depend on

[jiang]

Dear teachers,

Please read the following sentence:

The beauty of Venice, which fascinates all the visitors, consists in the style of its ancient buildings.

Can I use 'depends on' in place of 'consists in'?

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

 

[MikeNewYork]

Dear teachers,

Please read the following sentence:

The beauty of Venice, which fascinates all the visitors, consists in the style of its ancient buildings.

Can I use 'depends on' in place of 'consists in'?

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

I don't think I would use "depends on" there. One could use "lies in" there.

 

[henry]

Dear teachers,

Please read the following sentence:

The beauty of Venice, which fascinates all the visitors, consists in the style of its ancient buildings.

Can I use 'depends on' in place of 'consists in'?

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

I agree with MikeNY.

I wouldn't either because if one used" depends on " here, it would then mean as if the beauty of Venice were only because of the style of its ancient buildings.

 

[Tdol]

I also wouldn't use 'consists in' in the first place. I'd go with Mike.;-)

 

[MikeNewYork]

I also wouldn't use 'consists in' in the first place. I'd go with Mike.;-)

It is unusual, but it fits one of the examples in the AHD:

con·sist (kən-sĭst')
intr.v., -sist·ed, -sist·ing, -sists.
To be made up or composed: New York City consists of five boroughs. See Usage Note at include.
To have a basis; reside or lie: The beauty of the artist's style consists in its simplicity.
To be compatible; accord: The information consists with her account.

 

[Tdol]

It doesn't sound very good to my BE ears. ;-)

 

[MikeNewYork]

It doesn't sound very good to my BE ears. ;-)

Only slightly better to my ears. :wink:

 

[jiang]

Could you please tell me what did you mean?

Mike didn't say he wouldn't use 'consist in'. Did you mean 'depend on'?
Jiang

I also wouldn't use 'consists in' in the first place. I'd go with Mike.;-)

 

[jiang]

Before I asked you the question I consulted the meaning of 'depend on' in my dictionaries. One definition is 'to be determined by'. That's why I asked the question. Do you think you could explain the reasons? Is it collocation or something else?

Jiang
It seems

Dear teachers,

Please read the following sentence:

The beauty of Venice, which fascinates all the visitors, consists in the style of its ancient buildings.

Can I use 'depends on' in place of 'consists in'?

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

I don't think I would use "depends on" there. One could use "lies in" there.

 

[Tdol]

Re: Could you please tell me what did you mean?

Mike didn't say he wouldn't use 'consist in'. Did you mean 'depend on'?
Jiang

I also wouldn't use 'consists in' in the first place. I'd go with Mike.;-)

I meant I'd say 'lies in' rather than consists\depends, neither of which appeal to me.

 

[jiang]

Re: Could you please tell me what did you mean?


Thank you very much for your reply. Now I see.
However, this is too bad because the sentence is from a high quality exercise book. Old problem arose again.

Best wishes,

Jiang

Mike didn't say he wouldn't use 'consist in'. Did you mean 'depend on'?
Jiang

I also wouldn't use 'consists in' in the first place. I'd go with Mike.;-)

I meant I'd say 'lies in' rather than consists\depends, neither of which appeal to me.

 

[jiang]

That's exactly what I understood the sentence.

Best wishes,

Jiang

Dear teachers,

Please read the following sentence:

The beauty of Venice, which fascinates all the visitors, consists in the style of its ancient buildings.

Can I use 'depends on' in place of 'consists in'?

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

I agree with MikeNY.

I wouldn't either because if one used" depends on " here, it would then mean as if the beauty of Venice were only because of the style of its ancient buildings.