dependent
dependent — adjective
1. needing another person, thing, or system in order to stay alive, carry out daily
needing another person, thing, or system in order to stay alive, carry out daily tasks, or keep working properly
After breaking his hip, Tariro was dependent on his daughter for shopping and cooking.
dependent on [someone] for [something]
Many small shops are dependent on summer tourists for most of their income.
The village is entirely dependent on the river for drinking water and farming.
Young birds stay in the nest while still dependent on their parents for food.
Elderly residents who lose their eyesight often become dependent on family members for basic care.
- reliant
similar meaning but slightly less strong; suggests choice rather than necessity
- needy
more emotional tone, often describes people who require constant attention or help
- supported by
focuses on the source of help rather than the state of needing it
- independent
not needing support from others; able to function alone
文法句型
be dependent on/upon [someone/something] for [something]
用法筆記
Frequently used with the preposition 'on' (or less commonly 'upon'). The pattern 'dependent on someone for something' is the most common structure in everyday speech and writing.
常見錯誤
2. affected or controlled by a particular factor or condition, so that the final re
affected or controlled by a particular factor or condition, so that the final result changes when that factor changes
Whether the school trip goes ahead is dependent on the weather forecast for next week.
be dependent on [condition] for decision
The amount of rent Walid pays each month is dependent on his total household income.
A plant's growth is highly dependent on how much sunlight and water it receives daily.
The success of the charity event was dependent on enough volunteers signing up beforehand.
Nora's admission to the university was dependent on achieving top marks in her final exams.
- contingent on
more formal; common in legal, academic, or official language
- conditional on
implies a clear if-then relationship between two events
- subject to
suggests that the outcome is open to change based on external approval or conditions
- independent of
not affected by another factor; true regardless of circumstances
文法句型
be dependent on/upon [factor/clause]
用法筆記
Common in explanations where one thing is a condition for another. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not imply a personal need — the subject can be an event, decision, or abstract process.
常見錯誤
3. having developed a strong physical or mental need for a substance such as a drug
having developed a strong physical or mental need for a substance such as a drug, alcohol, or medication, so that stopping its use causes serious problems
After taking painkillers for several months, Lara found she had become dependent on them.
become dependent on [medication]
The rehabilitation centre helps people who are dependent on alcohol to rebuild their lives.
Kabir's doctor warned him not to take sleeping aids in case he grew dependent.
Some patients become dependent on prescription drugs even when they follow the dosage instructions carefully.
The government funds free counselling for young people who are dependent on illegal substances.
- addicted to
stronger and more informal; implies loss of control and harmful effects
- hooked on
very informal; used in everyday conversation
- habituated to
formal, clinical term; milder than addicted, suggests regular use without compulsion
文法句型
become dependent on [substance]
dependent on [drug/alcohol/medication]
用法筆記
Often used in medical and public-health contexts. Stronger than 'reliant on' — implies a physical or psychological compulsion that makes stopping very difficult. The noun form 'dependence' is more common in clinical writing.
常見錯誤
4. in grammar, describing a group of words that is joined to a main clause and cann
in grammar, describing a group of words that is joined to a main clause and cannot form a complete sentence on its own — for example, 'although it was raining' in 'The match continued although it was raining'
Samir asked if his sentence starting with 'although' was a dependent clause.
dependent clause identified in a classroom context
In 'I called Sari because I missed her,' the second part is a dependent clause.
Students often confuse dependent clauses with complete sentences when they start writing essays.
Camila's teacher circled 'Because it was raining' and wrote 'fragment' in red pen.
The teacher asked the class to underline every dependent clause in the paragraph about climate.
- subordinate clause
the more traditional term in grammar teaching; exactly the same meaning
- embedded clause
refers specifically to a clause placed inside another clause
- independent clause
a clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence; also called a main clause
文法句型
dependent clause
dependent element
用法筆記
A technical term from grammar. Also called a 'subordinate clause'. The opposite is an 'independent clause' (or 'main clause'), which can stand alone as a complete sentence.
常見錯誤
dependent — noun
1. a person, especially a child or elderly relative, who receives money, housing, o
a person, especially a child or elderly relative, who receives money, housing, or other forms of support from another person or from the state because they cannot support themselves
Each worker can claim a tax reduction for every dependent they support financially.
claim [someone] as a dependent — tax context
The health insurance plan covers both the employee and all of their dependents.
As a single father raising two young dependents, Yasmin's cousin struggles to pay the rent.
On the immigration form, list the names and ages of any dependents travelling with you.
The government provides additional financial aid to families who have more than three dependents.
- dependant
British spelling; identical meaning
- child
narrower — only covers young people, not elderly relatives or disabled adults
- beneficiary
more formal; someone who receives benefits from a will, trust, or insurance policy
- breadwinner
the person who earns money to support the dependents
- earner
someone who brings in income rather than relying on others
文法句型
[number] + dependent(s)
claim [someone] as a dependent
用法筆記
In British English the preferred spelling is 'dependant' for the noun. The adjective form always uses 'dependent' in both varieties. Frequently appears on tax forms, insurance policies, and legal documents.