Depends on the situation vs Depends on the situations

Both phrases are correct, but used in different contexts. 'Depends on the situation' is the more common and idiomatic expression, referring to a single specific situation. 'Depends on the situations' could be used when discussing multiple different situations.

Explained by Miss E.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: August 02, 2024

Depends on the situation

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate that the outcome or decision is influenced by a particular circumstance or context.

Examples:

The best approach depends on the situation.
Whether we go out or stay in depends on the situation.

Show examples from the web [+]

It depends on the situation then.
Well, I suppose it depends on the situation.
But the value of the guarantees depends on the situation.
It kind of depends on the situation.
The end date depends on the situation at the time of the national judgment.
In addition, the supply of RDF waste for export varies from year to year and depends on the situation on the international market. The situation varies as well for different categories of waste.
Depends on the situation.
But economic and social cohesion depends on the situation applying in the region concerned.
The likely reaction of importers, distributors or retailers to the cost increase following the imposition of measures will depend on the situation of each Member State.
There will be upside risks, but what we do about this depends on how the situation develops.
This value depends on the economic situation of the company.
Rating requirements depend on the local situation and may significantly differ from one country to another.
Since the protection needed always depends on the factual situation, consular protection should not be limited to the situations specifically mentioned in this Directive.
Finally I would like to stress that there is potential for increased cooperation with Zimbabwe, but this will clearly depend on how the situation develops there.
The definition of the health care unit in which the cluster occurs will depend on the local situation.
It depends on the political situation, the level of democratisation, the character of the society.
Obviously, the scope of ECHO's involvement will depend on the security situation and the humanitarian working conditions.
The choice of the measures to be used by the competent authorities should depend on the epidemiological situation in the Member State concerned.
These factors, in turn, also depend on the driving situation as explained in ISO/TS 16951.
The definition of the health care unit in which the cluster occurs will depend on the local situation.

Alternatives:

depends on the circumstances
depends on the context
depends on the scenario
depends on the conditions
depends on the environment

Depends on the situations

This phrase is correct but less common in English.

This phrase could be used when referring to multiple different situations where outcomes or decisions are influenced by each of them.