# Dependencies - looking for the right word **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 24, 2014, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612 "2014-01-24T15:00:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/1 "2014-01-24T15:00:45Z")
I’m looking for a word (or less wordy term) meaning ‘is depended upon by…’ In same sense that: [ul] [li]A is the parent of B[/li][li]so B is the child of A[/li][/ul] what is the correct term to use in: [ul] [li]B is dependent upon A[/li][li]so A is ??? B[/li][/ul] It’s not as simple as re-wording the sentence to talk about it from the point of view of the dependent side - I have a specific need to be able to express it in either direction. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/2 "2014-01-24T15:04:44Z")
A determines B? A influences B? ---
**Author:** ![Ken001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/3 "2014-01-24T15:10:26Z")
A is responsible for B. ---
**Author:** ![babygoat666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2acd7d/32.png) [@babygoat666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/babygoat666)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/4 "2014-01-24T15:10:51Z")
Prerequisite? ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/5 "2014-01-24T15:13:27Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I’m looking for a word (or less wordy term) meaning ‘is depended upon by…’ > > In same sense that: > [ul] > [li]A is the parent of B[/li][li]so B is the child of A[/li][/ul] > > what is the correct term to use in: > [ul] > [li]B is dependent upon A[/li][li]so A is ??? B[/li][/ul] > > It’s not as simple as re-wording the sentence to talk about it from the point of view of the dependent side - I have a specific need to be able to express it in either direction. I suggest “A is supporting B” or “A supports B” ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/6 "2014-01-24T15:14:05Z")
“Guardian of” or “provider for,” in the context of human relationships. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/7 "2014-01-24T15:18:13Z")
I’d go with “supporting”. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/8 "2014-01-24T15:32:26Z")
To put this into more useful context - I’m trying to write the high level design definition for a database that will manage a web of time-based dependencies, costs, resource requirements, commitments etc (a bit like Project management, but not exactly like Microsoft Project) I can easily say that _this instance of B is dependent upon A_ What I’m having trouble saying is _this new instance of A will mean that all Bs will become dependent upon it - including Bs which come into being after this point_ ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/9 "2014-01-24T15:38:05Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > To put this into more useful context - I’m trying to write the high level design definition for a database that will manage a web of time-based dependencies, costs, resource requirements, commitments etc (a bit like Project management, but not exactly like Microsoft Project) > > I can easily say that _this instance of B is dependent upon A_ > > What I’m having trouble saying is _this new instance of A will mean that all Bs will become dependent upon it - including Bs which come into being after this point_ A will define B? A will determine B? ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/10 "2014-01-24T15:38:55Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > To put this into more useful context - I’m trying to write the high level design definition for a database that will manage a web of time-based dependencies, costs, resource requirements, commitments etc (a bit like Project management, but not exactly like Microsoft Project) > > I can easily say that _this instance of B is dependent upon A_ > > What I’m having trouble saying is _this new instance of A will mean that all Bs will become dependent upon it - including Bs which come into being after this point_ Would you be happy with “this new instances of A must support all Bs, including those created after this point”? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/11 "2014-01-24T15:42:22Z")
I think the word I wish existed is either prepend or propend (actually both of those exist, but neither mean what I want). ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/12 "2014-01-24T15:43:24Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Would you be happy with “this new instances of A must support all Bs, including those created after this point”? Sorry - no - it needs to be a term shorter than ‘is depended upon by’ ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/13 "2014-01-24T15:45:58Z")
Actually, it might be (an uncommon use of) _impend_ ``` B depends upon A A impends upon B ``` ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/14 "2014-01-24T16:00:18Z")
A is required for B A is a prerequisite for B A is a precondition for B A is a critical path item for B ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/15 "2014-01-24T16:11:15Z")
> [@Ken001](#): > > A is responsible for B. I’ve looked over the list and this is what I would have said. Other than “sharing a dependency” or “co-dependent” which are both too long. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/16 "2014-01-24T18:29:33Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Sorry - no - it needs to be a term shorter than ‘is depended upon by’ I’m confused - isn’t “supports” "shorter than “is depended on by”? ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/17 "2014-01-24T19:03:58Z")
Requirement. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/18 "2014-01-24T19:15:39Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > I’m confused - isn’t “supports” "shorter than “is depended on by”? Nevermind. Another couple of suggestions A undergirds B A sustains B ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/19 "2014-01-24T21:04:25Z")
Perhaps there’s a lesson here in how Microsoft describes the dependencies in system services (not that those nerds know much about English – I’m constantly annoyed by the flagrantly bad grammar in “please wait while the list is being populated”\* :D). There are both dependent and depended-upon services and they are described very simply under the category of “dependencies” – i.e.- one list that consists of “this service depends on the following system components” and another list consisting of “the following system components depend on this service”. Not really sure what you’re trying to say with regard to a “new instance of A”, but I would translate that sentence along the lines of: if there is a new instance of A (say, one with different interfaces), then obviously all its dependent components are affected. Sometimes simple language leads to greatest clarity, even if more words are involved. * * * - It should, of course, be either “Please wait while the list is populated” or if they prefer, “Please wait; the list is being populated” but not melding the two into some ungrammatical Frankensteinian horror. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612/20 "2014-01-24T22:51:50Z")
Seems like you’re saying that a new instance of A automatically **inherits** or **assumes control of** all current and future instances of B. Or, a new instance of A **replaces** the previous instance. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dependencies-looking-for-the-right-word/679612.md?page=2)