 'on'.
Simple“Whether we go for a picnic will depend on the weather tomorrow.”
In context“The success of the merger will depend on how effectively the two corporate cultures can be integrated over the next fiscal year.”
UsageUsually followed by 'on' or 'upon' before a noun or a clause starting with 'whether', 'how', or 'what'.
PitfallThe price depends of the size. The price depends on the size.In English, we always use 'depend on' or 'depend upon', never 'depend of'.
Synonymshinge onbe contingent - 02 B1 Intermediate
to trust someone or something to help you or do what is needed.
to rely on or place trust in someone or something for support or success.
Simple“You can always depend on her to arrive exactly on time.”
In context“Small businesses often depend on local community support to survive during periods of economic instability.”
UsageTakes the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
to hang down from something above.
to hang down or be suspended from a point above.
Simple“A heavy gold medal depended from a silk ribbon around his neck.”
In context“The ancient chandelier depended from the vaulted ceiling by a rusted iron chain that looked ready to snap.”
Teacher's tipThis literal, physical sense is rare in modern speech; learners will mostly encounter it in 19th-century literature or technical descriptions of heraldry.
depend vs rely — Depend describes a logical or physical necessity where one thing is controlled by another, while rely emphasizes a personal sense of trust or confidence in someone's support.
Usage depend heavily · clearly depend · contribution depend
From Middle English dependen, from Old French dependre and Latin dependeō, from Latin dē- + pendeō (“to hang”). In this sense, displaced native Old English hangian (“to hang or depend”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.