What's the Difference Between 'Dependant' and 'Dependent'?
In this blog post we look at when to use dependant and when to use dependent.
'Dependant' or 'Dependent'?
Dependent and dependant are two words that are often confused because they are similar in spelling and pronunciation. However, they are different word types and have different meanings.
Dependent is an adjective that means relying on someone or something else for support or assistance.
Dependant is a noun that refers to someone who relies on someone or something else for support or assistance.
So, while both words relate to the idea of relying on someone or something else, dependent is an adjective that describes the quality of being dependent, while dependant is a noun that refers to a person who is dependent.
Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between dependent and dependant:
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"The young child is dependent on her parents for food, shelter, and protection." (In this sentence, dependent is an adjective that describes the child's reliance on her parents for these things.)
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"The company has many dependants, including its employees, customers, and suppliers." (In this sentence, dependant is a noun that refers to the people or groups that rely on the company for support or assistance.)
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"The country is dependent on its exports for economic growth." (In this sentence, dependent is an adjective that describes the country's reliance on its exports.)
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"The company has several dependants, including its shareholders and investors." (In this sentence, dependant is a noun that refers to the people or groups that rely on the company for support or assistance.)
Examples of Dependant in a Sentence
Here are ten sentences using the word dependant:
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The company has many dependants, including its employees, customers, and suppliers.
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The young child is a dependant of her parents.
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The company has several dependants, including its shareholders and investors.
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The elderly man is a dependant of the state, receiving financial assistance to cover his basic needs.
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The organization provides support to dependants of military personnel who have been deployed overseas.
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The family has two dependants, both of whom are in school full-time.
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The organization provides housing and financial assistance to single mothers and their dependants.
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The company offers medical insurance coverage to its employees and their dependants.
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The charity provides food and shelter to homeless people and their dependants.
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The company offers employee benefits, including paid time off and health insurance for dependants.
Examples of Dependent in a Sentence
Here are ten sentences using the word dependent:
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The young child is dependent on her parents for food, shelter, and protection.
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The company is dependent on its customers for revenue.
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The country is dependent on its exports for economic growth.
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The company is dependent on its suppliers for raw materials.
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The organization is dependent on donations to fund its programs.
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The elderly man is dependent on the state for financial assistance to cover his basic needs.
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The family is dependent on the income of the breadwinner to pay the bills.
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The organization is dependent on volunteers to carry out its mission.
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The company is dependent on its employees to run smoothly.
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The country is dependent on imports for certain goods and services.
