Cool MateDependence vs Trusts
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Dependence
Top 3,000 (common)C1noun
Trusts
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Trusts
| Dependence | Trusts | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈpendəns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈpendəns/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //trʌsts//🇺🇸 //trʌsts// |
| Meaning | When someone needs something or someone else to function or be okay. | Beliefs about the honesty or reliability of someone or something. |
| Example | Her financial dependence on her parents made her reluctant to move out. | She has always placed her trust in her best friend. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | great, heavy, absolute, have, increase, reduce, dependence on, dependence upon, alcohol, drug, nicotine, dependence on | build trust, lose trust, trust issues, trust fund, trust in |
| Antonyms | independence, self-sufficiency, autonomy | distrusts, mistrusts, doubt |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'independence', Used with incorrect prepositions (should be 'dependence on', not 'dependence of'), Mixing up noun and verb forms ('depend' vs 'dependence') | Confused with 'trusts' as a legal term (financial accounts)., Using 'trust' instead of 'trusts' when referring to multiple entities., Incorrectly using 'trust' for non-personal contexts. |
| Usage notes | Use 'dependence' in discussions about addiction, relationships, or support systems. It's more formal than 'need' and should be used in academic or serious contexts, but can also apply informally. | Use 'trust' in personal contexts when referring to people, and more formally when referring to organizations or systems. Avoid it in highly formal documents. |
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Frequently asked questions: Dependence vs Trusts
What's the difference between Dependence and Trusts?
Dependence: When someone needs something or someone else to function or be okay. Trusts: Beliefs about the honesty or reliability of someone or something.
Which is more common: Dependence and Trusts?
Trusts is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Dependence: Her financial dependence on her parents made her reluctant to move out. Trusts: She has always placed her trust in her best friend.
Can I use Dependence and Trusts interchangeably?
Not always. Dependence and Trusts are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.