Introduction
The words dependant and dependent are often confused because they sound identical and relate to similar concepts. However, their usage varies depending on regional English conventions and grammatical roles.
Definitions
- Dependent (adjective): Relying on someone or something else for support, help, or existence.
Example: Children are dependent on their parents. - Dependant (noun): A person who relies on another for financial or emotional support.
Example: She listed her son as a dependant on her insurance policy.
British vs American English
In British English, "dependant" is commonly used as a noun, while "dependent" is used as an adjective.
In American English, "dependent" serves both as a noun and an adjective, and "dependant" is rarely used.
Therefore, if you're writing for a U.S. audience, stick with dependent in all cases.
For U.K., Canadian, or Australian audiences, use dependant when referring to a person.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is using "dependant" as an adjective (e.g., "He is a dependant child"), which is incorrect in most contexts. Remember: only use "dependant" as a noun—and primarily outside the U.S.
Quick Reference
- ✅ dependent = always correct as an adjective (worldwide)
- ✅ dependant = noun in British English
- ❌ dependant = avoid as an adjective
- 🇺🇸 In the U.S.: just use dependent for everything