What does depend mean?
Word: Depend
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Depend means to need someone or something in order to manage. It can also mean to be decided by something, as in 'it depends on the weather'.
Synonyms: count on
How do you spell depend?
Syllables: de - pend
Tricky part: The first syllable is said lightly, so it can sound like di. It is spelt de at the start.
Watch out for: dipend, deppend
Memory tip: Depend opens the same way as decide and deliver: d followed by e, never d followed by i.
Depend in a sentence
Example 1: Little puppies depend on their mother for milk.
Example 2: Our picnic plans depend on whether it rains on Sunday.
Example 3: You can depend on Kabir to bring the snacks on time.
Fun Fact
The word comes from a Latin verb meaning to hang down, so when you depend on someone, you are in a way hanging on to them.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
dep_n_
a) e, d
b) i, t
c) a, d
d) e, t
Show answer
a) e, d. The second syllable is said like the pen in pencil, and the word closes with the same letter it opens with.
Word Makeup
Choose the suffix that completes the word:
depend____
a) ible
b) eble
c) abel
d) able
Show answer
d) able. Something you can depend on is dependable; the ending is the same as in readable and washable.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word:
depend
a) rely
b) refuse
c) borrow
d) wonder
Show answer
a) rely. To depend on a friend and to rely on a friend mean the same thing.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the correctly spelt word:
a) garantee
b) recieve
c) quarell
d) depend
Show answer
d) depend. Receive puts e before i after c, quarrel has a double r and one l, and guarantee starts with gu.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. 'Whether we play cricket depends on the weather.' What could stop the game?
a) a cheering crowd
b) a sunny sky
c) a new bat
d) heavy rain
Show answer
d) heavy rain
2. Riya depends on her bicycle to get to school. What would happen if it broke?
a) She would need another way there
b) She would arrive much sooner
c) She would stay at school longer
d) She would ride it all the same
Show answer
a) She would need another way there
