What Does โDepend on sb sthโ Mean?
โDepend on sb sthโ means to rely on someone or something for support, help, or to be sure about a situation.
Introduction
The phrasal verb โDepend on sb sthโ is commonly used in English to show trust or reliance on a person or a thing. Understanding the Depend on sb sth meaning helps learners express situations where someone or something is necessary or trusted. This phrase is useful in everyday conversation, business, and writing. It shows connection and expectation between the subject and the object. By learning how to use โDepend on sb sth,โ you can improve your communication skills and sound more natural in English.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Depend on sb sth (depend on somebody/something)
- Type: Intransitive + preposition + object
- Level: A2 โ B2
- Short meaning: To rely or trust someone or something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โDepend onโ is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot put the object between โdependโ and โon.โ
- Correct: I depend on my friends.
- Incorrect: I depend my friends on.
Patterns:
- Subject + depend on + somebody/something
- Example: She depends on her parents for advice.
How to Use Depend on sb sth?
Use โdepend on sb sthโ when you want to say that someone or something is important for support, help, or trust. It often shows a relationship where one person or thing needs another. It can also express certainty or expectation about future events.
Examples of contexts:
- Relying on family or friends
- Trusting a product or service
- Expecting something to happen based on conditions
Examples
Here are some natural examples of Depend on sb sth in a sentence:
- I depend on my sister to help me when I am sick.
- You can depend on this company for quality products.
- We depend on the weather to decide if the event will happen.
- Students depend on their teachers to guide them.
- He depends on his car to get to work every day.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the word order or use the wrong preposition. Here are some common mistakes:
- Incorrect: I depend my parents on.
- Correct: I depend on my parents.
- Incorrect: She depends of her friends.
- Correct: She depends on her friends.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include โrely on,โ โcount on,โ and โtrust.โ They all mean to depend on someone or something but have slight differences:
- Rely on: More formal, often used for both people and things.
- Count on: Informal, often used in casual speech.
- Trust: Focuses on belief in honesty or ability.
โDepend onโ emphasizes the need or necessity for support or help.
Common Collocations
We often use โdepend onโ with people, things, or situations that provide support or certainty. Here are some common objects:
- Depend on somebody: friends, family, parents, teachers, colleagues
- Depend on something: weather, money, information, technology, schedule
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of depend on sb sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using โdepend on sb sthโ:
Anna: Can I depend on you to help with the project?
Mark: Of course! You can always depend on me.
Anna: Thanks! I really need support this time.
Practice
Complete the sentences with the correct form of โdepend onโ:
- We __________ our parents for advice.
- You can always __________ your friends when in trouble.
- The success of the event __________ the weather.
- She __________ her phone for work every day.
FAQ
- Q: Is โdepend onโ separable?
A: No, you cannot separate โdependโ and โon.โ - Q: Can โdepend onโ be used with both people and things?
A: Yes, you can depend on both people and things. - Q: What is the difference between โdepend onโ and โrely onโ?
A: โRely onโ is more formal; โdepend onโ focuses on necessity or trust. - Q: Is โdepend onโ a common phrase?
A: Yes, it is very common in everyday English. - Q: How do I use โdepend onโ in a sentence?
A: Use it as โSubject + depend on + object,โ for example, โI depend on my friends.โ
