Use 'depending' to show that something is conditional or relies on another factor.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Means something relies on another factor.
- Often used in 'depending on' to show conditionality.
- Applies to plans, outcomes, and variables.
**Overview**
'Depending' is the present participle form of the verb 'depend'. It is frequently used in phrases to express that the outcome, nature, or existence of something is contingent upon another factor or event. It highlights a relationship of reliance or conditionality, where one element is subject to the influence or decision of another.
**Usage Patterns**
The most common usage is in the phrase 'depending on', which introduces the condition or factor that influences something else. For example, 'The success of the project is depending on securing additional funding.' It can also be used more generally to mean 'variable' or 'different', as in 'The cost varies, depending on the season.' The present participle form implies an ongoing or active state of reliance or conditionality.
**Common Contexts**
This word appears in a wide range of contexts, both formal and informal. In business, it might be used to discuss project timelines or budget allocations ('The launch date is depending on regulatory approval'). In everyday conversations, it's used to talk about plans or preferences ('We might go to the beach, depending on the weather'). In academic writing, it can be used to describe relationships between variables or factors ('The rate of reaction is depending on temperature and pressure').
**Similar Words Comparison**
While 'depending' signifies conditionality, other words express similar ideas with slightly different nuances. 'Conditional' is an adjective that directly means 'subject to one or more conditions or requirements being met.' 'Contingent' is similar to conditional but often implies a less certain or more potential dependence. 'Relies on' or 'rests on' are phrasal verbs that emphasize the act of depending. 'Subject to' is another common phrase indicating that something is influenced or controlled by something else. 'Depending' specifically highlights the active, ongoing nature of this relationship.
Exemples
The success of the event is depending on the number of attendees.
everydayEl éxito del evento depende del número de asistentes.
Whether we can afford a vacation next year is depending on our financial situation.
formalSi podremos permitirnos unas vacaciones el año que viene depende de nuestra situación financiera.
I'll probably be late, depending on traffic.
informalProbablemente llegaré tarde, dependiendo del tráfico.
The experimental results were depending on the precise calibration of the instruments.
academicLos resultados experimentales dependían de la calibración precisa de los instrumentos.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
depending on the circumstances
dependiendo de las circunstancias
depending on how you look at it
dependiendo de cómo se mire
depending on the situation
dependiendo de la situación
Souvent confondu avec
'Dependent' is an adjective meaning 'relying on or controlled by someone or something else.' For example, 'He is financially dependent on his parents.' 'Depending' is a verb form indicating the action or state of relying.
'Depends' is the third-person singular present tense of the verb 'depend.' It is used when the subject is singular and third person (he, she, it, or a singular noun). For example, 'It depends on the situation.'
Modèles grammaticaux
How to Use It
Notes d'usage
The phrase 'depending on' is extremely common and versatile. While 'depending upon' is grammatically correct, it is considered slightly more formal and less frequent in modern English. The present participle 'depending' often implies an ongoing or future condition rather than a completed action.
Erreurs courantes
A common mistake is omitting the word 'on' after 'depending', leading to incomplete or awkward sentences. For example, saying 'It's depending the weather' instead of 'It's depending on the weather.' Also, confusing the participle 'depending' with the adjective 'dependent' can lead to errors.
Tips
Clearly state your conditions
When using 'depending on', make sure the condition or factor you mention is clear to your audience.
Avoid vague dependencies
Be cautious of using 'depending' without a clear follow-up, as it can make your statement ambiguous.
Expressing flexibility
Using 'depending' is a common way in English to show flexibility and acknowledge that plans or outcomes are not fixed.
Origine du mot
The word 'depend' comes from the Latin 'dependere', meaning 'to hang down from' or 'to be suspended from'. This original sense of hanging or being supported evolved metaphorically to mean relying on or being influenced by something.
Contexte culturel
In many cultures, acknowledging that outcomes are influenced by external factors (like weather, economy, or others' decisions) is a sign of realism and humility. The use of 'depending' reflects this understanding of interconnectedness and uncertainty.
Astuce mémo
Think of 'depending' as a bridge connecting one thing to another. The bridge's strength or existence depends on what it's built upon.
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsThe base verb for 'depending' is 'depend'. 'Depending' is its present participle form.
Use 'depending on' to introduce the specific condition or factor that influences something else. It answers the question 'What does it rely on?'
While less common, 'depending' can sometimes imply variability without explicitly stating the condition, especially in informal speech. However, it's usually followed by 'on' or implies a clear, understood condition.
'Depending' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The surrounding language and sentence structure will determine the overall formality.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the word.
Our final decision will be ___ on the feedback we receive.
'Depending' is used here as part of the future continuous tense ('will be depending'), indicating an ongoing consideration of the feedback.
Choose the best option to complete the sentence.
The price of the tickets varies, ___ on the seating location.
'Depending on' is the standard idiomatic phrase to indicate that something varies based on a specific factor.
Arrange the words to form a grammatically correct sentence.
on / the / weather / depending / go / we / might / out
This sentence correctly uses 'depending on' to introduce the condition (the weather) that affects the possibility of going out.
🎉 Score : /3
Summary
Use 'depending' to show that something is conditional or relies on another factor.
- Means something relies on another factor.
- Often used in 'depending on' to show conditionality.
- Applies to plans, outcomes, and variables.
Clearly state your conditions
When using 'depending on', make sure the condition or factor you mention is clear to your audience.
Avoid vague dependencies
Be cautious of using 'depending' without a clear follow-up, as it can make your statement ambiguous.
Expressing flexibility
Using 'depending' is a common way in English to show flexibility and acknowledge that plans or outcomes are not fixed.
Exemples
4 sur 4The success of the event is depending on the number of attendees.
El éxito del evento depende del número de asistentes.
Whether we can afford a vacation next year is depending on our financial situation.
Si podremos permitirnos unas vacaciones el año que viene depende de nuestra situación financiera.
I'll probably be late, depending on traffic.
Probablemente llegaré tarde, dependiendo del tráfico.
The experimental results were depending on the precise calibration of the instruments.
Los resultados experimentales dependían de la calibración precisa de los instrumentos.
