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It depends…

“Yes” and “No” are two of the first words that students learn in English. However, there is a third way to answer that expresses a condition: It depends.

A: Do you want me to pick you up some socks at the supermarket?

B: It depends on what colour they are. I don’t like green socks.

A: Are you still thinking of buying a TV?

B: It depends on how much it costs. I can’t afford more than $500 for a TV right now.

A: Would you like to go to the concert with us on Tuesday?

B: It depends on when the concert is. I have to wake up early on Wednesday.

A: Let’s go camping this weekend?

B: It depends on who else is going. I can’t stand Jane, and if she goes, I’m not.

A: Are you still up for the game on Friday?

B: It depends on where the game is. My car is in the shop*, so I can’t go very far.

*shop = repair shop

A: Will you meet me on Wednesday?

B: It depends on why you want to meet. I’m pretty busy on Wednesday. Is it urgent?

A: How about going to the movie with us tomorrow afternoon?

B: It depends on how long the movie is. I have to be somewhere else at six.

A: Can you make it to hockey on Thursday?

B: It depends on whether or not I have to work that night.

A: Are you in for playing ultimate this Saturday?

B: It depends on whether it rains or not.

Answer the following questions with ‘It depends on…”

1. How about going skiing this weekend?

It depends on ______,

2. Would you like to go to the concert this Friday night?

It depends on ______,

3. Are you interested in having a blind date with Kathy?

It depends on ______,

4. Do you like men with long hair?

It depends on ______,

5. Is Tanya going to come to the party?

It depends on ______,

6. Should I bring anything when I come to your place on Monday?

It depends on ______,

7. Would you break the law?

It depends on ______,

8. Do you like going out with big groups of people?

It depends on ______,

9. What do you think of men crying?

It depends on ______,

10. Do you like staying up all night?

It depends on ______,

Another similar pattern is “depending on…, might”

Depending on the weather, I might go camping this weekend.

Depending on the temperature, I might go skiing this weekend.

Depending on whether or not I get a raise, I might stay at this job next year.

Depending on whether or not Elaine says “Yes”, Jerry might get married next year.

Depending on how long the movie is, I might go to it.

Depending on what you want to do when we get there, Joel might go on the trip next summer.

It depends can also be used like this.

It depends on the weather. If it’s sunny, I’ll go. If it isn’t, I won’t.

It depends on how I’m feeling that day. If I feel good, I’ll go.

It depends on how much it costs. If it costs less than $10, I’ll go.

It depends on what’s playing. If the Lord of the Rings is showing, I’ll go.

It depends on when the game is. If it’s after 6, I’ll go.

It depends on who’s going. If Tanya’s going, I’m not.

It depends on where you’re going. If you’re going to Tony Roma’s, I’m in.

Some Quotes with ‘depends’

Luck always seems to be against the man who depends on it. Unknown

Your true value depends entirely on what you are compared with. Bob Wells

The fascination of shooting as a sport depends almost wholly on whether you are at the right or wrong end of the gun. P. G. Wodehouse

Happiness depends upon ourselves. Aristotle

It all depends on how we look at things, and not on how they are themselves. Carl Jung

Pair Work

Why is each quote funny or interesting?

Do you agree with the quotes by Jung and Aristotle? Why or why not?

Was there ever a time you depended on luck? When? What happened?

Whom do you depend on? For what do you depend on him/her?

Who depends on you? For what does s/he depend on you?

Teacher suggestion: Playing the game, “A question of Scruples” is a great way to practice ‘it depends’.