It depends means that the answer is different in different situations. You start a reply with it when there is no simple answer: Do you work at weekends? It depends. To name the condition straight away, add on: It depends on the weather. The phrase is neutral; in IELTS Speaking, go on to explain what exactly it depends on.
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It depends.; It depends on + noun; it depends (on) what/how/whether + clause; That depends.
- I usually cycle to work, but it depends on the weather.
- How long does it take to learn to drive? It depends: some people need ten lessons, and others need forty.
- I'd love to come to the party, but it depends on what time I finish work.
What changed
First versionWhether we go hiking on Sunday depends from the weather.
RevisionWhether we go hiking on Sunday depends on the weather.
Depend is followed by on (upon in formal English), never from: depend on your parents, depend on the weather. Only the preposition has changed.
If the condition is in the same sentence, depends needs on: It depends on the price. Before what, how and whether, on is often dropped in conversation: It depends what you mean. And when you leave the choice to the other person, don't say it depends on you; say It's up to you: Pizza or sushi? It's up to you.
Your turn
How much is a taxi to the airport? ___ on the time of day; at night it's more expensive.
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It depends — Depend is an ordinary verb: with it as the subject, it simply takes -s, so it depends. It's depend mixes is with the verb, and English doesn't work that way.
Someone asks how many hours a week you study English. Answer with a sentence using it depends on. Say what it depends on and give two examples: how many hours in a busy week and how many in a quiet one.
It depends on my work schedule: in a busy week I study for two hours, and in a quiet week for about six.
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