Hinge on means depend on one deciding condition: our decision hinges on whether the room is available on Friday. A hinge is the metal joint a whole door hangs on. People say it about plans, decisions and plots: the whole plan hinged on getting permission. It sounds stronger than depend on.
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hinge on / upon something; hinge on whether / how / getting something
- The outdoor event hinges on the weather.
- Our decision hinges on whether the room is available on Friday.
- The whole plan hinged on getting permission to use the hall.
What changed
First versionThe launch hinges from the final delivery.
RevisionThe launch hinges on the final delivery.
A result seems to come from its cause, so hinges from appears. But hinge goes with on, just like depend: hinges on the final delivery. In formal writing, upon also works.
Depend on is ordinary dependence, including on many factors: prices depend on the season. Hinge on means everything rests on one point: the deal hinges on the bank's answer. Be affected by means there's some influence, but not necessarily a deciding one.
Your turn
Complete the expression for a decisive dependency: The trip hinges ___ everyone being free that weekend.
Show the answer
on — The deciding condition is introduced by on: hinges on everyone being free. From doesn't combine with hinge.
Describe a plan that depended entirely on one condition.
The picnic hinges on whether we can borrow a car for the afternoon.
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