The phrase "were dependent upon" has a complex spelling due to the presence of several phonemes. The first sound, /w/, is created by rounding your lips and blowing air out while your vocal cords produce a sound. The next sound, /ɜːr/, requires pronouncing the letter "e" and adding a slight "r" sound afterward. The final sound, /dɪˈpendənt əˈpɒn/, can be broken down into several parts, including the short "i" sound in "dependent" and the schwa sound in "upon". Altogether, the phrase may be challenging to spell for non-native English speakers.
"Was dependent upon" is a phrase commonly used to express a state of reliance or dependency. When something or someone "was dependent upon" something else, it means that the former was relying on or requiring the latter for support, sustenance, or success. This phrase suggests a sense of necessity or obligation towards the thing or entity that is being depended on.
To understand the meaning more comprehensively, one can analyze the individual words comprising the phrase. "Were" is the past tense form of the verb "to be," indicating that it refers to a previous point in time. "Dependent" is an adjective derived from the noun "dependency," which signifies the state of relying on someone or something. Lastly, "upon" is a preposition denoting the object or source being relied upon.
So, when something "was dependent upon" something else, it signifies a previous circumstance wherein the subject was relying on or requiring that specific person, entity, or factor for sustenance, support, or success. This phrase is often used to highlight the interdependence or interconnectedness between two or more elements, emphasizing the vital role played by the thing being depended on in the overall functioning or outcome. It conveys a sense of indispensability and suggests that the subject's well-being or accomplishment hinged on the reliability and availability of the object of dependency.