Hi guys, I saw someone ask about the difference between "rely" and "depend".

Someone (let's call him A) answered him/her like this

"rely" means that you don't have the ability to do it and need the help of someone else. "depend" is that you are capable of doing it but unable to do so because of some other reason.

However, another guy answered like this (let's call him B)

My answer would be very different, sorry. For me, to "rely" on someone means you can count on them. To "depend" on someone means you have to have what they offer you, without which it would be a significant problem. Examples: "He’s trustworthy; I can always rely on him." "I totally depend on him; if he disappeared tomorrow, I would be in big trouble."

Can you please tell me who is correct? Thank you:)

Question

Hi guys, I saw someone ask about the difference between "rely" and "depend".

Someone (let's call him A) answered him/her like this

"rely" means that you don't have the ability to do it and need the help of someone else. "depend" is that you are capable of doing it but unable to do so because of some other reason.

However, another guy answered like this (let's call him B)

My answer would be very different, sorry. For me, to "rely" on someone means you can count on them. To "depend" on someone means you have to have what they offer you, without which it would be a significant problem. Examples: "He’s trustworthy; I can always rely on him." "I totally depend on him; if he disappeared tomorrow, I would be in big trouble."

Can you please tell me who is correct? Thank you:)

Answer

The second answer would be more correct in my opinion. The differences in words comes from more of a societal context. Telling someone you rely on them and telling them you depend on them has two different connotations.

Answer

'A' suggests I RELY on someone because I can't do it myself. Well, if I can't do it then I hope I can rely on them to do it for me. However, quite often I RELY on people, animals, or machines, to do things that I CAN do perfectly well myself. I rely on the car wash to polish my car for me. I can do it myself, of course, but I am too lazy. It's, as someone else here has said, about being able to count on someone.

So I have to reject A and go for B.

Answer

Answer B seems a lot better to me, but it's always possible there's a context we're not considering.

Answer

Yeah, Jimmy. Perspectives. B is correct and A is correct from alternate perspectives. Passive voice is a likely a factor here, too. But I am using deduction withoit all the conetual clues.

Explaining language is a matter of expertise, time and money. I can be relied upon to provide the expertise and time and - if you can be depended upon to supply the money - we can engage further in all of these conundra to the benefit of us both. A transaction worthy of my time and your money is reliably likely to be dependent on your grasp of these concepts, however.

It's all about persepctives.