Word: depending (verb)

Associations

"Depending" is the present participle form of the verb "depend." It means to be influenced or determined by something else.

• Example 1: "The success of the project is depending on the team's effort." This means that the project's success relies on how hard the team works.
• Example 2: "I will go to the party, depending on the weather." This means that whether the person goes to the party is influenced by the weather conditions.
• Example 3: "Your grades may be depending on your attendance." This implies that the grades you receive are influenced by how often you attend class.

A synonym for "depending" is "relying." However, "relying" often suggests a stronger sense of trust or dependence, while "depending" can imply a more general influence or condition.

Substitution

You can use other words or phrases instead of "depending" based on the context:

• "Relying" - This suggests a stronger trust in something.
• "Contingent on" - This phrase means that something will happen only if another condition is met.
• "Based on" - This indicates that something is determined by certain factors.

Each substitution changes the nuance slightly, with "relying" being more personal and "contingent on" being more formal.

Deconstruction

The word "depending" comes from the root "depend," which is derived from the Latin word "dependere."

• "De-" means "down from," and "pendere" means "to hang." So, it literally suggests something that hangs down from or is influenced by something else.

Understanding this can help you visualize how one thing can be influenced by another.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a situation in your life where your decision depended on something else?
• How does the concept of "depending" change when you use it in a positive versus a negative context?
• In what ways do you think people often rely on others? Can you give an example?