B1 Prepositions 15 min read Easy

Depending on People and Things (Rely on)

Mastering depend on and rely on with the correct on preposition boosts your B1 fluency for expressing necessity and trust.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'on' after 'depend' and 'rely' to show that one thing is decided by or needs another.

  • Always use 'on' after depend, never 'of' or 'from'. Example: 'It depends on the weather.'
  • Use 'rely on' when you trust someone or need them for help. Example: 'I rely on my alarm.'
  • When followed by a verb, use the -ing form. Example: 'Success depends on working hard.'
Subject + 🔗 (depend/rely) + ON + 📦 (Object)

Overview

Use 'depend on' and 'rely on' to talk about help and trust.

Example: Plans depend on the weather. Use 'rely on' for trust.

Use these words to show how things work together. It helps communication.

How This Grammar Works

Use 'on' after 'depend' and 'rely'. You must use 'on'.
These words connect two things. One thing needs the other thing.
Example: Success depends on hard work. Hard work is the base.
Put a person or thing after 'on'. Use a name or '-ing' word.
A car depends on gas. People rely on the car to work.

Formation Pattern

1
Use these words in a simple way. Follow these steps for sentences.
2
Person or Thing + Word + on + Person or Thing.
3
Start with a person like 'I' or 'She'. Match the words.
4
Use 'depend' or 'rely'. Add 's' for 'he' or 'she'.
5
The word 'on' is very important. Put it before the thing.
6
This is the person or thing that provides help.
7
A thing: My mood depends on the weather.
8
Pronoun: You can rely on her.
9
An -ing word: Success depends on working hard.
10
This table shows how to use the words correctly.
11
| Person | Word One | Word Two |
12
| :------- | :--------------- | :--------------- |
13
| I | I depend on | I rely on |
14
| You | You depend on | You rely on |
15
| He/She/It | He depends on | She relies on |
16
| We | We depend on | We rely on |
17
| They | They depend on | They rely on |
18
Examples of application:
19
Our project time depends on what the client says.
20
Many students rely on phones for the internet.
21
The people asking questions need you to speak clearly.

When To Use It

These words are important. Using the right word helps people understand you.
Use depend on primarily for:
  • Conditionality or Necessity: When one thing is directly influenced by, contingent upon, or requires another for its outcome or existence.
  • The final grade depends on attendance and exam results. (Absence or poor performance impacts the outcome.)
  • Whether we go hiking depends on the weather forecast. (The activity is conditional upon favorable weather.)
  • Many small businesses depend on customer reviews for new sales. (Sales are necessary for growth, driven by reviews.)
  • Cause and Effect: To indicate that one event or state is a direct consequence of another.
  • Your understanding of the topic depends on consistent revision. (Revision is the cause, understanding the effect.)
  • The city's economy often depends heavily on tourism. (Tourism is a primary economic driver.)
  • Source of Something: Less commonly, it can refer to the origin or provision of something vital.
  • The country depends on imported oil for much of its energy. (Imported oil is the source of energy.)
Use rely on primarily for:
  • Trust and Confidence: When expressing faith in someone or something to consistently perform, provide support, or be trustworthy.
  • You can always rely on your best friend for honest advice. (You trust their judgment.)
  • Doctors often rely on nurses for critical patient information. (Doctors have confidence in nurses' observations.)
  • Modern navigation systems rely on GPS satellites for accuracy. (The systems are confident in satellite data.)
  • Assured Support or Assistance: When expecting consistent aid or performance.
  • Many charities rely on public donations to fund their work. (They expect and need donations to operate.)
  • As a team leader, I rely on my team members to complete their tasks. (I expect them to perform their duties.)
  • Consistency or Predictability: When something is expected to be stable or behave predictably.
  • The train service reliably relies on its schedule. (It is expected to run on time.)
  • I rely on this app to manage my daily tasks. (I trust its functionality to be consistent.)
Depend on is for results. Rely on is for trust. This helps you.

When Not To Use It

Using the wrong word sounds bad. Learn to choose correctly.
  • For Simple Physical Support: If the action is merely physical leaning, using depend on or rely on sounds overly formal or dramatic. Instead, use verbs like lean on, rest on, or hold onto.
  • Awkward: The old man depended on the wall to stand up.
  • Better: The old man leaned on the wall to stand up.
  • When Responsibility is the Core Meaning: If the intention is to state that someone is accountable for a task or duty, be responsible for or be in charge of are clearer.
  • Unnatural: The manager relies on ensuring project deadlines are met.
  • Natural: The manager is responsible for ensuring project deadlines are met.
  • For General Trust Without Conditionality or Need: If you simply trust someone's character without implying a specific reliance for an outcome, trust is the direct and correct verb.
  • Less precise: I depend on my new colleague. (Suggests a need, not just general trust.)
  • More precise: I trust my new colleague.
  • To Express Personal Preference or Choice: When stating what someone prefers or chooses, depend on is typically not used, unless the choice itself is contingent on something else. For example, you wouldn't say I depend on coffee for my breakfast if you just prefer it, but rather I prefer coffee for my breakfast. If the choice is contingent, then it's applicable: My breakfast choice depends on what's available.
  • When a Stronger Causal Verb Exists: Sometimes, a more direct verb better conveys a cause-and-effect relationship, particularly when discussing direct impacts or results.
  • Verbose: His health depends on his diet.
  • More concise: His diet affects his health. or His diet determines his health.
Choosing alternatives in these contexts prevents redundancy and makes your English sound more natural and less forced. Always consider the precise nuance you wish to convey.

Common Mistakes

Students make mistakes here. Knowing the mistakes helps you avoid them.
  1. 1Omitting the Preposition on: This is perhaps the most prevalent error. Both depend and rely, in these contexts, are intransitive phrasal verbs that require on to connect to their object.
  • Incorrect: I depend my parents for financial support.
  • Correct: I depend on my parents for financial support.
  • Linguistic Reason: on establishes the necessary grammatical link between the verb and its supporting entity. Without it, the verb cannot directly take the object in English.
  1. 1Using Incorrect Prepositions: Substituting of, for, or in for on is another common mistake, often influenced by patterns in a learner's first language.
  • Incorrect: It depends of the situation. / I rely for my notes.
  • Correct: It depends on the situation. / I rely on my notes.
  • Linguistic Reason: In English, on specifically denotes the basis, foundation, or condition in these phrasal verbs. Other prepositions convey different spatial or abstract relationships.
  1. 1Confusing depend on with be dependent on: While related, be dependent on (using the adjective dependent) carries a stronger implication, often suggesting a lack of self-sufficiency or an unhealthy reliance.
  • I depend on my laptop for work. (Neutral, functional necessity.)
  • He is dependent on his parents for everything. (Implies a critical, possibly unhealthy, or passive need.)
  • Linguistic Reason: The adjective form dependent often carries a connotation of being controlled by or unable to function without something, which depend on (the verb) does not always possess. The former suggests a state, the latter an action or relationship.
  1. 1Overuse and Lack of Variety: While useful, excessive reliance on depend on or rely on can make writing or speech repetitive. Varying vocabulary demonstrates greater fluency.
  • Repetitive: My decision depends on this. The outcome depends on that.
  • Better: My decision is contingent on this. The outcome is determined by that.
  • Linguistic Reason: Native speakers naturally employ a range of synonyms (e.g., trust, count on, hinge on, be contingent on, require) to express similar ideas, enriching communication.
  1. 1Incorrect Gerund Usage: While a gerund can follow on, ensuring it refers to the correct action or entity is crucial.
  • Incorrect: Success depends on your working hard. (Here, your is redundant and awkward with the gerund working acting as the object.)
  • Correct: Success depends on working hard. (The gerund working directly follows on.)
  • Linguistic Reason: The gerund itself functions as a noun, so possessive pronouns before it are often unnecessary unless specifically emphasizing the agent of the gerund's action.

Common Collocations

Some words go together naturally. Learn these pairs to speak well.
| Word | Person or Thing | How much | Example |
| :------------ | :------------------------- | :------------------------ | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| depend on | you, weather, money | a lot, only, mostly | Profit needs sales. |
| | | | Your mood changes with your sleep. |
| | | | My answer changes with your plan. |
| rely on | me, friends, colleagues, data, experts, experience, instinct, a system, technology, sources | heavily, solely, completely, absolutely, blindly, implicitly, undoubtedly | You can rely completely on her advice; she's very knowledgeable. |
| | | | Journalists often rely heavily on anonymous sources for sensitive stories. |
| | | | Many scientists rely solely on empirical evidence. |
Observations:
  • Adverbs of Degree: Adverbs like heavily, entirely, solely, and completely are frequently used with both phrasal verbs to specify the extent of the dependence or reliance. This precision helps convey the intensity of the relationship.
  • Context-Specific Nouns: Depend on often pairs with abstract concepts, external conditions, or resources (funding, weather, outcome, variables). Rely on more commonly pairs with entities that provide trust or support, whether people (friends, colleagues, experts) or reliable systems/data (technology, data).
  • Rely on with instinct: It is common to rely on one's instinct or gut feeling, indicating trust in one's intuition, a common human trait often cultivated through experience.
Use these pairs often. You will sound like a native speaker.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

English has many trust words. Count on is also important.
Let's look at depend on and rely on again.
  • Depend on: Emphasizes conditionality, necessity, or causality. One thing requires another for its outcome or existence. It's about what must be in place for something to happen.
  • Our picnic depends on the weather. (If the weather is bad, no picnic.)
  • Success in this exam depends on understanding complex theories. (Understanding is necessary for success.)
  • Rely on: Emphasizes trust, confidence, or assured support/consistency. It's about having faith in someone or something to consistently deliver or perform as expected.
  • I rely on my assistant to manage my schedule. (I trust her competence and consistency.)
  • The software relies on cloud servers for data storage. (The software is confident in the servers' availability and function.)
Rely on vs. Count on
Count on is like rely on. Use it when you are sure.
| Feature | Rely on | Count on |
| :---------------- | :------------------------------------------ | :--------------------------------------------- |
| Core Meaning | Trust, assured support, consistency | Expectation, certainty, predictability |
| Connotation | Trustworthiness, stability | Assurance of an outcome, strong expectation |
| Use for | People, systems, facts | People, events, actions |
| Examples | I rely on my experience. | I count on him to finish the report. |
| | The data relies on precise measurements. | You can count on getting a refund. |
  • While you can rely on a friend for support, count on suggests a stronger expectation of a specific action from them: I count on my friend to pick me up at the airport. This implies a firm agreement and high confidence in their follow-through.
  • Count on can also imply calculating or predicting an outcome with certainty: We're counting on the sales figures to improve next quarter.
Other Related Terms:
  • Be contingent on: Formal equivalent to depend on, emphasizing conditionality. The merger is contingent on regulatory approval.
  • Hinge on: Similar to depend on, often used for crucial points or factors that determine a whole outcome. The success of the mission hinges on this final step.
  • Trust (verb): Simpler, general belief in honesty or reliability. I trust his judgment. (No explicit need or support implied, just belief.)
Using these three words well shows you know English well.

Quick FAQ

Q1: What is the difference between these two words?
A: Depend on means you need help. Rely on means trust.
Sometimes they are the same. But the small differences help you.
Q2: Can I use depend on for people?
A: Yes. Use it when you need someone to help you.
This shows you need them. It is more than just trust.
Q3: How do I negate these phrases?
A: To say no, use do not. Example: I do not depend on money.
Q4: Can I start a sentence with Depending on?
A: Yes. It is very common. Example: Depending on traffic, we are late.
This means traffic decides what happens. Traffic is the main reason.
Q5: Is rely upon interchangeable with rely on?
'Rely upon' and 'rely on' are the same. 'Rely upon' is very formal. 'Rely on' is for everyday talking. Use 'rely on' mostly.
Can I use -ing words after 'depend on' or 'rely on'?
Yes. You can use -ing words. For example: 'Success depends on studying.' 'I rely on jogging.'
Words like 'studying' show the action you need. You trust this action.

Conjugating 'Depend On'

Subject Affirmative Negative Question
I
depend on
don't depend on
Do I depend on...?
You
depend on
don't depend on
Do you depend on...?
He/She/It
depends on
doesn't depend on
Does it depend on...?
We
depend on
don't depend on
Do we depend on...?
They
depend on
don't depend on
Do they depend on...?

Common Conversational Shortcuts

Full Phrase Short Form Context
It depends on the situation.
It depends.
General response to a question.
That depends on what you want.
Depends.
Very informal/casual.
I am relying on you.
I'm relying on you.
Standard contraction.

Meanings

To be determined or conditioned by something else, or to trust/need someone or something for support.

1

Contingency

When one event is only possible if another event happens first.

“Our trip depends on whether I get my bonus.”

“The price depends on the size of the room.”

2

Trust/Reliability

To have confidence in someone or something to perform a task.

“You can always depend on Sarah to be on time.”

“I rely on my car to get to work every day.”

3

Financial/Physical Support

To need someone or something in order to survive or function.

“Many children depend on their parents until they are 20.”

“The local economy relies on tourism.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Depending on People and Things (Rely on)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + depend(s) on + Noun
It depends on the price.
Negative
Subject + doesn't depend on + Noun
Happiness doesn't depend on money.
Question
Does + Subject + depend on + Noun?
Does it depend on the weather?
With Gerund
Verb + on + Verb-ing
I rely on getting up early.
With 'Whether'
It depends on whether + Clause
It depends on whether she says yes.
With 'How/What'
It depends on + Question Word
It depends on how much it costs.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
The event's commencement is contingent upon favorable weather conditions.

The event's commencement is contingent upon favorable weather conditions. (Planning an outdoor activity)

Neutral
The picnic depends on the weather.

The picnic depends on the weather. (Planning an outdoor activity)

Informal
It depends on the weather.

It depends on the weather. (Planning an outdoor activity)

Slang
Depends on the rain, I guess.

Depends on the rain, I guess. (Planning an outdoor activity)

The 'On' Connection

ON

Verbs

  • Depend To be decided by
  • Rely To trust/need
  • Count To expect help from

Depend vs. Rely

Depend On
Logic It depends on the math.
Conditions It depends on the time.
Rely On
Trust I rely on my best friend.
Necessity I rely on oxygen.

Choosing the Right Word

1

Is it about a condition?

YES
Use 'Depend on'
NO
Go to next step
2

Is it about trust/need?

YES
Use 'Rely on'
NO
Use 'Depend on'

Common Objects for 'On'

👥

People

  • • Parents
  • • Friends
  • • Experts
🚗

Things

  • • Technology
  • • Weather
  • • Money
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Examples by Level

1

It depends on the rain.

2

I depend on my dad.

3

Does it depend on the time?

4

It doesn't depend on me.

1

We rely on our car every day.

2

The price depends on the color.

3

I am relying on you to help me.

4

It depends on the day of the week.

1

Our future depends on making the right choice now.

2

I rely on my phone for almost everything.

3

Whether we win depends on how hard we practice.

4

He relies on his sister for emotional support.

1

The success of the project depends on everyone's cooperation.

2

You shouldn't rely on luck to pass the exam.

3

The company relies heavily on overseas sales.

4

It all depends on what the manager decides.

1

The theory depends on several unproven assumptions.

2

The elderly often rely on the state for their pension.

3

The outcome depends on the jury's interpretation of the law.

4

She relies on her intuition when making difficult decisions.

1

The stability of the bridge depends on the integrity of its pillars.

2

The narrative relies on the reader's ability to infer meaning.

3

Whether the treaty is signed depends on the resolution of the border dispute.

4

The ecosystem relies on a delicate balance between species.

Easily Confused

Depending on People and Things (Rely on) vs Depend on vs. Independent of

Learners see 'depend on' and assume 'independent' also takes 'on'.

Depending on People and Things (Rely on) vs Depend on vs. According to

Both can be used to show a relationship between two things.

Depending on People and Things (Rely on) vs Rely on vs. Trust

Learners use 'trust on' because of 'rely on'.

Common Mistakes

✗

It depends of the weather.

✓

It depends on the weather.

In English, we never use 'of' with depend.
✗

I depend from my parents.

✓

I depend on my parents.

Even though you come 'from' parents, you depend 'on' them.
✗

It depend on you.

✓

It depends on you.

Don't forget the 's' for the third person singular (it).
✗

I rely of my car.

✓

I rely on my car.

Rely follows the same 'on' rule as depend.
✗

It depends on go now.

✓

It depends on going now.

After a preposition, you must use the -ing form of a verb.
✗

I am depend on you.

✓

I depend on you.

Depend is a verb, not an adjective. You don't need 'am'.
✗

It depends on how is the weather.

✓

It depends on how the weather is.

This is an indirect question; the word order should be Subject + Verb.
✗

I rely on he to help.

✓

I rely on him to help.

Use object pronouns (him, her, them) after the preposition 'on'.
✗

It depends on if it rains.

✓

It depends on whether it rains.

While 'if' is common in speech, 'whether' is more grammatically precise after a preposition.
✗

The movie depends of a good script.

✓

The movie depends on a good script.

Even in abstract contexts, the preposition remains 'on'.
✗

The results are dependent of the sample size.

✓

The results are dependent on the sample size.

The adjective 'dependent' also takes 'on'.

Sentence Patterns

It depends on ___.

I rely on ___ to ___.

Whether we ___ depends on ___.

Success depends on ___ing ___.

Real World Usage

Texting a friend constant

Can't say yet, depends on when I finish.

Job Interview common

I rely on my organizational skills to meet deadlines.

Travel Planning very common

Our route depends on the road conditions.

Social Media Bio occasional

Relying on coffee and kindness.

Financial Advice common

Don't rely on a single source of income.

Weather Forecast very common

The flood risk depends on tonight's rainfall.

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💡

The 'Whether' Trick

If you aren't sure what to say after 'depends on', use 'whether'. It works for almost any situation with two options. 'It depends on whether it's open.'
⚠️

No 'Of' Allowed

Even if your brain wants to say 'depends of', stop! Imagine the word 'ON' written in giant letters on every door you walk through.
🎯

Adverb Power

Add 'heavily', 'entirely', or 'mostly' before 'on' to sound more fluent. 'It depends entirely on you.'
💬

The Short Answer

In English, 'It depends' is a complete sentence. You don't always need to explain what it depends on if the context is clear.

Smart Tips

Stop and visualize a person sitting ON a chair. The person depends ON the chair.

It depends of the time. → It depends on the time.

Always add -ing. Prepositions are like glue that only sticks to -ing verbs.

It depends on finish the work. → It depends on finishing the work.

Use 'rely on' instead of 'need' when talking about tools or people.

I need my team. → I rely on my team.

Start with 'That's a good question, it depends on...' to give yourself time to think.

I don't know. → It depends on a few factors.

Pronunciation

/dɪˈpendɒn/

Linking 'Depend' and 'On'

In natural speech, the 'd' at the end of 'depend' often slides into the 'o' of 'on'.

/dəˈpend/

Schwa in 'Depend'

The first 'e' in 'depend' is a weak sound, almost like 'dih-pend'.

Rising on 'Depends'

It de-PENDS? ↗

Shows uncertainty or that more information is needed.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the word 'ON' as a light switch. The light (the result) only turns 'ON' if you flip the switch (the condition).

Visual Association

Imagine a person leaning 'ON' a cane. The person is the subject, the cane is the object, and the act of leaning is 'depending'. Without the cane, the person falls.

Rhyme

Whether you're weak or whether you're strong, 'depend' and 'rely' always take 'ON'.

Story

A traveler is lost in the desert. He 'depends on' his map to find the way, and he 'relies on' his last bottle of water to survive. Both the map and the water are 'on' his mind.

Word Web

oncontingenttrustsupportwhetherconditionreliable

Challenge

Write three sentences about your morning routine using 'rely on' (e.g., 'I rely on coffee to wake up'). Then, write three sentences about your weekend plans using 'it depends on'.

Cultural Notes

In US business culture, being 'reliable' (someone you can rely on) is one of the highest compliments. It implies consistency and punctuality.

British speakers often use 'It depends' as a polite way to say 'no' or to avoid a direct answer that might be awkward.

On platforms like Patreon or YouTube, creators often say they 'rely on' their community, emphasizing a partnership rather than just a transaction.

The word 'depend' comes from the Latin 'dependere', meaning 'to hang from'.

Conversation Starters

“

What does your happiness depend on?

“

Who do you rely on when you have a problem?

“

Does your job depend on using English?

“

What technology do you rely on the most?

Journal Prompts

Describe a person you rely on. What do they do for you?
Write about your dream vacation. What does the success of the trip depend on?
Discuss the concept of independence. Do you think humans can ever truly stop depending on others?
How does the economy of your country depend on international trade?

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the missing preposition.

The success of the party depends ___ the music.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: on
Depend always takes the preposition 'on'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I rely on my phone.
Rely, like depend, requires 'on'.
Find the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

It depends of how much time we have.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: of
Change 'of' to 'on'.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Building

depends / it / on / weather / the

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It depends on the weather.
The standard order is Subject + Verb + Preposition + Object.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Are you coming to the gym? B: It depends ___ I finish my work.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: on whether
'On whether' is the most grammatically correct way to introduce a condition.
Which verb does NOT take 'on'? Grammar Sorting

Select the odd one out.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Trust
Trust is a direct verb (I trust you). The others require 'on'.
Match the verb with the correct context. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: All of the above
These are the core usage rules.
Use the correct form of the verb 'study'.

Passing the test depends on ___ every day.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: studying
After a preposition, use the gerund (-ing) form.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the missing preposition.

The success of the party depends ___ the music.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: on
Depend always takes the preposition 'on'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I rely on my phone.
Rely, like depend, requires 'on'.
Find the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

It depends of how much time we have.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: of
Change 'of' to 'on'.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Building

depends / it / on / weather / the

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It depends on the weather.
The standard order is Subject + Verb + Preposition + Object.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Are you coming to the gym? B: It depends ___ I finish my work.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: on whether
'On whether' is the most grammatically correct way to introduce a condition.
Which verb does NOT take 'on'? Grammar Sorting

Select the odd one out.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Trust
Trust is a direct verb (I trust you). The others require 'on'.
Match the verb with the correct context. Match Pairs

Match 'Depend on' and 'Rely on'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: All of the above
These are the core usage rules.
Use the correct form of the verb 'study'.

Passing the test depends on ___ every day.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: studying
After a preposition, use the gerund (-ing) form.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

13 exercises
Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

My happiness doesn't always depend ___ how much money I have.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: on
Find and fix the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

You can always rely him to be honest.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: You can always rely on him to be honest.
Which sentence is grammatically correct? Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The project's success relies on teamwork.
Translate the sentence into natural English. Translation

Translate into English: 'Ella confía mucho en sus compañeros de equipo.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["She relies heavily on her teammates.","She depends heavily on her teammates."]
Put the words in the correct order to form a sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: We often depend on the internet for information.
Match the beginning of the sentence with the correct ending. Match Pairs

Match the sentence halves:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

A healthy diet and regular exercise ___ your overall well-being.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: depend on
Identify and correct the mistake in the sentence below. Error Correction

My phone is old, so I don't really depend it anymore.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: My phone is old, so I don't really depend on it anymore.
Select the sentence that uses 'depend on' or 'rely on' correctly. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is grammatically sound?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The success of the project relies on careful planning.
Translate the phrase into English, using 'depend on' or 'rely on'. Translation

Translate into English: 'depender de la situación'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["depend on the situation","rely on the situation"]
Unscramble the words to form a coherent sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Many students depend heavily on financial aid.
Pair the verbs with the correct prepositions. Match Pairs

Match the verb to its common preposition in this context:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Choose the best verb and preposition combination. Fill in the Blank

Our company always ___ our employees' feedback for improvement.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: relies on

Score: /13

FAQ (8)

No. While some languages use 'from', English strictly uses `on`. Saying 'depends from' will sound incorrect to native speakers.

They are very similar! `Count on` is slightly more informal and usually refers to people. `Depend on` can be used for people, things, or logical conditions.

Yes, in conversation. If someone asks 'Are you going?', you can simply say `It depends.` It implies that there are conditions you haven't mentioned yet.

Both are used in speech, but `whether` is more formal and grammatically correct for writing. Example: `It depends on whether it rains.`

Absolutely. You can say `The plant depends on sunlight` or `The price depends on the market.`

Adding `heavily` means you need that thing very much. Example: `I rely heavily on my glasses` means you can't see at all without them.

Yes. The adjective form `dependent` also uses `on`. Example: `He is dependent on his inhaler.`

This is likely 'L1 interference.' If your native language (like Spanish or French) uses 'of', your brain tries to translate it directly. You must consciously practice the 'on' connection.

Scaffolded Practice

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

depender de

Preposition choice: 'de' vs 'on'.

French moderate

dépendre de

French uses 'of', English uses 'on'.

German partial

abhängen von

German uses 'from', English uses 'on'.

Japanese low

...ni yoru / ...shidai

Japanese uses post-positional particles or nouns.

Arabic high

ya'tamid 'ala

Very similar logic and preposition.

Chinese low

qu jue yu

Chinese uses a full verb phrase rather than a preposition.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Understanding 'Mean': What do you mean? (mean)
Next
Delaying Tasks: How to use 'Put off'

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