ENGLISH
REFERENCE

it all depends

fixed phr..
A2 Elementary Oxford

fixed phr.. You say this when the answer to a question is not a simple 'yes' or 'no'. It means the outcome is affected by many different factors.

fixed phr.. A pragmatic marker used to signal that a definitive answer cannot be given because the outcome is contingent on multiple, unspecified variables.


SIMPLE

Will it be expensive? It all depends.

CONTEXTUAL

Are you coming to the party? It all depends on whether I can find a babysitter.

COMPLEX

The project's viability is not a simple matter of funding; it all depends on shifting political winds and unpredictable market dynamics.

Usage

Often used as a complete utterance or followed by 'on' to introduce the conditions.

Teaching tip

Teach this as a polite way to hedge or avoid giving a direct 'yes' or 'no' answer, often buying time to explain the complexities.

Pitfall

They all depend.It all depends.This is a fixed phrase; the pronoun is always 'it' and the verb is always 'depends'.

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