Cool MateDepend vs Rely
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Depend
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Rely
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
| Depend | Rely | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈpend/","/dɪˈpendz/","/dɪˈpendɪd/","/dɪˈpendɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈpend/","/dɪˈpendz/","/dɪˈpendɪd/","/dɪˈpendɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈlaɪ/","/rɪˈlaɪz/","/rɪˈlaɪd/","/rɪˈlaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈlaɪ/","/rɪˈlaɪz/","/rɪˈlaɪd/","/rɪˈlaɪɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | to need something or someone for support | To depend on someone or something for help or support. |
| Example | Starting salary varies from £26 000 to £30 500, depending on experience. | I can always rely on my best friend. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | depend on, depend heavily, depend entirely, depend largely, depend solely | rely on someone, rely heavily, rely mostly, rely primarily |
| Antonyms | independent, self-sufficient | distrust, neglect, abandon |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'depend' with 'dependant'., Using 'depend' without 'on' before the object., Saying 'depend of' instead of 'depend on'. | Mistakenly use 'rely' without 'on', Confused with 'lie' in context, Using 'rely' with inanimate objects incorrectly |
| Usage notes | Use 'depend' when talking about reliance. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. Avoid using it when discussing certainty, as that would be 'rely'. | Commonly used in both spoken and written English. Be careful not to confuse with 'trust'. Not suitable in very formal contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Depend vs Rely
What's the difference between Depend and Rely?
Depend: to need something or someone for support Rely: To depend on someone or something for help or support.
Which is more advanced: Depend and Rely?
Rely is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Depend and Rely the same CEFR level?
Depend: A2, Rely: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Depend and Rely?
Depend: verb, Rely: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Depend: Starting salary varies from £26 000 to £30 500, depending on experience. Rely: I can always rely on my best friend.
Can I use Depend and Rely interchangeably?
Not always. Depend and Rely 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.