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“Dependence” or “Dependents”

dependence / dependents are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

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Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

dependence d·ih·p·EH·n·d·ah·n·s

  • nounthe state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else.

dependents d·ih·p·EH·n·d·ah·n·t·s

No dictionary entry for this spelling — see the usage examples below for how it shows up in writing.

Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“dependence”

  • …will assume that the parametric dependence is continuous and differentiable, so…
  • …the shift of Hungarian political dependence away from the Austrians.
  • …was compromised by an increasing dependence on alcohol.
  • …vulnerability is complicated by the dependence of our DoD information systems…
  • …it has shifted toward a dependence on building automation.
  • …firmly in the state of dependence that she had found herself…
  • …that it involves an unacceptable dependence on metaphor.
  • Despite this growing dependence, Luxembourg did not participate in…
  • …sedative & treatment of opiate dependence and alcohol withdrawal symptoms).
  • The parametric dependence of the functions on the…

“dependents”

  • L-1 (Dependents of L-1 visa are qualified…
  • …was for employees and their dependents enrolled in the company's self-insured…
  • Dependents
  • …to Armed forces personnel, their dependents (immediate families), as well as…
  • Eligible dependents of employees of diplomatic missions,…
  • Benefits for Dependents of Armed Services Veterans (Select)
  • …caregivers, the unemployed and their dependents.
  • H (Dependents of H immigrants may qualify…
  • …dwellings for his wife, slaves, dependents and visitors.
  • …than 2,000 workers and their dependents lived in the prewar houses…

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

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