Depending
/dɪˈpɛndɪŋ/
verbpresent participleB1present participle
Definition
"Depending" means that one thing changes or happens because of another thing. It shows a connection where one event or condition controls or influences another. It is often used to explain that the result or situation is not fixed but can change based on something else.
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⚡ See It in Action
Showing that one thing happens only if another thing happens
- •Depending on the weather, we will have the picnic outside or inside.
- •The price changes depending on the size of the order.
- •Depending on how you feel, you can join us later.
Being influenced by or needing support from something or someone
- •She is depending on her friends to help with the move.
- •The success of the project is depending on good teamwork.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "depending" like "waiting for" or "based on," but it shows a direct connection between two things.
- ✓Picture a scale that tips one way or another depending on what you put on it.
- ✓It's the feeling when your plans change because of the weather—you do something only if the sun shines.
- ✓Sounds like "deep-END-ing" → imagine going deeper into a pool only if the water is warm enough.
- ✓Remember the phrase "It depends" that people say when the answer is not simple and changes with the situation.
- ✓NOT like "always" (something fixed or certain)—"depending" means it can be different in different cases.
- ✓NOT like "decide" (making a choice)—"depending" shows a condition or reason, not the decision itself.
- ✓NOT like "cause" (makes something happen directly)—"depending" means the result waits for something else to happen.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Based on: meaning something is decided or formed from a reason or fact (Use when explaining reasons or facts without focusing on change)
- •Relying on: meaning needing help or support from something or someone (Use when the meaning is about needing support)
- •Conditional on: meaning something happens only if a condition is true (Use in formal or technical contexts)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "de-" (from, down) + "pend" (hang) + "-ing" (present participle ending)
- •Etymology: From Latin "dependere," meaning "to hang down" or "to be controlled by"
- •Historical development: Originally meaning something hanging or attached, it evolved to mean something controlled or decided by another thing
- •Modern usage: Used to show that one thing relies on or changes with another thing, often in everyday conditions or decisions
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does the idea of "depending" help you understand situations where things can change?
•Can you think of a time when your plans were depending on something outside your control?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The success of the event is depending ___ the weather being good.
2.She is depending on her family ___ support during hard times.
3.Depending ___ the answer, we will choose a different strategy.
4.The cost of the trip changes depending ___ how many people join.
5.When you say "It depends," you mean the result is not ___ but can change.
6.Depending on the situation, you might need to ___ your plans quickly.
7.The outcome is depending ___ many small details working well together.