Oh gosh... this isn't right. I didn't even relize this untill some dude expressed concerns over it in a Taxation class. So I had to go back and learn bit of grammar...argggggh.. that sucks.
We see these two words...ah no these two ways spellings this particular word,pronounced almost in the same way, every where, most commonly on documents related to Income-tax. DEPENDANT or DEPENDENT??? Which is the right spelling for this word?
I searched all over, internet, books, dictionaries.... and now I have a clear picture.
We see these two words...ah no these two ways spellings this particular word,pronounced almost in the same way, every where, most commonly on documents related to Income-tax. DEPENDANT or DEPENDENT??? Which is the right spelling for this word?
I searched all over, internet, books, dictionaries.... and now I have a clear picture.
The British Way
If it's spelled DEPENDANT, it is used as a noun. It means a person depends on other person for support.
Example: He has three DEPENDANTS, his wife and two children
If it's spelled DEPENDENT, it is used as an adjective. It means relying on or requiring the aid of another for support.
Example:
A dog is DEPENDENT upon its owner for food.
A single mother with two DEPENDENT children......(Tax)
or controlled by, varying with.
Example:
Our grades are DEPENDENT on the work we do.
Example: He has three DEPENDANTS, his wife and two children
If it's spelled DEPENDENT, it is used as an adjective. It means relying on or requiring the aid of another for support.
Example:
A dog is DEPENDENT upon its owner for food.
A single mother with two DEPENDENT children......(Tax)
or controlled by, varying with.
Example:
Our grades are DEPENDENT on the work we do.
The American Way
As usual, our neighbours don't want to make matters complicated. The noun, and the adjective drawn from the word 'DEPEND' are spelled the same way, 'DEPENDENT'
Examples:
He has three DEPENDENTS, his wife and two children- used as noun
A dog is DEPENDENT upon its owner for food- used as adjective
A single mother with two DEPENDENT children......(Tax)- used as adjective
Our grades are DEPENDENT on the work we do- used as adjective
Examples:
He has three DEPENDENTS, his wife and two children- used as noun
A dog is DEPENDENT upon its owner for food- used as adjective
A single mother with two DEPENDENT children......(Tax)- used as adjective
Our grades are DEPENDENT on the work we do- used as adjective
The Canadian way
I guess Canadians are influenced very much by both U.S. and U.K., and they want to be friends with both. I've seen the usage of DEPENDANT and DEPENDENT without any control. So to make sure in what context it is used, especially when we see 'DEPENDENT' we have to go back to our school days and bring back whatever we learned during Grammar lessons.
This little explaination from MSN Encarta may help you.
Do not confuse 'DEPENDANT' with 'DEPENDENT' which has the same pronounciation. The adjective derived from the verb 'DEPEND' is always spelled 'DEPENDENT' in both British and U.S. English.
Example: The young birds are still DEPENDENT on their parents.
The noun meaning 'somebody who is supported financially by another' is usually spelled 'DEPENDENT' in U.S. English and 'DEPENDANT' in British English.
Example: A woman with no DEPENDENTS (U.S.), A woman with no DEPENDANTS (U.K.)
This little explaination from MSN Encarta may help you.
Do not confuse 'DEPENDANT' with 'DEPENDENT' which has the same pronounciation. The adjective derived from the verb 'DEPEND' is always spelled 'DEPENDENT' in both British and U.S. English.
Example: The young birds are still DEPENDENT on their parents.
The noun meaning 'somebody who is supported financially by another' is usually spelled 'DEPENDENT' in U.S. English and 'DEPENDANT' in British English.
Example: A woman with no DEPENDENTS (U.S.), A woman with no DEPENDANTS (U.K.)
Sources
http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861603806/dependant.html
http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861603810/dependent.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dependant
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dependant
and
Newbury House Dictionary of American English
http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861603806/dependant.html
http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861603810/dependent.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dependant
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dependant
and
Newbury House Dictionary of American English
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