Definition: (followed by on or upon, formerly also by of) To be contingent or conditioned; to have something as a necessary condition; to hinge on.
Alright class, settle down, let’s take a look!
Today we're tackling the word "depends," and it’s a really important one to understand. The dictionary gives us a fancy definition – “contingent or conditioned; to have something as a necessary condition; to hinge on.” Sounds complicated, doesn’t it? Let’s break that down in a way that makes sense!
Think of it like this: "Depends" means something
isn't
set in stone. It’s not always the same.
Let's say you want to go to the park –
that depends
on whether it’s raining, doesn’t it? If it's pouring, going to the park isn’t a certainty! It
hinges
on the weather.
Or, let's say your grade on a test
depends
on how much you studied. The more effort you put in, the better your chances of doing well – that’s a necessary condition for getting a good mark.
Essentially, “depends” tells us something is
linked
to another thing. It means it's not completely independent. It needs something else to happen for it to be true or possible.
So remember:
“Depends” means it rests on something else – it’s contingent!
Now, can anyone give me an example of how they use the word "depends" in their own sentence? Don't be shy - let’s hear your thoughts!