dependendo

Dependendo is the gerúndio (present participle) form of the Portuguese verb depender and is used to express conditionality or dependency. It translates roughly as "depending on" in English and signals that the outcome of an action depends on a stated factor, typically introduced by de.

Etymology: Dependendo derives from depender, which comes from Latin dependere (de- + pendere), literally “to hang from” and figuratively “to rely on.” The gerund form retains that sense of ongoing dependence or condition.

Usage: In both Brazilian and European Portuguese, dependente can introduce an adverbial or conditional clause. It is commonly placed before the main clause and linked with de. It does not function as a noun and does not vary for person or number, as gerunds do not inflect. Examples illustrate its use with time, distance, weather, or other factors: Dependendo do tempo, a festa será realizada no parque; O preço varia dependendo da distância.

Notes: Dependendo is not the same as dependente (an adjective meaning dependent) or dependência (the noun form meaning dependence). It is a versatile tool for expressing contingency in statements about plans, costs, or outcomes.

See also: depender; dependência; dependente; gerúndio.