2 syllables: de, pends. Stress on pends.
dip-ENDZ
/dɪˈpɛndz/
depends is pronounced dip-ENDZ (/dɪˈpɛndz/). It has two syllables (de-pends), with the stress on "pends". Depends is a plural-syllable verb form meaning to be contingent upon something or to rely on something. In everyday use it often appears in phrases like 'it depends on' or 'depends on the context.' The pronunciation centers on a light, unstressed final -s and a clear /dɪˈpɛndz/ or /dɪˈpɛndz/ pattern where the first syllable may bear stress depending on sentence placement.
Depends is a plural-syllable verb form meaning to be contingent upon something or to rely on something. In everyday use it often appears in phrases like 'it depends on' or 'depends on the context.' The pronunciation centers on a light, unstressed final -s and a clear /dɪˈpɛndz/ or /dɪˈpɛndz/ pattern where the first syllable may bear stress depending on sentence placement.
"It depends on the weather whether we go hiking."
"Her decision depends on the results of the test."
"Whether you arrive on time depends on traffic."
Pronounce it as /dɪˈpɛndz/ (US/UK: /dɪˈpendz/), with the stress on the second syllable. Start with a short /d/ followed by a lax /ɪ/ in the first syllable, then a clear /ˈpɛnd/ with a voiced /d/ in the second syllable, and end with a voiced /z/. Ensure the final /z/ is audible, not silent. Try mirroring a slight glide into /p/ before the /ɛ/ and finish with a crisp /dz/ to avoid a fricative slur.
Two frequent errors: (1) Over-weakening the final -s so it sounds like a voiceless /s/ instead of /dz/. Always voice the final consonant: /dz/. (2) Misplacing stress, saying /dɪˈpænds/ with the stress on the first syllable or flattening the /ɪ/ to a schwa. Aim for clear /dɪ/ and keep the second syllable strong: /ˈpɛnd/ in the middle. Practicing with minimal pairs helps fix these: it depends vs. depends on often clarifies the correct rhythm.
In US and UK, the core is /dɪˈpɛndz/ with the final -s pronounced as /dz/. Australian speech typically retains /dɪˈpendz/ with a slightly reduced vowel in the first syllable, and the rhoticity does not alter the -dz ending. The primary difference lies in vowel quality: US tends to a slightly higher /ɛ/ in the second syllable, while UK may feature a slightly tighter jaw and less diphthongal quality. Overall, the/shared core is /dɪˈpendz/, with subtle vowel shifts.
Two main challenges: the second-syllable vowel and the final voiced consonant cluster. The /ɪ/ in the first syllable is quick and reduced in fast speech, which can blur into /ɪ/ vs /ə/. The /ndz/ cluster at the end requires voicing and precise mouth closure; many learners devoice /z/ or mispronounce /dz/. Practicing the transition between /nd/ and /z/ with deliberate timing helps. Also, maintaining the stress on the second syllable in phrases is tricky when the word is not stressed in longer sentences.
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Depends derives from Latin dependere, meaning to hang from or hinge upon, formed from de- (down, away) + pendere (to hang). In medieval Latin usage, dependere meant to hang down or to depend on someone, implying reliance or support. The word entered English through Old French depends (past participle of dependre) and Latin branches, consolidating in Middle English with the sense of hinging or resting upon something. Over time, it broadened from a literal sense of hanging to a figurative meaning of being contingent or conditional. The modern verb depends is widely used in everyday speech, often as a function word signaling conditionality rather than a concrete action. First known English attestations appear in the 14th–15th centuries with similar senses to hinge on or be determined by something, evolving into contemporary usage with the common structure it depends on. The orthographic and phonetic evolution reflects reductions in unstressed syllables typical of English, producing the familiar pronunciation with a strong second syllable stress in most communicative contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "depends" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "depends" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "depends"
-nds sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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