Dependant vs. Dependent: What's the Difference?
The words dependant and dependent might cause some confusion due to their similar spellings and meanings, but they have distinct uses in modern English. Dependant is most commonly used as a noun in British English to refer to a person who depends on another for support, especially financially. Dependent, on the other hand, serves as both an adjective and a noun, with its adjectival form widely accepted across American and British English to describe something requiring someone or something else for support or subsistence.
How do you use the word dependant in a sentence?
Dependant is typically used in British English to refer to someone who relies on another person for financial support. The term is nearly always a noun, representing an individual, often a child or a partner, who is not financially independent.
Examples of dependant in a sentence
- In the UK, tax benefits are available for those with dependants under the age of 17.
- The insurance policy included coverage for both the policyholder and their dependants.
- He had to work two jobs to support his three dependants.
How do you use the word dependent in a sentence?
Dependent can be used as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it describes someone or something that relies on another for support. As a noun, particularly in American English, it refers to someone who is financially supported by another, comparable to the British use of dependant.
Examples of dependent in a sentence
- Her mood seemed highly dependent on the weather.
- As a dependent of a military veteran, she had access to additional educational benefits.
- The growth of the plant is dependent on both sunlight and adequate watering.
Dependant and dependent definition, parts of speech, and pronunciation
Dependant definition:
A dependant is a noun referring to a person who is supported by another, particularly in the context of financial affairs.
Dependant parts of speech:
Dependant pronunciation:
Dependant is phonetically spelled [di-pen-dant], with emphasis on the second syllable.
Dependent definition:
As an adjective, dependent describes something that relies on something else, whereas as a noun, it refers to someone who relies on another, primarily for financial support.
Dependent parts of speech:
Dependent pronunciation:
Dependent is phonetically spelled [dɪˈpɛndənt], with emphasis on the second syllable and pronounced identically to dependant.
A dependant is a noun referring to a person who is supported by another, particularly in the context of financial affairs.
Dependant parts of speech:
- Noun: She listed her son and her elderly mother as dependants on the tax return.
Dependant pronunciation:
Dependant is phonetically spelled [di-pen-dant], with emphasis on the second syllable.
Dependent definition:
As an adjective, dependent describes something that relies on something else, whereas as a noun, it refers to someone who relies on another, primarily for financial support.
Dependent parts of speech:
- Adjective: His success was seemingly dependent upon his family's connections.
- Noun: Each dependent on her medical insurance will be covered up to the age of 26.
Dependent pronunciation:
Dependent is phonetically spelled [dɪˈpɛndənt], with emphasis on the second syllable and pronounced identically to dependant.
Dependant vs. Dependent in a nutshell
In summary, dependant is chiefly a British noun describing someone who relies on another, while dependent is both an adjective universally describing reliant conditions and a noun specifically in American English for a person who is financially supported by another. Although both terms are pronounced the same, the choice between them often depends on the regional spelling preference and whether it is used as a noun or an adjective.
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