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Prepositions after adjectives

dependent with on, upon, and for

Dependent usually takes on or the more formal upon. Dependent for appears in a different structure meaning reliant for a specific thing.

Quick answer

Which prepositions follow dependent?

Use dependent on in everyday English and dependent upon in formal style. Dependent for is possible when followed by the thing needed, often with on another noun later in the sentence.

Children are dependent on adults.
The result is dependent upon accurate data.
Many people are dependent for income on seasonal work.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
dependent on + person/thing

Showing reliance

Dependent on is the standard and most common pattern.

The business is dependent on exports.
She became dependent on medication.
2
dependent upon + person/thing

Using formal style

Dependent upon has the same meaning as dependent on but sounds more formal.

Progress is dependent upon cooperation.
3
dependent for + need + on + source

Specifying what is needed

Dependent for is used when naming the thing someone relies on.

The region is dependent for water on mountain rivers.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
dependent on
We are dependent on stable internet access.
standard everyday form
dependent upon
Success is dependent upon teamwork.
formal equivalent of dependent on
dependent for
Some families are dependent for food on aid programmes.
used before the thing needed
dependent of
The outcome is dependent of funding.
nonstandard in modern English

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using dependent for without the needed item

Dependent for usually names what is needed and is often followed by on.

✕ The company is dependent for investors. ✓ The company is dependent on investors.

Using dependent of

Modern English uses on or upon, not of.

✕ Children are dependent of adults. ✓ Children are dependent on adults.

Overusing upon in casual contexts

Upon is grammatical but formal.

✕ I'm dependent upon coffee at work. ✓ I'm dependent on coffee at work.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The economy is dependent ___ tourism.
2. Their success is dependent ___ careful preparation.
3. Many villages are dependent ___ electricity on nearby dams.

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Frequently asked questions

Is dependent upon more formal than dependent on?

Yes. Both are correct, but upon sounds more formal.

When do we use dependent for?

Use it when naming the thing needed, often followed by on a source or provider.

Can I say dependent of?

No. Dependent of is generally nonstandard in current English.

daily, for, daily, with, daily, in damaging to, for, of, in or as? damn about, near, for, to or as? "dangerous for" or "dangerous to"? "dark in", "dark for" or "dark of"? "daunting for" or "daunting to"? dead in, on, by, at or of? deadly to, in, for, of or with? "deaf to" or "deaf in"? dear to, in, for, of or as? deceased in, to, for, at or on? "decent in" or "decent for"?

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