# depend on sb/sth

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/depend-on-sb-sth
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

To need someone or something for help or support. It can also mean that your plans might change because of something else.

For teachers: To rely on a person or thing for support; alternately, to be conditional upon or determined by a future event or variable. This is a prepositional verb.

## Examples

- Babies depend on their parents for food.
- Whether we go for a picnic depends on the weather tomorrow.
- The success of the entire mission ultimately depends on securing the supply lines before the winter storms arrive.

## Pitfalls

- Not "It depends of the traffic." but "It depends on the traffic." — The verb 'depend' always pairs with the preposition 'on', never 'of'.

## Usage notes

- The object can be a person, a thing, or a clause starting with 'whether', 'how', etc.
- Teaching tip: Distinguish the two core meanings: 'to rely on for support' (e.g., depend on a friend) versus 'to be decided by' (e.g., it depends on the price).

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.